AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Armstrong Center for Energy and the Environment will hold a Policy Primer, “Plumbing the Depth of Surface Water Rights,” on Thursday,September 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Legislative Conference Center in the Texas State Capitol.
The issue of surface water rights in Texas has never been more fraught or uncertain than it is now. After three years of drought, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has invoked its emergency authority to curtail the water rights of some private citizens — an action now challenged in Texas courts. At the federal level, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is considering Texas’ appeal of a court ruling that would restrict the state’s authority to allocate surface water. Texas has long had responsibility for managing its own surface water, but these two cases may significantly change the landscape on surface water management in the Lone Star State. This timely policy primer will address this contentious and compelling issue.
Panelists include:
- Doug Caroom, Attorney at Law, Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta, LLP
- Jonathan Mitchell, Solicitor General of Texas
- Carlos Rubenstein, Chairman, Texas Water Development Board
- Bill West, General Manager, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
To schedule an interview with TPPF Center for Energy and the Environment Director Kathleen Hartnett White, please contact Kristen Indriago at 512.472.2700 or [email protected].
WHO: Texas Public Policy Foundation
WHAT: Plumbing the Depth of Surface Water Rights
WHEN: Thursday, September 19, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Texas State Capitol
Legislative Conference Center
1100 Congress Ave
Room E2.002
Austin, TX 78701
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.
Primary website: www.TexasPolicy.com
Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TexasPublicPolicyFoundation
Twitter feed: www.Twitter.com/TPPF