Texas Water Day 2010

Texas Water Day experienced its first "snow day" in 2010, when much of the East Coast, including Washington D.C., was inundated with more than two feet of snow the week the event was scheduled (February 9 and 10). As a result, Texas Water Day was postponed and rescheduled for March 24th. By that date, the skies were clear, temperatures were mild, and the cherry blossoms were blooming!

This was the 6th Annual Texas Water Day coordinated by the Texas Water Conservation Association's Federal Affairs Committee and the Texas Water Development Board. The event was held the week after the U.S. House of Representatives held a contentious vote on health care reform legislation, so congressional offices seemed receptive to discussing something as refreshing as water.

Seven teams representing different regions of Texas, plus one statewide team, spent the day meeting with Texas' congressional delegation. While some meetings were held with congressional staff, a large number of meetings were held with the elected representatives. They included: Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis), Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Lewisville), Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler), Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall), Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Dallas), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas), Rep. Kenny Marchant (R- Coppell), Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Lubbock), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Lake Jackson), Rep. Ted Poe (R-Humble), Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso), Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-San Antonio), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Dallas), and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon).

Also, again this year, the chairwoman of the House Committee on Natural Resources' Water and Power subcommittee, Grace Napolitano (D-CA), spoke to a large group of Texas Water Day participants. She said, "Water is gold, and that means jobs." She said she supports more federal funding for water and wastewater projects as a way to improve the country's infrastructure while creating jobs.

After a long day of discussing the state's key water issues, Texas Water Day participants hosted a reception for the Texas congressional delegation, their staff and other Federal agencies involved in water resources. U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady and Rep. Rodriguez attended and made remarks, as did several key staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geologic Survey, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For more information on Texas Water Day 2010, please see the attached links:

• Texas Water Day 2010 Sponsors
• Texas Water Day 2010 Participating Entities
• Issue Papers:
  • Summary: Priority Water Issues for Texas
  • U.S.G.S. Program Funding
  • Controlling Invasive Aquatic and Riparian Species
  • Direction of Federal Water Policy
  • Water Reuse/Water Conservation/Water Desalination
  • Levee Certification, Dam Safety, and Floodplain Management

2010 Texas Water Day Photo Gallery