Regional Water Planning in Central Texas: Public Involvement at its Best

In 1997, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) which dramatically changed statewide water planning. As mandated by SB 1, the Texas Water Plan of 2002 will be developed by independent regional water planning groups representing different areas of the state. Each group will develop its own 50-year regional plan. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), a Texas state agency, coordinates and provides technical support for the regional groups and will compile the regional plans into a single statewide plan. Direct public involvement is designed into the SB 1 planning process since members of each group represent key water interests within their regions. For the Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group (LCRWG), there is representation for agriculture, counties, municipalities, industries, electric generating utilities, environmental, recreation, small businesses, the public, river authorities, water districts and water utilities. Most members serve as citizen volunteers and none are reimbursed by the TWDB for their time.