Texas Legislature to Address Water Crisis

Even though the drought appears to be over, a water crisis in Texas still exists says Gene Hall, Public Relations Director for Texas Farm Bureau.

“The drought of 2009 is over, and 2010 is looking more promising,” Hall says. “Yet the fear of drought in years to come looms in the minds of all Texans.”

Hall recently published a blog post on the water crisis in Texas.

He writes that lawmakers will be dealing with several issues related to water in Texas, which will be discussed in the coming months on the Texas Ag Talks blog. Groundwater and who owns it is the issue Hall tackles this week.

“[Texas] state law is clear that groundwater is the vested, real property of private landowners; yet some continue to challenge the law. Property owners will have to defend and reaffirm their ownership of this property. The battle will be waged on the legal, regulatory and legislative fronts,” says Hall.

“Private ownership of groundwater encourages good stewardship and promotes accountability,” he continues. “Private landowners and their productive open land are keys to an effectively functioning water cycle. Their active and informed stewardship of land and water resources benefits all Texans.”

Even though groundwater is the property of landowners, groundwater conservation districts still exist to ensure decisions made about water supply and usage are local.

“Still, the question of ownership must be settled so that groundwater districts are consistent in their interpretation of the law all over the state,” concludes Hall.

To read Gene Hall’s entry on the Texas water crisis in its entirety, visit the Texas Ag Talks blog at http://www.txfb.org/TxAgTalks.

About Texas Farm Bureau:
The Texas Farm Bureau is committed to improving the lives of America’s farmers through advocacy, education and awareness. It is our goal to tell not only members, but the general public, about TFB’s mission and commitment to providing a voice for farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and everyone interested in preserving and protecting this way of life. Learn more about the Texas Farm Bureau on the Web:

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Contact Information

Gene Hall

Public Relations Director

Texas Farm Bureau

Contact via E-mail