kody bessent
TRANSCRIPT
Funding for Groundwater Management at the GCD Level
Kody BessentHPWD Legislative Affairs
What comes to mind when you consider funding for Groundwater Management?
How are these resources used?Conservation effortsResearch and developmentEducation and outreach
Current funding mechanisms for groundwater management
Federal Funding OpportunitiesUSDA NRCS Conservation Innovation GrantsUSDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership
ProgramsUSDOI WaterSMART Title XVI GrantsOgallala Aquifer Initiative Program
Current funding mechanisms for groundwater management State Funding Opportunities
TWDB Conservation Grants, LoansHigh Plains UWCD, Mesquite GCD, Panhandle GCD, North Plains GCD, Coastal Bend GCD, Brewster GCD, Brush Country GCD, Mesa UWCD, South Plains UWCD, EAA, Lower Neches Valley Authority
SWIFT FundingFirst round of funding approved at July 2015 TWDB board meeting
Current funding mechanisms for groundwater management
Public/Private PartnershipsLake Columbia Reservoir
Public/Public PartnershipsBrazos Valley Water SmartHPWD and City of Abernathy
However, by and large, funding for groundwater management at the GCD level largely depends on the individual assessment method.
6%
32%
62%
TAGD GCD Membership Assessment Method
BothFeeTax
82%
18%TAGD vs Non TAGD GCDs in Texas
TAGD GCDs Non TAGD GCDs
59%41%
Percent of Texas Counties Represented by TAGD Membership
Counties Coverged by TAGD MembershipCounties Not Covered by TAGD Membership
66%34%
Single vs Multi County GCDs in TAGD Membership
Single County GCDs in TAGD MembershipMulti County GCDs in TAGD Membership
3%15%
14%
3%
17%
24%
10%
5%9%
Percent Total Funding for Groundwater Management by TAGD Region Far West Texas Area
Edwards Carrizo Area
Lower Edwards Trinity Area
Lower Gulf Coast Area
North Texas Area
Ogallala Area
Upper Carrizo Area
Upper Edwards Trinity Area
Upper Gulf Coast Area
3%
26%
12%
3%14%
21%
9%
4%8%
Baseline funding 10% by TAGD Membership Regions for RWP
Far West Texas Area
Edwards Carrizo Area
Lower Edwards Trinity Area
Lower Gulf Coast Area
North Texas Area
Ogallala Area
Upper Carrizo Area
Upper Edwards Trinity Area
Upper Gulf Coast Area
How do we secure future funding for groundwater management? What are some recent examples?
HB30 - $2 million over the next biennium for brackish groundwater research
SB1356 - amended the Tax Code to exempt certain water-conserving products and Water Sense products from the sales tax if purchased during Memorial Day weekend.
HB 1 – Several key Riders adopted for grants and loans through TWDB and SWCB.
74%
26%
Texas Senators Representing TAGD Members
Senators w/ TAGD GCD DistrictsSenators w/out TAGD GCD Districts
51%49%
Texas House Members Representing TAGD Members
Representatives w/ TAGD GCD DistrictsRepresentatives w/out TAGD GCD Districts
“We are only as strong as we are united.” – J.K. Rowling
Kody Bessent, Legislative Affairs DirectorHigh Plains Underground Water Conservation District2930 Avenue QLubbock, Texas [email protected]