From the Green Industry Alliance San Antonio, Texas Speakers: Mike Brown and Kelly Hall Presented at...
81
Briefing to the Green Industry From the Green Industry Alliance San Antonio , Texas Speakers: Mike Brown and Kelly Hall Presented at Tree Source Wholesale Nursery Houston, Texas September 13, 2011
From the Green Industry Alliance San Antonio, Texas Speakers: Mike Brown and Kelly Hall Presented at Tree Source Wholesale Nursery Houston, Texas September
From the Green Industry Alliance San Antonio, Texas Speakers:
Mike Brown and Kelly Hall Presented at Tree Source Wholesale
Nursery Houston, Texas September 13, 2011
Slide 2
Welcome to the story of water in Texas
Slide 3
Hot off the Press..
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local
&id=8194899
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local
&id=8194899
Slide 4
From the Headlines. Mayor bans grilling at Houston parks
Drought forces more restrictions By MIKE MORRIS, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Updated 08:38 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2011 The mayor asked city
residents to voluntarily reduce lawn watering to twice a week in
June, then made the restrictions mandatory Aug. 16.
Slide 5
From the Headlines.. A sad scene City parks Director, Joe
Turner surveyed city park land from a police helicopter this week
and said: it was sadly easy to spot the city parks by their brown
canopies; Houston's municipal parks, unlike residents' properties,
have no sprinkler systems. "They're just timber, just waiting to
catch on fire," Turner said. City parks workers are counting dead
trees to estimate how much money - $280 to $300 per tree - will be
needed to remove them. Parker said she has freed up more cash for
the parks department to respond to the drought. The mayor urged
residents to use the city's 311 customer service hotline to report
trees that have died and may be a safety risk.
Slide 6
From the Headlines.. Save your lawn with this formula By KATHY
HUBER, GARDEN WRITER Published 12:45 p.m., Friday, September 9,
2011 The studies show it takes 910 of an inch of water per week to
maintain a stress-free lawn in a typical August and 810 of an inch
in an average September in Houston. That's about an inch a week -
whether it comes from rain, irrigation, or both. To conserve during
drought, it's more realistic to shoot for a lawn with "moderate
tolerable stress" - giving it about 60 percent of these monthly
target amounts, or around a half- inch per week. The grass won't be
perfect, but the reduced watering can keep roots alive, Chalmers
says.
Slide 7
The Gang is All Here Tonight Who are you and where do you fit
in the picture? What is your level of knowledge of water in Texas?
Do we have a crisis here? Or over there? Just where is this water
crisis in Texas? What issues are in your water bucket? What will
the new norm be in your region? Groups invited here tonight: TNLA
Region II, HGCIA, ISA Texas, Landscape Architects, Turf Producers
Get involved in your Trade Association and volunteer to advocate
for your industry!
Slide 8
Hydro Illogical Cycle
Slide 9
A few key points
Slide 10
Water Conservation As defined by the Water Conservation
Advisory Council in Texas: Those practices, techniques, programs,
and technologies that will protect water resources, reduce the
consumption of water, reduce the loss or waste of water, improve
the efficiency in the use of water, or increase the recycling and
reuse of water so that a water supply is made available for future
or alternative uses. Water Conservation is a water supply
strategy
Slide 11
Drought Management 1. Meteorological Drought: This type of
drought is often defined by a period of substantially diminished
precipitation duration and/or intensity that persists long enough
to produce a significant hydrologic imbalance. The commonly used
definition of meteorological drought is an interval of time,
generally of the order of months or years, during which the actual
moisture supply at a given place consistently falls below the
climatologically- appropriate moisture supply. 2. Agricultural
Drought: Occurs when there is inadequate precipitation and/or soil
moisture to sustain crop or forage production systems. The water
deficit results in serious damage and economic loss to plant or
animal agriculture. Agricultural drought usually begins after
meteorological drought but before hydrological drought and can also
affect livestock and other agricultural operations. 3. Hydrological
Drought: Refers to deficiencies in surface and subsurface water
supplies. It is measured as streamflow, and as lake, reservoir, and
groundwater levels. There is usually a time lag between a lack of
rain or snow and less measurable water in streams, lakes, and
reservoirs, making hydrological measurements not the earliest
indicators of drought. 4. Socioeconomic Drought: This drought
occurs when physical water shortages start to affect the health,
well being, and quality of life of the people, or when the drought
starts to affect the supply and demand of an economic product.
Drought management is temporary in nature as a response to extreme
conditions Source: Texas Drought Prepardness Council
Slide 12
Landscape Water Considered discretionary in the urban
environment Subject to critical period management Although some
estimates put total landscape water consumption at 3% nation wide
40 to 70% of consumption in the urban environment during the peak
summer months is outdoor watering Landscape water is the low
hanging fruit for most municipalities seeking conservation measures
as part of their water supply planning
Slide 13
Three at the Table.. Citizens of Texas (Population)
Business/Industry Environment
Slide 14
You are in the Spotlight! The state of Texas is on the nations
stage as to how it solves its water issues the green industry is
part of that story
Slide 15
Its everywhere! National level State level Regional level Local
level
Slide 16
Water-National Level EPA Water Sense www.epa.gov/watersense
Smart Irrigation Month www.irrigation.org Alliance for Water
Efficiency www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org American Society of
Landscape Architects www.asla.org Water Action Guide
www.wateractionguide.com
Slide 17
EPA Water Sense The goal of the program is to reduce indoor and
outdoor (non-ag) water use through more efficient products,
services and practices and to help customers differentiate between
products in the marketplace, while insuring product performance and
encouraging innovation in manufacturing
Slide 18
Alliance For Water Efficiency A voice and a platform for water
use efficiency and water conservation that has never existed,
bringing a critical new perspective to an increasingly thirsty
North America
Slide 19
Smart Irrigation Month The Irrigation Association named July as
Smart Irrigation Month to promote efficient watering practices,
technologically advanced products and water conservation
Slide 20
American Society of Landscape Architects Sustainable Sites
Initiative (SITES) is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Ladybird
Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and
the United States Botanic Center to transform land development and
management practices through the nations first voluntary guidelines
and rating system for sustainable landscapes, with or without
buildings. The guidelines and rating system represent four years of
work by dozens of the countrys leading sustainability experts,
scientists, and design professionals and incorporate public input
from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations to create
this essential missing link in green design.
Slide 21
Trade Associations Dont forget our trade associations!
ANLA,IA,PLANET,TPI and others
Slide 22
Just the facts please..
Slide 23
Texas Water The population in Texas is expected to more than
double between the years 2000 to 2060 21 million to 46 million The
demand for water is expected to increase by 27% - 17 million
acre-feet to 21 million acre-feet
Slide 24
Texas Water Existing water supplies the amount of water that
can be produced with current permits, contracts, and existing
infrastructure during drought- are projected to decrease about 18%
Why? depletion of aquifers and sedimentation in reservoirs Texas
will need an additional 8.8 million acre feet of water by 2060 if
new water supplies are not developed
Slide 25
Texas Water The regional water planning groups identified 4500
water management strategies and projects to generate the additional
9 million acre feet per year of water supplies for Texas
Slide 26
Water in Texas Where is it Coming From? Approx 9 million acre
feet of water as follows: 48% Surface Water (4,388,689 acre feet)
23% Conservation (2,046,851 acre feet) 14% Reuse (1,261,579 acre
feet) 9% Groundwater (799,209 acre feet) 3% Desalination (312,887
acre feet) 3% Other (231567 acre feet) Note: Statistics from the
2007 State Water Plan. What will the % of conservation be in the
2012 State Water Plan?
Slide 27
Water for Texas Water for Texas: Summary of the 2011 Regional
Water Plans BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTATION* If the SWP is not fully
implemented, 83% of Texans will not have an adequate supply of
water during times of drought. Failure to meet the states water
needs in drought conditions could cost Texas businesses and workers
approximately $11.9 billion today and up to $115.7 billion in 2060
Every $1 billion invested in Texas water supply projects generates
$889 million annually in income for Texans. Every $1 billion
invested in Texas water supply projects creates or supports 13,000
jobs. The $1.47 billion invested in water supply projects by 80th
and 81st Legislatures had the following positive economic impacts
for the State of Texas: generated $2.6 billion in sales revenues in
the construction engineering and materials sectors and supporting
businesses; created $1.3 billion in state gross domestic product;
added $0.06 billion in state and local tax receipts; and created or
supported nearly 19,300 jobs in the state.
Slide 28
Water for Texas COST OF DELAY* The population in Texas is
expected to grow between the years 2010 and 2060 from about 25
million to about 46 million. The demand for water in Texas is
expected to increase by 22 percent, from almost 18 million
acre-feet of water in 2010 to 22 million acre-feet in 2060. If the
State Water Plan is not fully implemented, 83% of Texans will not
have an adequate supply of water during times of drought by 2060.
If Texas does not implement the State Water Plan, water shortages
during drought could cost businesses and workers in the state about
$11.9 billion today and $115.7 billion by 2060. * Source of the
information above is from the Texas Water Development Board.
Slide 29
State Water Plan and Planning in Texas
Slide 30
Water Planning in Texas 2007 represented the 50 th anniversary
of the Texas Water Development Board- established in part in
response to the drought of record Prompted by the drought of
record(1950 to 1957) Texans began water planning in earnest in 1957
and now enjoys a nation wide reputation as a dynamic and innovative
model to water planning and management The TWDB core mission is to
ensure sufficient,clean, and affordable water supplies are
available for the citizens of Texas AND foster a healthy economy
and environment
Slide 31
Water Planning in Texas In 1957, the Legislature created the
TWDB, the citizens approved a constitutional amendment authorizing
$200 million for water supply projects, and required that a formal
process begin for developing a plan to meet the future water needs
of Texans. Planning began with big reservoirs(169 total) but only
25 constructed since 1980. The 1980s and 1990s saw the state shift
its efforts from reservoir projects to improving the management of
the states existing supplies and infrastructure conservation,
reuse, and treatment of brackish water began to take its place in
the Texas water story
Slide 32
Planning in Texas In the early 1990s the TWDB began to broaden
participation in the planning process to include the TCEQ and the
TPW Although important steps, the next influential step of water
planning came as a result once again to a significant drought in
1996 - sizable economic losses and water shortages plagued the
state. (We remember this one in SA because this was the beginning
of the Green Industry Alliance.) This drought highlighted the need
to plan more at the regional and local level. SB1 passed in 1997
during the 75 th Legislative session and created a new water
planning process that relies on regional water plans prepared and
adopted by local and regional decision makers. The shift in water
planning went from a top down approach to a bottom up consensus
driven model.
Slide 33
State Water Plan The state water plan is based on a "bottom-up"
consensus- driven approach to water planning that involves 16
regional water planning groups. Within TWDB guidelines, each
regional planning group reviews water use projections and water
availability volumes in dry or drought-of-record conditions. When a
water need is identified, the planning groups recommend water
management strategies to meet the need. Once the planning group
adopts the regional water plan, the plan is sent to the TWDB for
approval. The TWDB then compiles information from the regional
water plans and other sources to develop the state water plan.
Slide 34
Contents of Plan Regional Plan Summaries Population and Water
Demand Projections Resources Groundwater and Surface Water Water
Supply and Management Strategies State Water Plans are designed to
build on each other with new data, new social and environmental
conditions Great place to start to learn about water in Texas- 1 st
plan adopted after SB1 is the 2002 State Water Plan..By January of
2012, the TWDB will develop,adopt,and submit the 2012 State Water
Plan
Slide 35
Key Texas Web Sites Texas Water Development Board
www.twdb.state.tx.us Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
www.tceq.com Texas Parks and Wildlife www.tpwd.state.tx.us Water
Conservation Advisory Council www.savetexaswater.org
Slide 36
Regional Water Planning Groups A consensus based
approached...
Slide 37
Regional Planning Groups
Slide 38
What region are you in for planning purposes? 16 Regional
Planning Groups across the State See TWDB web site and select the
regional planning tab Region H-www.regionhwater.org Other regional
players include: Groundwater Districts Subsidence Districts River
Authorities
Slide 39
Region H Region H, located along the upper Texas coast,
consists of all or part of 15 counties; Austin, Brazoria, Chambers,
Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Montgomery,
Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller. The eastern
portions of Trinity and Polk Counties are included in the Region I
planning area. The Region spans three rivers and four coastal
basins in southeast Texas. Region H encompasses the San Jacinto
River Basin, the lower portions of the Trinity and Brazos River
Basins, and includes part or all of the Brazos- Colorado, the San
Jacinto-Brazos, the Trinity-San Jacinto, and the Neches-Trinity
coastal basins.
Slide 40
Region H
Slide 41
Conservation in Region H Plan Highlights(2012) Additional
supplies needed by 2060 1,236,335 AC FT Total Capital Costs - $12
billion Conservation accounts for 12% of 2060 strategy volumes Five
new major reservoirs Reuse accounts for 19% of 2060 strategy
volume
Slide 42
Slide 43
Local water planners City of Houston www.houstontx.gov Select
public works and engineering Other Water Purveyors Municipalities
Municipal Utility Districts(MUDS)
Slide 44
A stakeholders experience in San Antonio
Slide 45
The Green Industry in Texas and San Antonio Who Are We? The
green industry statewide is a $13 billion dollar industry and a
robust $800 million dollar industry in San Antonio *(2009 dollars)
(10,000 employees 2008) The industry represents designers, growers
and suppliers of product,sod producers, landscape, irrigation and
maintenance contractors, retail nurseries We are a diverse bunch!
It is hard to document us!
Slide 46
Why did we get involved in the Water Conservation Issue in San
Antonio? Simple A crisis brought us to the table! A federal lawsuit
demanding protection of endangered species created a need for
critical period management of our aquifer and required the water
purveyor and others to draft demand reduction measures to maintain
spring flows to the east of SA Sometimes a crisis gets the players
to the table it just might be the thing that takes your
conservation program to the next level!
Slide 47
The Green Industry Perspective Why has water conservation
worked in SA? Creation of A Culture the environment created in SA
between public officials, municipal staff, and the green industry
professional encourages communication, planning and process review
so that the end result hopefully is good public policy for the
community. We decided early on to be a part of the solution and not
the problem! Industry leadership instead of resistance leadership
guarantees our issues and concerns as an industry are presented in
the debate. We dont always agree with SAWS on how to solve water
conservation issues. SAWS does not always agree with industry on
solutions sometimes the policy makers dont agree with either one of
us!
Slide 48
Why has water conservation worked? The green industry has
organized itself so that it can speak with one voice on the issues
challenging the profession and community. Our ability to
communicate clearly with the policy makers helps to produce
effective policy in which results can be measured. In our view the
three areas that contribute to the success of water conservation
practices as it pertains to watering our landscapes is the
following:
Slide 49
Regulation/Pricing of the Resource The pricing of the resource
clearly sends a signal to the consumer about the value of water in
the community Development standards in the form of local ordinances
The Green Industry has regulated itself if you doing business in
the City of SA and installing landscape irrigation systems you must
be registered with the city, maintain liability insurance, and
comply with design and installation standards
Slide 50
Regulation continued. Our water conservation ordinance expands
on the 5 xeriscape principles to include drought tolerant turf
selections, rain sensors for all irrigation systems, and soil
requirements for new landscapes Although not a regulator item the
community is attempting to embrace all of the xeriscape principles
that we know will produce beautiful landscapes while using our
water efficiently. SAWS has been instrumental in its education
efforts to educate the public and quite frankly some of the green
industry companies!
Slide 51
Regulation continued. The relationships we have built in the
community has allowed us to move forward with the regulatory issues
with the hopes that we conserve water in the outdoors while
providing economic opportunities for the green industry to grow and
prosper.
Slide 52
Technical Development The good news in the Green Industry is
that manufacturers of goods for the landscapes irrigation products,
quality horticulture items such as soils and mulches, improved turf
and plant varieties all contribute to the water conservation
effort! The Green Industry has a lot of tools in its tool bag to
achieve water conservation!
Slide 53
Communicationthe message Consumer Green Industry Professional
City Officials, Municipal Staff, Water Purveyors Educational
Institutions
Slide 54
Communication.the message The success of water conservation
efforts in our community centers around a message that is clear and
concise to the public. The public will embrace conservation if the
message is clear and credible. Good communications between the
groups mentioned on the previous slide allows for a community such
as San Antonio to be able to enjoy our outdoor environment and all
the benefits it brings to a city of more than a million people. We
currently enjoy less than a 140 gpcd.Our water consumption for more
than a decade has been on the decline despite population
growth.
Slide 55
Communicationthe message Good communications and factual
information from the green industry to the policy makers is
important. Good communications between the consumer and industry
professional eliminate mixed signals and frustration for end user.
Good communications from the educational institutions to the
industry as well as the policy makers provides tools for effective
solutions.
Slide 56
The Green Industry Alliance
Slide 57
Organize Yourself! The usual items decide how you will be
organized, (structure). File the appropriate paperwork. Outside
accounting professional to maintain the organizations finances and
file appropriate tax reports. Develop bylaws and organizational
structure. Code of Ethics, operational philosophy, vision
statement, mission statement, etc. Areas of concentration and
services you will provide Strategic Planning and Budgeting
Slide 58
Strategic Planning Define your vision The vision of the Green
Industry Alliance is to demonstrate that a coalition of Green
Industry professionals and its allied members can work together to
improve industry standards and influence public policy. Define your
mission The Alliance is an association of Green Industry
professionals, organized to promote responsible landscape
development, management and maintenance through professional
standards and sound regional policy. Define your goals The goals of
the Alliance are to create an awareness and demand for professional
standards in the industry. Develop support for industry views on
matters of public policy. Increase awareness of the industry by
creating one united, credible authority.
Slide 59
Services Define your services to your membership as well as
interested parties Services provided by the Green Industry Alliance
will be concentrated in the areas of: Government Affairs,
Communications and Media Relations, Fundraising, and Operational
Excellence in support of these services.
Slide 60
Governmental Affairs Definition: Engage public policy officials
concerning support for local and regional industry views
Objectives: proactively provide proposed public policy. Identify
and maintain communication channels with public officials and
staff. Board Member Contact: President Committee Chair: GIA
Member
Slide 61
Communications & Media Relations Definition: be the
definitive communicator of industry information; encourage and
support industry professionals to improve industry standards and
influence policy in other regions; share knowledge with other
regions. Objectives: identify and proactively utilize all media
opportunities. Position the GIA as the reliable green industry
resource. Inform interested groups about policy issues, processes,
and industry standards. Identify methods and execute industry
education for industry professionals, coalition partners, consumers
(the public), public entities and policy makers, and green industry
professionals in other regions. Board Member Contact: President
Committee Chair: GIA Member
Slide 62
Fundraising Definition: Ensure GIA has the financial resources
to perform its activities. Objectives: Conduct a variety of
fundraisers events throughout year to cover operational expenses.
Board Member Contact: Vice President Committee Chair: GIA
Member
Slide 63
Operational Excellence Definition: Create and maintain
excellent operational standards for the GIA Objectives: Serve as
the local information resource for the green industry. Develop and
maintain an operational budget. Document and implement policies and
procedures in compliance with the by laws. Board Member Contact:
President Committee Chair: GIA Member
Slide 64
Other Elements Leadership pick your board carefully. Reflect
your constituents but strive to place decision makers of companies
and people of vision on your board. The board is your leadership.
The place keepers will only execute policy. Communications boards
must communicate to each other as well as its membership. Stick to
your goals and objectives. Dont take on to much. Review during your
strategic planning sessions. Dont forget your coalition partners!
Create value for what you do! Park your ego and your personal
agenda at the door and serve the industry you represent.
Slide 65
Leadership Leadership the position or function of a leader
Leader a person or a thing that leads Lead to take or conduct on
the way; go before or with to show the way; to influence; to guide
in direction; course; action or opinion. The 100% Story In any
group generally you will find the following break down when change
is apparent: 10% of the group will be visionary (leaders) The next
50% to 60% will come along with the vision or goals once the
leaders are ok The next 20% will come kicking and screaming but
they will eventually change and embrace the vision or goals The
bottom 10% will never make the change
Slide 66
Slide 67
Guiding Principles of the GIA We must demonstrate professional
leadership when it comes to water issues in our region We must be
good stewards of the water in our region. We have an obligation to
provide leadership and support effective public policy when it
comes to water-in particular the urban landscapes. Policy makers
need the benefit of learning the professional standards for
effective best management practices and it is the industrys
responsibility to teach them in a fair and balanced way. Tell our
story it is important! Speak with ONE credible voice!
Slide 68
Challenges Due to excessive growth our ordinance in San Antonio
needs revision to better suit the public and industry. Industry is
getting involved with the end user about the issue of violating the
ordinance to protect their landscape investment not good public
policy! We are using aggressive conservation as a water supply
strategy while looking for other sources this supply strategy will
not provide the needed resources for the growth in population in
the region End user will do what is necessary to protect their
landscape investment For the professional gut check lose money by
denying services??? Most service providers have heard the phrase- I
will just find someone else to do it Have not addressed the correct
amount of water to put on the landscape plant,soil and water
relationships Leadership from the professional Green Industry
Designation in the region for the professional committed to Best
Management Practices Although we have increased our cost of water,
the impact to the consumer has not been adequate enough to trigger
conservation techniques and retrofits to our landscapes on a volume
scale. Smaller municipality coordination
Slide 69
Opportunities Because we have established our relationships
with the decision makerswe enjoy an open forum to bring issues of
concern to them in a relatively quick fashion if need be. Our
recent rate increases should generate opportunity for industry
professionals to improve the landscape and irrigation practices on
a variety of sites both residential and commercial. During a
drought period we have the opportunity to talk directly to the
public.promotion of best management practices can be accomplished
here. The water purveyor is flexible with rebate programs so that
the industry can choose rebates that are responsive to current
conditions.
Slide 70
Forward thinking stuff.. Energy /Water Nexus HB 2507
Proposition 2 go to TWDB for detail
Slide 71
What will be your next steps in your region
Slide 72
Begin with your Water Bucket Notes. Notes and thoughts from
tonights presentation should help to launch your efforts in this
region Relationships in the region just who is out there dealing
with these issues? Get to know them.. Elected officials and policy
makerslearn the players Who are your 10% leaders from the
industryidentify them so they can get to work on these issues! Can
you speak with ONE credible voice once you are organized?
Slide 73
Profound changes are happening to the Green Industry As an
industry we must be good stewards of the water in Texas Learn as
much as you can about water in Texas Teach you customers and
employees about water
Slide 74
Gardening, landscaping and outdoor activities gives us a reason
to push aside our worries and look forward to hope to the next
bloom, the next season, the next year. These activities are here to
stay because as humans we reap the many benefits of the beautiful
landscapes in Texas-natural or created. All of these activities
need water.
Slide 75
Information overload starts here..
Slide 76
Web Sites Save Texas Water.org official site of the Water
conservation Advisory Council Texas Urban Landscape Guide
www.urbanlandscapeguide.tamu.edu Texas Evaporation Network
www.texaset.tamu.edu H204texas.org good site for current news
articles across the state www.texasthestate ofwater.org decade long
video series
Slide 77
A Good Read.. Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine all July issues
for the past ten years Water in Texas Robert Glennon Unquenchable
Steve Maxwell and Scott Yates the Future of Water Charles Fishman
The Big Thirst Andrew Sansom Water in Texas
Slide 78
Texas Trade Association Efforts Texas Turf Irrigation
Association-www.ttia.org Partners with TNLA expo to bring info to
members concerning water conservation issues Partners with TNLA on
regulatory issues No information on web site about water issues in
Texas No standing water committee Diverse BOD made up of local
irrigation associations Texas Irrigation
Network-www.texasirrigationnetwork.net Mission statement speaks to
conservation Survey of Texas Cities adopting ordinances Post TCEQ
irrigation rules that outline standards for the irrigation
professional Conduct workshops about water issues in Texas Diverse
BOD Texas Nursery and Landscape Association-txnla.org Water
restrictions by county on home page Some info limited to members
only No standing water committee Partners with TTIA on regulatory
issues Water/water conservation info search by publications
Slide 79
Texas Trade Association Efforts Turfgrass Producers of Texas
www.txsod.com Get the grass facts video Drought study report on
Turfgrass You Tube ads in the can Conducts events in partnership
with TAMU Texas TurfgrassAssociation-www.texasturf.com ASLA Texas
Chapter-www.texasasla.org Links to sustainable sites
initiative,LEED,USGBC and other key design development issues
Slide 80
Implementation of State Water Plan Water issue goes way beyond
no fireworks Texans must demand state officials step up to the
challenge. By Lyle Larson / Special to the Express-News Updated
06:03 p.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2011 www.mysa.com search Lyle
Larson
Slide 81
State Water Plan. In Texas, our biggest challenge in sustaining
job growth and economic development is water. If we do nothing, the
Texas Water development Board (TWDB) estimates that 85 percent of
Texans will lack sufficient water supply during a drought by 2060,
at which point our state's population will have doubled. Demand for
water in Texas will grow 27 percent in the next 50 years, from 17
million acre-feet today to 21.6 million acre-feet in 2060. During
the same time period, supply will decrease 18 percent. This is
simply unacceptable. The longer we insist on preserving the status
quo, the more we risk reliving the notorious 8-year drought that
occurred during the 1950s, which, as a result, the state's economy
sustained a loss of $24.5 billion in today's dollars. With 25
million people living in Texas today versus 8 million in 1950, the
effects the drought will be realized three times faster. If these
facts don't illustrate the magnitude of this situation, what
will?