Edwards Aquifer, Special - 71st R.S. (1989)

• The committee shall be assigned to:
  (a) review and study scientific data on the Edwards Aquifer from various public agencies, including the Bureau of Economic Geology, The Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Water Commission, the Edwards Underground Water District, and the United States Geological Survey;
  (b) consider priorities for the uses of the Edwards Aquifer, considering its storage capacity, its recharge and retention capabilities, and its ability to transmit water and provide water of high quality;
  (c) explore and suggest alternatives for supplying adequate water for regional needs at reasonable costs;
  (d) determine the effects of limiting groundwater withdrawals from the Edwards Aquifer to an amount less than average annual recharge;
  (e) consider allocation mechanisms for the aquifer;
  (f) consider whether amendments to existing water law are needed;
  (g) determine the feasibility of pumping to augment or replace springflow for the purpose of meeting downstream need without waste, the impact on downstream needs, and whether additional studies should be contracted for as funds are available;
  (h) examine present institutional arrangements for water resource management in the region of the Edwards Aquifer and hydrologically connected river basins, and examine alternative institutional arrangements;
  (i) examine alternative methods of managing the aquifer, with and without imposing limits on pumping;
  (j) review the costs, benefits, and feasibility of recharge and other projects, including consideration of fair methods of funding such projects;
  (k) review and consider modifications to water rights and policies affecting development of surface water in the western part of the Edwards Aquifer region, and
  (l) investigate and make recommendations on any other aspects of groundwater management, that, in the judgment of the committee would be useful to the legislature's decision making.

Note:
Created by a proclamation issued by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House under authority vested in HCR 142. See House and Senate Committees 71st 72nd Leg., L1800.1 p926.
House members appointed 9/15/1989. (Letters from Gibson D. (Gib) Lewis, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, September 15, 1989. See House Speaker Lewis Appointments, L1801.1 P926a 1985-92 2.)
Senate members appointed 9/25/1989. (Letters from William P. Hobby, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, September 25, 1989. See Lieutenant Governor Hobby Appointments 70th-71st, L1803.1 P926la 1987-90 3.)