State Water Plan

Up until the late 1990's, the Texas Water Plan was prepared, and periodically updated, by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). In 1997, the Texas Legislature created 16 regional water planning groups, each responsible for preparing a water plan for its part of Texas. These were to be consolidated into a state water plan by the TWDB.

The Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group (LCRWPG or Region K) consists of twenty-one members originally appointed by TWDB and since elected by the existing members. Each member represents a county and an interest group. For example, there are members representing large and small cities, counties, industries and small businesses. Other members represent river authorities, water utilities, environment and recreation. The membership could be called "grass roots," since recreation and small business each have one vote, just as the City of Austin and LCRA do.

Regional and state water plans are advisory in nature, and projects recommended by the regional plans must be funded by the Texas Legislature. For example, new dams have been recommended in the state water plan for a decade or more, but so far, the legislature has not agreed on a way to raise the money to build a new dam. It takes at least twenty-five years to design, permit and build a major dam and reservoir, and to settle all of the legal challenges. So, the dates of critical water shortages in Texas and the earliest date that a new surface water supply could be available are becoming close (see "Funding Water Infrastructure," Water Matters, Vol. 16-11) read on