Irrigated Agriculture Speaks Up on Water Issues in Austin

Texas irrigation districts, groundwater conservation districts, and ag commodity groups met in Austin Feb. 25, 2013, to highlight the need to invest in ag water efficiency and conservation measures both on-farm and in-district.

While regional differences and water sources present unique problems in different parts of the state, irrigated agriculture throughoutTexas is suffering the effects of continued drought and lack of financial support necessary to invest in improvements.

Participants in the Forum all agree on one thing: new mechanisms for financing water infrastructure currently being discussed by the Texas Legislature should account for the high-volume/low-cost water savings that can be realized through proven agricultural conservation tools and technologies.

Comm. Staples with Forum sponsors
Applauding their efforts were Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Representative Eddie Lucio III.
Rep. Lucio interviewed by StateImpact Texas









FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE.  

PRESENTATIONS ON "SETTING THE STAGE: TEXAS AG WATER FACTS"

Status and Trends in Irrigated Agriculture, Dr. Kevin Wagner, Texas Water Resources Institute

Ag Water in the 2012 State Water Plan, Carolyn Brittin, Texas Water Development Board

PRESENTATIONS ON "PROVING THE SCIENCE: AG WATER DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN TEXAS"

Texas Project for Ag Water Efficiency, Tom McLemore, Harlingen Irrigation District:


Texas Alliance for Water Conservation, Dr. Chuck West, Texas Tech University

200-12 Project, Steve Walthour, North Plains Groundwater Conservation District