TWCA Confluence Newsletter July 2018

CONFLUENCE JULY 2018

Texas Water Conservation Association | twca.org

Project in Fort Worth: Panther Island Preview

IN THIS ISSUE: • • • •

Prerelease Explained An Update from El Paso Water Q&A With Kathy Turner Jones New Aquifer Conservation Program in Milano • And More!

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Table of Contents

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President’s Message Hope Wells

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A Fort Worth Transformation: The Creation of Panther Island

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Hurricane Season Started June 1st

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Water of the West: El Paso Water Update

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Strategic Planning Update

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Catalyst Event Sparks New Ideas

Conservation Efforts: Meeting Regulators’ and Customers’ Needs While Extending Supplies

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Prelease as a Flood Mitigation Strategy

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You Are a Communicator. We all Are.

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Post Oak Savannah GCD Announces New Conservation Program for Landowners

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2018 Mid-Year Conference Recap

July 2018 - Summer Confluence

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Q&A: Kathy Turner Jones

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Update from NWRA’s Ian Lyle

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Board Members & Past Presidents

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What’s New with TWCA?

Back cover: Confluence Sponsors

Cover photo: A preview of the Panther Island project.

Provided by the Trinity River Vision.

Message from the President

Hope Wells - San Antonio Water System I hope everyone is enjoying the somewhat more relaxed pace of the summer months and has been able to spend time with family and friends. We have an always busy slate of business at TWCA, and I look forward to the coming months, working with all of you on the Association’s ongoing activities.

I want to thank everyone that attended, sponsored and presented at our mid-year conference held at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa in Montgomery, June 13 through the 15th.

I’m always impressed by the willingness of our members and other supporters to share their time, money and expertise with the Association. I especially want to thank TWCA’s Risk Management Fund for sponsoring our Thursday evening reception honoring their 30-year anniversary. Congratulations to the Fund’s board, staff and members. We look forward to your ongoing success.

We had two great keynote addresses, one from Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Past TWCA president Mike Booth was able to present Smith with the President’s Award in appreciation for his great service to our state and long-standing relationship with the Association. Our other keynote address came from Brooke Paup, newly appointed Texas Water Development Board director.

We look forward to working with Director Paup and appreciate her willingness to attend the conference. It was nice to hear her perspective on the new position and her open door approach to working with the Association.

Besides our meetings and speaker sessions, we held the 12th Annual Jim Adams Memorial Golf Tournament at La Torretta Golf Club.

Congratulations to our winning teams! We also coordinated an event that I hope will become another time-honored tradition at TWCA conferences, the Membership & Services Committee Service Project. The project was in partnership with the San Jacinto River Authority to assist with their Stormwater Inlet Marking Program. Groups of volunteers applied medallions to the top of stormwater inlets in nearby neighborhoods. The medallions are designed to remind residents to help keep Lake Conroe’s water quality great. I would encourage everyone to take part in future service projects as a good way to meet other members of the Association, as well as help our colleagues and learn about their local initiatives in a hands-on way.

Finally, during our TWCA Board of Directors meeting, I was struck by the overlap of two very significant items on our agenda, one dealing with celebrating our history and the other planning for our future. The board authorized the creation of a committee to help plan festivities associated with TWCA’s 75th Anniversary. Be on the lookout for additional information and ways to participate as we move forward with the planning effort. We also had an update from Dan Buhman regarding the next phase of our strategic planning initiative kicked off earlier this year.

Subcommittees will be formed in the next few months to develop specific strategies to further the Association’s goals which include sustaining and increasing our future membership.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our fall conference.

Have a great summer.

Hope Wells

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TWCA Officers & Executive Committee President - Hope Wells President Elect - David Montagne Immediate Past President - Michael J. Booth Panel Chairs: Timothy L. Brown Lyn Clancy John Chisholm Drew Satterwhite Sonny Hinojosa

James Kowis Wayne Owen J. Kevin Ward Mike Yost Vice Presidents: Fiona Allen Kim Carroll Tom Gooch Glenn Jarvis Kathy Turner Jones

Glenn Lord Martin Rochelle Michael F. Thuss Walt Sears

TWCA Staff General Manager Dean Robbins drobbins@twca.org Assistant General Manager Stacey Allison Steinbach ssteinbach@twca.org Office Manager/Events Coordinator Lisa Henley lhenley@twca.org Director of Communications Adeline Fox afox@twca.org Administrative Assistant Becky Arledge barledge@twca.org

Texas Water Conservation Association 3755 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Ste. 105 Austin, Texas 78704 www.twca.org | 512.472.7216

What’s New in the Water World?

Featuring New Job Announcements And Retirements New Job Announcements and Appointments • Katherine Thigpen is the new Committee Director of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

• Alicia Reinmund-Martinez is the new Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District General Manager.

• Patrick Lopez is the new Chief of Staff for Texas Water Development Board Director Brooke Paup.

Retirements • Karen Bondy retired from the Lower Colorado River Authority after +20 years. She has been hired as the new general manager of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority.

Notable Newsletters • The Aqueduct: Texas Water News - Newsletter produced by Natural Resources Committee Texas House of Representatives and sent by Chairman Lyle Larson • Texas + Water - Newsletter collaboration between the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas Water Journal, and Texas Water Resources Institute.

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Hurricane Season Started June 1st

By Richard Wigzell, TWCA Risk Management Fund Seasonal changes in Texas are often met with pleasant anticipation and sometimes with a sense of dread. Hurricane season is dreaded for very good reasons and that sense of dread is heightened by last season’s onslaught of Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane season started June 1st and runs until November 30th, a full six months to stay alert and ready to take action. The outlook for 2018 according to many forecasters is for a season very similar to 2017. Colorado State University forecasts “that the 2018 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly above average activity…We anticipate a slightly above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.” Their specific prediction includes 14 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. An average hurricane season according to NOAA has 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Excerpts from Colorado State’s press release follow:

We anticipate a slightly above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. (as of 31 May 2018) By Philip J. Klotzbach1 and Michael M. Bell2 In Memory of William M. Gray3, Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523.

Colorado State’s forecast for the 2017 Hurricane season actually gave a high probability of a named storm impacting the Gulf Coast (41%), which one did. CSU forecasts a 29% probability that a hurricane will strike the Gulf coast in 2018. As you might expect, the Fund is still adjusting claims from Hurricane Harvey. As of April 17, 2018 there have been 84 claims reported from 12 members with a paid and reserved total of $4.5million.

An updated Hurricane Preparedness Bulletin was issued last May 2017 right before the season began and we refer you to that for the Fund’s recommendations for preparations. The bulletin is on the Fund’s website at twcarmf.org in the Resources section or you may request a copy from Richard Wigzell at richard.wigzell@yorksrg.com.

As part of recent experience responding to Harvey, the Fund’s two property claims adjusters, Velvet Dixon and Karyn Bartels have the following suggestions based on their experience with Harvey. Karyn suggests:

EXTENDED RANGE FORECAST OF ATLANTIC SEASONAL HURRICANE ACTIVITY AND LANDFALL STRIKE PROBABILITY FOR 2018 We anticipate that the 2018 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly above average activity. The weak La Niña that occurred this past winter has dissipated, and there is the potential that a weak El Niño could develop by the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season (August-October).

However, the forecast team believes that neutral ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions are the most likely scenario for this year’s season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.

The tropical Atlantic has anomalously cooled over the past two months and is now colder than normal. In addition to providing less fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification, cooler tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are associated with a more stable atmosphere as well as drier air, both of which suppress organized thunderstorm activity necessary for hurricane development.

Prior to the hurricane hitting, get vehicles moved to a higher level (parking garage if possible), and board up as many windows as possible. Make sure your flood insurance is up to date if you are in a flood zone. Make sure all your property information is up to date with Fund underwriting.

Unplug all electronics/computers to prevent surge, and move all valuable items to a safe place.

Once the storm has passed, protect your

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An image of Hurricane Harvey taken by the GOES-16 satellite as the storm collided with the Texas coast. (Image courtesy NASA.)

These lines demarcate areas in the northern Caribbean and just east of Florida in the Atlantic.

service interruption to customers. Both Jefferson County Drainage Districts 3 and 7 did an excellent job of this and probably prevented a lot more damage.

property from further damage. Pull out all wet items (carpet, baseboards, sheetrock, personal items), take as many photos as possible and make lists of inventory. Put plastic tarps over damage to roofs and remove trees/debris from property.

Until a remediation company can get out to assist you, get as many fans operating to help in getting things dried out.

As a reminder of the approach of Hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center in Miami issued an “Invest� for an area of disturbed weather just south of Cuba on May 22. An Invest is an area of low pressure that has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone. This one was forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico and possibly bring heavy rains into Florida and eastern Gulf coast states for the Memorial Day weekend. National Weather Service named the Invest Alberto on May 25 which then became the first named storm of the 2018 season. Alberto went ashore in the Florida Panhandle on Monday, May 28, with tropical force winds of 40 mph and gusts to 58 mph. Storm surge was minor but heavy rains occurred all along its track which eventually reached north near the Great Lakes. Although Alberto was a minimal tropical storm it killed two television reporters when a tree was blown down on their van. No tropical storm should be taken lightly.

A caveat is that there is a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance becomes effective if you try to cover a property that is not yet insured. Wind insurance also has a geographic limitation that prohibits coverage when there is a named storm in the Gulf of Mexico or west of the 800 west longitude or north of 200 north latitude. The lines in the graphic above demarcate areas in the northern Caribbean and just east of Florida in the Atlantic so the exclusion zone is much larger than just the Gulf of Mexico.

Velvet Dixon recommends that: Members should do everything they can in the initial clean up then refer out to a mitigation company or have their own staff cut out the drywall to 2 or 4 feet depending on how high the water rose. Make repairs, or bring in rental generators for their lift stations to avoid any

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Strategic Planning Update

By Adeline Fox, TWCA

The strategic planning group is preparing for the next phase of the process. In January, the group created the vision, missions, and goals. Four subcommittees have been created and chairpersons have been appointed to oversee formation of strategies identified The for purpose of thegoals. strategic planning process was to articulate why TWCA exists TWCA STRATEGIC Advocate - Emily Rogers and how to accomplish our mission, prioritize investments of time and money, and align our Build - Hope Wells PLANNING SNAPSHOT membership and effectively communicate Educate - Wayne Owen with our audiences and stakeholders.

Sustain - Michael J. Booth A status report will be provided at the Fall Conference. Below is the infographic from Phase 1.

VISION

To be a trusted resource promoting sound water policy for Texas.

MISSION

Advocate priority water policies to state and federal decision makers. Build consensus.

Educate members.

ADVOCATE

• Use TWCA’s water experts to develop sound water policy • Improve communications with policy makers • Determine most effective way to accomplish federal outreach initiatives

BUILD

• Build consensus within TWCA on water policy • Partner with other organizations to create policy solutions • Formalize TWCA decision making process and define consensus

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EDUCATE

SUSTAIN

• Improve and expand communications to TWCA members and outside interests • Develop member knowledge of the organization • Grow the value of TWCA conferences and membership

• Maintain and increase TWCA membership • Create opportunities for member participation • Maintain financial health with reliable revenue streams • Prioritize TWCA programs and responsibilities

Catalyst Event Sparks New Ideas and Connections

By Adeline Fox, TWCA

At the end of June, TWCA Director of Communications, Adeline Fox, attended the first-ever Catalyst conference in San Antonio. The two and half day event brought water communicators and educators together to network and learn from across the state and nation. The latest industry trends were shared by a plethora of speakers from all types of communications backgrounds. Attendees were briefed on social media strategy, branding, next generation learning, video production and program evaluation. One of the most important messages of the event is to do everything with purpose.

Essentially, if you can’t answer why you’re doing something in your company/entity, then you don’t need to be doing it. Participants also toured the San Antonio Water System’s desalination plant. The event was informative and provided good information for developing the TWCA brand moving forward. The take away messages all resonated, especially as TWCA goes through a strategic planning process.

Catalyst was an event hosted by the San Antonio Water System, Rogue Water, Texas Section of the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association of Texas.

Greg Wukasch, External Affairs Manager, San Antonio Water System.

George Hawkins, CEO, Moonshot, Executive in Residence, XPV Partners.

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Words from TWCA’s Water Laws Chair

Prerelease as a Flood Mitigation Strategy

By Howard Slobodin, Trinity River Authority

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, political attention turned to the implementation of flood mitigation strategies in Texas. As discussed in the last issue of Confluence, many of the 85th Session’s interim charges address not only the responses to Harvey, but also the means to prepare for similar storms in the future. In particular, the House Natural Resources Committee was charged to study “mitigation efforts that would reduce the impact of future flood events...and the response of public entities that own or operate dams to large-scale rain events.”

What role existing water supply reservoirs may play in flood mitigation is a topic of significant interest. Texas has 150 singlepurpose water supply reservoirs, designed and constructed exclusively for conservation storage, i.e., without dedicated flood mitigation capacity. That storage enables the state to survive droughts, without harm to human health and safety, or significant economic disruption from lack of water supply. How that storage could be managed to provide flood mitigation is among the topics under study by the Association’s Flood Response Committee, chaired by Bob Brandes.

As discussed at the Association’s MidYear Conference, reservoir operators in the San Jacinto basin are actively pursuing a combination of strategies to deploy water conservation storage for flood mitigation purposes. Two ways to achieve that purpose are the permanent, temporary, or seasonal conversion of conservation storage to flood storage (maintaining a lower conservation pool), or through a program of prereleases in anticipation of potential flooding events.

What is prerelease in the context of a water supply reservoir? It is the discharge of stored water in anticipation of either predicted rainfall, or the anticipated arrival of flood flows from upstream. Prerelease is not the same as the permanent or temporary conversion of conservation storage to flood storage.

Conservation storage can be permanently

converted to flood storage by constant maintenance of a lower pool elevation. Storage can also be temporarily converted to flood storage by maintaining a lower conservation pool during certain times of year (e.g., hurricane season).

Many factors influence whether prerelease is a safe strategy, and those factors are basin and storm specific. While prerelease may be appropriate in extremely limited circumstances, in others, it could aggravate downstream flooding and place lives and property at risk that otherwise would not be.

For a reservoir operator, that risk informs whether and when prerelease should be deployed.

Factors to Consider

The factors that influence whether prerelease may be of benefit (or detriment) include the: 1) location of rainfall in relation to a reservoir and expected rainfall amount; 2) river-basin size and lag time before flood flows reach a reservoir in the case of upstream flooding; 3) existing downstream flow; and, 4) predicted weather conditions below a reservoir. A prerelease program (or mandate) that fails to provide flexibility to address situation-specific conditions would run the risk of compounding rather than alleviating flooding.

Upstream Rainfall/Flooding

The ideal application of prerelease exists in large basins, with precipitation occurring well upstream of a reservoir. In that situation, there is significant lag time between the flood-causing rainfall and its arrival in the downstream reservoir. This lag time enables an operator to more accurately determine the effect of upstream rainfall on reservoir levels, as flows on their way to the reservoir will likely be gaged at several intermediate locations.

Even in this case, prerelease can only be undertaken at a rate that the downstream waterway can accommodate within its banks.

This limit hinders a reservoir operator’s 10

ability to prerelease a sufficient volume of stored water to have a meaningful effect on downstream flooding. In the event rainfall is predicted in the downstream area, waterway conveyance capacity may be consumed by runoff, further limiting the utility of prerelease.

Downstream Rainfall/Flooding

Prerelease is a hazardous strategy in the case of storms that move inland and discharge significant rainfall before reaching upstream reservoirs. Because the forecasted precipitation event originates downstream, the effect of precipitation on the reservoir cannot be gaged before its arrival as in the case of an upstream event. The effect on the reservoir can only be estimated based on forecasted precipitation.

Lag time is effectively non-existent, and downstream waterways may already be full or nearly full from downstream precipitation that has already occurred before it reaches the reservoir. If a prerelease commences, and the downstream area is or has been hit with significant precipitation, water may overflow stream and riverbanks when it otherwise would not have. In short, in these events, the risk that prerelease could aggravate downstream flooding practically precludes its use.

decision to prerelease was well-intentioned and objectively reasonable, if doing so caused or contributed to downstream flooding, a takings claim might result. Because takings claims are a function of the takings clauses of the United States and Texas Constitutions, the Texas legislature cannot confer immunity or statutorily limit liability, even in the event a prerelease is objectively reasonable.

Prerelease has been a popular topic of conversation in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey as a flood mitigation strategy. Whether and when a prerelease could actually mitigate downstream flooding is a highly fact-specific analysis, and depends importantly on the accuracy of meteorological forecasting. No hard and fast rules or guidelines regarding prerelease can be responsibly adopted. Its value, and its potential for adverse consequences, require it to be considered only in the context of each storm and each event.

Liability for Contributions to Downstream Flooding

As discussed in the last Confluence, dam and reservoir operators in Texas have been subject to takings litigation on the theory that their operations have aggravated downstream flooding. See, e.g., Tarrant Reg’l Water Dist. v.

Gragg, 151 S.W.3d 546 (Tex. 2004); Wickham v. San Jacinto River Auth., 979 S.W.2d 876, 88084 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1998, pet. denied); Sabine River Auth. v. Hughes, 92 S.W.3d 640, 642 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2002, pet. denied).

In the event that a dam operator undertook a prerelease in anticipation of a storm event, and weather conditions downstream differed from those predicted, a prerelease could cause or aggravate downstream flooding. Even if the

Howard Slobodin is General Counsel and Secretary, Board of Directors, of the Trinity River Authority of Texas. He joined the Trinity River Authority in April 2008. Prior to joining TRA, Howard practiced environmental and water law in both the public and private sectors. slobodinh@trinityra.org

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Post Oak Savannah GCD Announces New Conservation Program for Landowners

By Doug Box, Post Oak Savannah GCD

This year, 51 additional wells were added to the network, with a focus on wells within the Carrizo-Wilcox outcrop.

Consistent with their mission to conserve, preserve and protect the groundwater resources in Milam and Burleson Counties, the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District (District) Board of Directors has created an opportunity for landowners to partner with the District in conserving the aquifers in the Central Carrizo-Wilcox area. This new program is called the Post Oak Savannah GCD Aquifer Conservancy Program (PACP). The purpose of the PACP is to encourage and reward landowners to conserve their groundwater by placing their resource into this long term act of stewardship. “This is a very exciting

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program where individual landowners can work together with the District to protect the water in our aquifers,” said Burleson County Judge Mike Sutherland. POSGCD General Manager Gary Westbrook added, “The PACP is structured similarly to other existing conservation programs, and in this case, the PACP rewards landowners for conserving their groundwater.”

The PACP will be funded by fees collected by the District and participation in this innovative program will be completely voluntary.

Participating landowners will maintain both ownership of their land and control of their private property rights while setting aside

Below: The POSGCD Board of Directors hopes to create a legacy of stewardship by enabling landowners to commit their groundwater resources into a long-term conservation program.

Left: Information collected in the well monitoring program assists the district in its management goals and rules.

those precious resources for future generations.

Milam County Judge David Barkemeyer stated, “As empowered by the State of Texas, Post Oak has done an exemplary job of protecting the aquifers below each landowner’s property while preserving each landowner’s right to produce their water.”

In addition to a financial reward for this legacy effort, landowners can still drill or maintain wells for domestic or livestock use which are exempt from permitting under District Rules. Length of time for PACP terms will be 5, 10, or 20 years. Exact amounts of payment are yet to be determined, but preliminary estimates are $5-$6 per acre per year, with bonuses paid for longer terms.

Also, participation in the PACP will not exclude landowners from participating in any of the other popular District programs, such as classes and grants for Rainwater Harvesting, grants for plugging abandoned water wells, and the recently developed Groundwater Well Assistance Program (GWAP). Other POSGCD programs include groundwater conservation grants for local fire departments who use water saving materials and devices, and local water utilities who install water saving devices or replace obsolete or deteriorating water lines.

POSGCD Board President Sidney Youngblood added, “This is further evidence of how our Board responds to the concerns of the citizens in our District.”

landowners who wish to participate, the District is conducting a survey through printed mail-out, face-to-face contact at town hall meetings, and electronic methods. Second, the District is engaging landowners to get the message out to their friends and neighbors about this opportunity.

History

Post Oak Savannah GCD was created in 2001 to regulate production and export of groundwater from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers in its area, and is part of both GMA 8 and GMA 12. The District is funded by fees collected on permits and is directed by 10 board members.

POSGCD currently has a staff of five full time employees who provide information and education for local citizens and officials on groundwater resources and water conservation.

With two of the employees engaged in monitoring and evaluation of data, the District has aggressively built a comprehensive water well monitoring network to ensure compliance with its management plan.

To learn more about POSGCD please visit their website at www.posgcd.org.

Doug Box is the Post Oak Savannah GCD Education Coordinator. Previously, Doug spent 22 years as Executive Director of the Texas Professional Photographers Association. He is a storyteller, photographer, videographer and professional speaker. dbox@posgcd.org

POSGCD reaches out

To make this program a success, the District is engaging landowners in two ways; First, to gather information about the number of

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A Fort Worth Transformation: The Creation of Panther Island

By JD Granger, Trinity River Vision Authority

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An aerial view of what Panther Island will look like once completed.

Fort Worth, Texas has enjoyed explosive population growth since the levees were built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the 1960s. At the time these levees were constructed, Fort Worth had a population of approximately 350,000 people. Today, Fort Worth is now the 15th largest city in the nation with a population approaching 900,000. This growth brings both opportunities and challenges. One of the challenges identified by USACE in early 2000s was the need for enhancement of the current floodway system in Fort Worth due to growth and related development. Working with the local partners: Trinity River Vision Authority, Tarrant Regional Water District, City of Fort Worth, and Tarrant County and Streams and Valleys, Inc., USACE designed flood infrastructure that includes: a 1.5-mile bypass channel, three new flood gates, expanded storm water valley storage opportunities and a new dam. The design provides: flood protection for nearly 2,400 acres of neighborhoods in Fort Worth, ecosystem restoration, recreation and urban redevelopment opportunities. The goal of the project is to develop flood control infrastructure that not only makes the city safer but also provides a unique opportunity for recreation and future development. As a product of this forward thinking, Panther Island was created.

Fort Worth’s population is expected to increase by more than 50 percent in the next 20 years, and Panther Island will provide a sustainable, viable alternative to annexation and urban sprawl. The Panther Island plan, published in 2004, delivered progressive urban design principles that helped define a new era in Fort Worth. Bing Thom, a world renowned architect from Vancouver, was instrumental in developing the plan. He, along with local planner, James Toal, of GideonToal, incorporated modern, progressive, urban ideas into Panther Island while working with project partners to keep it within the context of North Texas and Fort Worth. This vision and long term planning for Panther Island helped create the market for the urban live, work, play model 15

BEFORE

AFTER

that continues to grow in our urban core today.

The Trinity River in Fort Worth currently has a large oxbow just north of downtown inhibiting the flow of storm water through the area. USACE’s bypass channel will circumvent the existing oxbow creating much of the flood relief needed in Fort Worth. This same bypass channel will also create the appearance of an island, Panther Island, which will double the viable size of the near downtown area.

Fort Worth is capitalizing on this opportunity creating a self-funding mechanism to fund the local share of the flood project. The newly viable area is creating taxable value that did not exist before. The property tax increment is being contributed to the project to pay the local cost share. With that goal, Fort Worth’s flood risk solution is being paid for with a new aggressive economic development initiative made up of public and private improvements that will transform a once neglected section of the Trinity River into a vibrant waterfront neighborhood, Panther Island. Panther Island will create the opportunity for housing, employment, education and recreation.

When complete, approximately 800 acres of underutilized land in the central city will be accessible for private redevelopment opportunities, doubling the size of downtown.

The Panther Island project will create 12 miles of publicly accessible waterfront consisting of a river promenade, riverwalk system and a 30-acre town lake as its centerpiece. Improved roads and vehicular and pedestrian bridges will

improve access; upgraded utilities will improve infrastructure; and environmental clean-up will improve the area after decades of heavy industrial use. The entire water body will be navigable allowing ferry boats to move visitors between downtown and the cultural districts.

An envisioned 10,000 housing units and three million square feet of commercial, retail, and educational space will make it possible for residents to live, work, shop, play and learn near the river. These improvements will make the now dysfunctional industrial area more pedestrian friendly and connect this new district to downtown.

Panther Island has already created value for waterfront property in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. For decades, development put their back to the Trinity River in Dallas and Fort Worth. Buildings fronted major roads and dumpsters and parking lots historically fronted the river. Panther Island brought a new idea to the development community which was to capitalize on the river as an added amenity with view corridors and connections to the Trinity Trails and green spaces. Panther Island’s development standards require this orientation, set back and connection.

Now, developers are voluntarily applying this standard because they understand the value of the proximity to the river. Through the planning and visioning process, project partners educated the community on how urban development could look, function and enhance quality of life if connected to the 16

Kayaking around Panther Island would be one of many attractions offered.

river. Additionally, events, a public beach, tubing and kayak and paddleboard rentals on Panther Island are changing public perception of the river creating a demand for living with access to these types of amenities. Since the creation of Panther Island, river programming and successful pilot projects capitalizing on being on the water’s edge have changed Fort Worth. In less than a decade there are now six additional river districts that have broken ground capitalizing on their proximity to the Trinity River in Fort Worth.

The project is under construction now.

Making way for the construction of the bypass channel, nearly all of the needed property has been acquired, over 200,000 cubic yards of hazardous material has been removed and utility relocations are nearing completion. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is underway on three new signature vehicular bridges that will cross the bypass channel which are slated to be completed in 2020.

USACE is in final design of the 1.5-mile long bypass channel and the first section of the interior riverwalk system is underway. The first private multi-family development, Encore Panther Island, broke ground spring of 2018.

Panther Island is truly transformational for Fort Worth. It isn’t just one policy that promotes one aspect of smart growth; it

A courtyard level rendering.

combines multiple policies, programs and projects to deliver future viability and sustainability for our region. Urban living, transportation alternatives, environmental clean-up and quality of life elements like the Trinity River Promenade and Town Lake will bring growth to Fort Worth’s central city.

JD Granger is the executive director of the Trinity River Vision Authority. He earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Granger also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Texas A&M University. trinityrivervision.org

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Water of the West An update from El Paso Water

By Josh Moniz and Melissa Bell, El Paso Water

El Paso Water Recognizes Restaurants Committed to Water Conservation If you’re dining out and wondering what the Certified Water Partner decal is on the door of your local restaurant, it’s a beacon to the community that this restaurant is going above and beyond to save water.

In May of 2017, El Paso Water started a new program that allows local businesses to become a Certified Water Sous Chef Jason Lucero poses with the Certified Water Partner seal.

Partner and showcase El Paso Tabla is one of the newest businesses to be certified.

Water’s recognition of their water conservation efforts.

“We’ll come back at no charge and at their “It’s a constant reinforcement of water convenience. We clearly tell them where they conservation,” said Norma Guzman, a certified missed the mark, what they need to do. We’re water specialist for El Paso Water. “It shows a happy to go back to see progress and whether partnership, that we’re all in it together. It’s they have done what it takes to be certified, important to go beyond just conserving water because we want them to save water,” said at home.”

Guzman.

These businesses have met best practice She stresses that all the information criteria such as installing water efficient gathered during inspection for certification kitchen equipment, faucets, and toilets, is kept confidential and at no time involves while protecting wastewater systems with enforcement or penalties of any kind. responsible fats and grease disposal.

Participation is strictly voluntary.

Tabla is one of the newest businesses to be Photos of all Certified Water Partners are certified, and Sous Chef Jason Lucero is thrilled posted and tagged on El Paso Water Facebook at the progress they’ve made in the kitchen. and Twitter pages at least a few times a year. A “We’re always able to turn on a faucet without short video also features some of the Partners. knowing exactly how much water we’re using, The publicity aims to publicly recognize these and being more conscious of it has helped how restaurants for their efforts, with hopes that much we waste,” said Lucero. other will follow.

With 25 partners since the start of the To become a Certified Water Partner, program, Guzman said she’s happy with the businesses must be local, have their own meter, positive impact the program is having on utilize best practices for water efficiency and the community. In addition to recognizing have a responsible fats and grease disposal restaurants that have good practices in system. conservation, El Paso Water also advises For more information on the program and restaurants that don’t meet criteria how they how to become certified, visit can do even more to save water by helping www.epwater.org. them develop a plan of action to qualify for 18 certification.

El Paso Water Promotes the “Don’t Trash EP” Campaign Every year, El Paso Water and the City of El Paso’s Environmental Services crews clear more than 140,000 pounds of illegally dumped trash from our waterways and areas across our community. The work can range from the mundane to the unusual with crews pulling out everything from tires to sofas to a mounted deer head.

“You never really know what to expect sometimes,” said EPWater Code Compliance Supervisor Steve Teran. “We can sometimes find weird stuff.”

Despite some of the unusual finds, illegal dumping is no laughing matter. Stormwater maintenance crews work year-round to ensure storm drains, channels and canals are operational for the monsoon season. It takes only a few unfortunately placed bags of trash or an abandoned mattress to turn a functioning canal into a serious flood safety risk for surrounding homes and businesses.

Just last summer, for example, when Doniphan Drive was flooded with several feet of water, crews found a tossed car bumper blocking a storm drain.

To drive home how widespread this problem is in El Paso, here’s just a few of the items EPWater crews recently pulled from our waterways: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Large piles of trash bags; Palm tree trimmings; Stacks of used tires; Mattresses, couches and reclining chairs; An entire DVD collection; An entire toy collection; New or broken televisions and DVD players; Drilling waste; Several unsafe barrels of acid; A porcelain toilet; Several shopping carts; An entire car bumper; and A mounted deer head.

An abandoned chair found in a flooded canal.

Several of these items and other household wastes can be safely discarded at the City of El Paso’s Citizen Collection Centers.

If you witness illegal dumping, report it by calling 311. Providing responders with the time, location and useful details like the vehicle’s license plate number helps catch repeat offenders. Your efforts not only help keep El Paso clean, but the call could prevent flooding in your neighborhood.

For more information visit DontTrashEP.com.

Josh Moniz works as a Lead Public Affairs Coordinator with El Paso Water. With an emphasis on social media, he manages media interviews, plans social media posts, shoots informational videos and writes stories for the utility’s website. Originally hailing from Minnesota, he has worked with the Minnesota House of Representative’s newspaper and several other newspapers.

Melissa Bell works as a Lead Public Affairs Coordinator with El Paso Water. With a focus on external utility communication, her responsibilities include construction outreach, staff writing, and website content.

Prior to her service with the utility, Melissa worked with the United States Army as a journalist for Fort Benning’s Maneuver Center of Excellence.

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LLLLL NNNNNN VVVVVV AAAAAAAAA

Water | Wastewater | Solid Waste | Electric Asset Appraisals

Economic Feasibility Studies

CCN Valuations

Litigation Support

Cost of Service and Rates

Procurements

Providing for the present and long term freshwater needs of our municipal, agricultural and industrial customers.

www.newgenstrategies.net David S. Yanke | (512) 649-1254 | dyanke@newgenstrategies.net Chris Ekrut | (972) 232-2234 | cekrut@newgenstrategies.net

7850 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, Texas 77708

www.lnva.dst.tx.us 409.892.4011

Want to join TWCA? View membership benefits at www.twca.org.

TWCA turns 75 next year.

Be on the lookout for information about the festivities.

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Upcoming TWCA/NWRA Events: August 1-3, 2018 NWRA Western Water Seminar Park City, Utah

Hello, future Jacobs and CH2M are now one great firm serving our Texas municipal clients with planning, design, design-build and contract operations services. The same great people providing local client service and bringing proven world class technical solutions.

October 1-3, 2018 NWRA October Fly-in Washington, D.C. October 17-19, 2018 TWCA Fall Conference San Antonio, Texas

Everything is possible.

November 7-9, 2018 NWRA 87th Annual Conference Coronado, CA January 10-11, 2019 TWCA/TRWA Water Law Seminar Austin, Texas

Find out more at www.jacobs.com or follow us @joinjacobs

CH2M is now Jacobs.

March 6-8, 2019 TWCA Annual Convention Cedar Creek, Texas NEW DATE FOR THIS EVENT: March 19-21, 2019 TWCA Texas Water Day Washington, D.C.

Don’t Miss The TWCA/TWRA Water Law Seminar January 10-11, 2019 More info available at www.twca.org.

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Conservation Efforts: Meeting Regulators’ and Customers’ Needs While Extending Supplies*

By Nathan Vassar Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C.

Effective water conservation is among the most important water development practices for water suppliers and their customers.

While its value for water suppliers includes environmental stewardship and being respectful of a limited natural resource, it is also a critical planning tool that can be used to extend the useful life of existing supplies. In fact, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (“TCEQ”) definition of “conservation” focuses on the use and effective management of water supplies for the purpose of future or alternative uses. Further, for water rights holders and for permitting purposes, TCEQ requires the adoption and implementation of conservation plans. To date, the water supply planning series has mostly focused on regulatory tools and water right application strategies that can be useful in managing and stretching water supplies. Conservation, however, should be a part of every water supply strategy discussion, regardless of the particular effort(s) being pursued, and in light of both regulatory expectations and conservation’s farreaching impacts on water supply management.

TCEQ requires Water Conservation Plans to be submitted every five years for most surface water right holders and for retail public water suppliers with at least 3,300 or more connections. Specific requirements are found in Chapter 288 of the Texas Administrative Code (Title 30), but they include a set of minimum expectations for record/data management, specific targets for water savings (including reductions in gallons per capita per day (“GPCD”)), public education programs, enforcement practices, and rate structures that encourage reasonable water use, among others. As part of their Chapter 288 obligations, utilities must provide TCEQ with implementation reports demonstrating conservation measures implemented, along with supporting data. For some entities, plans must include leak detection/water loss

accounting, as well as contracting mandates that require wholesale customers to adopt and implement their own water conservation plan in their wholesale water purchase agreements.

TCEQ’s conservation plan requirements are also relevant in the context of water rights applications, where an applicant must include its water conservation plan (along with drought contingency plans, which are developed for a completely different purpose—addressing water management during times of water shortages), in order to meet requirements of Chapters 295 and 297 of the Texas Administrative Code (Title 30). Such requirements include compliance with the base Chapter 288 mandates, and where applicable, plans that describe technologies and techniques to “reduce the consumption of water, prevent or reduce the loss or waste of water, maintain or improve the efficiency in the use of water, increase the recycling and reuse of water, or prevent the pollution of water.” In order to appropriate new or additional state water, an applicant must demonstrate that it has evaluated “any other feasible alternative to new water development.”

Further, it is the applicant’s burden to show that there is no feasible alternative to the proposed appropriation.

As TCEQ examines water rights applications, it reviews water conservation plans to determine if the requested appropriation is necessary in light of practicable alternatives, whether the requested quantities are reasonable and necessary, and if reasonable diligence will be employed to avoid water waste. Further, on certain federal water permitting efforts (including Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting for water supply projects), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conduct similar analyses of conservation practices before they can approve applications.

Water suppliers face a number of challenges in their implementation of water conservation 22

plans, whether technical, legal, or on the public relations front. As recommended throughout the series, the right team can help identify best practices that have been employed across Texas and those that have secured regulatory approval. Given the climate diversity in Texas, a one-size fits all approach is neither wise nor mandated by law when it comes to determining appropriate conservation tools, their implementation, and the resulting impact on a community’s water use and GPCD. Indeed, water conservation initiatives and GPCD expectations in rural Texas have differed significantly from those in urban areas and such variations will continue. The courts have recognized and endorsed such differences.

In the specific context of interbasin transfer applications, the Texas First Court of Appeals has determined that the statutory requirement that an applicant’s water conservation plan result in the “highest practicable levels of water conservation and efficiency” does not mean satisfying a fixed standard, but whether an applicant is “capable of putting into practice and carrying out [such water conservation measures] in its jurisdiction.” Upper Trinity Reg’l Water Dist. v. Nat’l Wildlife Fed’n, 514 S.W.3d 855, 863 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017), reh’g denied (Mar. 30, 2017). As such, meeting the needs of a particular region/customer base, and doing so in a manner that accounts for the area’s or the customer’s unique circumstances, is important in developing and implementing sound and effective water conservation plans.

Effective implementation also requires more than just meeting regulators’ needs, particularly as water usage and rates are impacted. Public perception challenges are driven by many factors, including often, the public’s lack of appreciation of the true value of water, the realities of weather pattern change, and the rate hikes that are sometimes necessary to cover a utility’s financial obligations when conservation may have resulted in water usage declines (resulting in reduced revenues from sales of water), among others. Accordingly, well-executed public relations and education efforts are also critical in order to explain the importance of water conservation and the water supplier’s own costs for infrastructure used to serve its customers. *This article is the seventh in an ongoing series of water supply planning and implementation articles to be published in Confluence that address simple, smart ideas for consideration and use by water suppliers in their comprehensive water supply planning efforts.

Nathan Vassar is an attorney in the firm’s Water Practice Group. Nathan’s practice focuses on representing clients in regulatory compliance, water resources development and water quality matters. He regularly appears before state and federal administrative agencies. nvassar@lglawfirm.com

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You are a Communicator. We all are.

By Megan Yoo Schneider Seven Management and Consulting, Inc. I’m a __________________.

What do you fill the blank with? Professional, engineer, operator, technician, accountant, manager, employee – the possibilities are endless. Our profession is filled with a myriad of opportunities and a diverse array of professionals. It literally takes a village to protect our public health and the environment.

But – how often do we all refer to ourselves as communicators? Every single human being is a communicator. It’s the thread that weaves us all as individual human beings together into community. From the minute we are born, we learn to communicate to express our needs and desires. We cry for food, for attention, for love. As we grow older, we learn to label ourselves based on our careers, our skill sets, and our training, but we often overlook one fundamental element – that no matter what we do, where we come from, or how we want to look at it – we are all communicators.

It’s how our society exists. It’s how we meld individuals into a community. It’s how we get our work done.

Last month, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of speaking at the inaugural Catalyst mastermind conference in San Antonio, Texas.

It was a sold-out event and the first of its kind for water educators and communicators in Texas. We had a plethora of opportunities to network, learn, and engage in many incredible sessions. In fact, it was during one of the breaks that I met your very own Adeline Fox, which led to the culmination of this article.

Throughout the conference, over the course of a few days, I was constantly reminded of the fact that most people considered people like myself an “anomaly” or an “outlier” because many would look at my education and employment history and call me, by definition, an “engineer.” As we know, that word carries a lot of stereotypes and stigma – most of which are the antithesis of what an effective

communicator should be.

Thanks to several incredible opportunities early on in my professional career and education, I quickly learned the value of communication and collaboration. In fact, at an engineering leadership workshop, I participated in an exercise that turned out to be a personality test of sorts. We were all instructed to go to one of the four corners of the room, based on our results.

I was the only one in my corner.

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In a moment of curiosity and minor panic, I asked the facilitator if there was perhaps a mistake. She chuckled and indicated to me that these results were “quite typical,” but she assured me that I was in the right corner and that had she participated in the exercise herself, she would have ended up in the same corner.

As we learned more about the characteristics and personality traits associated with our results, it dawned on me. While I can be extremely analytical and detail-oriented, I was also wired to be a big picture thinker, a communicator, and a bridge-builder. I realized that my role in our profession was to serve as the bridge-builder between the many different and diverse stakeholders, especially between the technical and non-technical groups. I was to be a connector and relationship-builder.

Years later, I can attest to the fact that one of the most useful skills in my life is my ability to connect the dots and serve as a connector of people, ideas, and things through relationships.

Throughout the years, I realized that we really need to learn to value each other’s strengths and build upon each other’s strengths. We need to stop focusing on each other’s weaknesses to find the weakest link in the chain. Instead, we need to identify and value each other’s talents and skills because the combined benefits of all our strengths can easily overcome our

How would you approach your job if the word “communicator” was included in your job description?

Greg Wukasch, Megan Yoo Schneider, Ryan Beltran, Arianne Shipley, Stephanie Zavala, George Hawkins, and Travis Loop pose during the Catalyst conference.

individual weaknesses. We need to start recognizing and acknowledging the beauty in the fact that no two individuals are entirely alike. Our differences and unique sets of experiences and talents enable us to develop more comprehensive and robust teams that can pivot and address a larger array of projects and issues with greater success.

These realizations are not new or profound.

In fact, organizational behavior experts and professional development coaches have been driving these points for years, but why is it so hard to shift the organizational culture in our industry?

we create community. It’s how we advance as a society.

So – what can you do today to further your communications? How can you view your role in your profession through a slightly different lens? How would you approach your job if the word “communicator” was included in your job description?

Imagine how our approach to our projects and programs could shift if we all took this perspective. Wouldn’t it be amazing? It can happen, and it must start with you. Start today and keep working on it. Effective communication is contagious. Those around you will notice something is different, and eventually, you’ll be able to realize the ripple effect.

Over the next few months, I’d love to hear from you. I’d love to hear your stories, your experiences, and your feedback. If you have any questions or any topics you’d like to read more about, please let me know. I am here for you!

You can reach me at megan@viistrategies.com.

It all boils down to communication.

You are a communicator.

We all are.

We are all responsible for effective communications with each other. If we can achieve success in communicating amongst our different internal stakeholders, we can become more effective with our external stakeholders.

If we can improve our communications and coordination between different departments, various technical groups, and other agencies, imagine how comprehensive and cohesive our projects and programs could be.

Sure, we can label ourselves with our educational backgrounds, our experiences, and our employment history, but at the end of the day, we are all human beings. It goes back to the fact that as human beings, we are all communicators. It’s how we coexist. It’s how

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Megan Yoo Schneider is a communicator, an engineer, a creative, a genuine relationship-builder, a passionate strategizer, an enthusiastic doer, and a connector. Over the last 12 years, Megan has had the opportunity to work for a myriad of private sector consulting firms and for several public agencies. She currently serves as the elected Director of Division 7 for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, in addition to her role as President of Seven Management and Consulting, Inc. Megan has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a Specialization in Environmental Engineering, an M.S. in Engineering with a Concentration in Environmental Engineering, and she is a licensed Civil Engineer in the State of California.

2018 MID-YEAR CONFERENCE RECAP

By Adeline Fox, TWCA

The sun was shining and the lake water spillway project glistening during the recent TWCA Mid-Year • Win legislative proposal for floatable litter Conference. Wednesday events included public prevention funds investment training, a service project Thursday ended with a great TWCA Risk in partnership with the San Jacinto River Management Fund 30-year anniversary Authority, and the 12th Annual Jim Adams celebration.

Memorial Golf Tournament.

Friday had another great lineup of speakers For this year’s service project, we placed and topics. From cyber security to case law, and educational medallions near storm drains in a from development of a new flood warning tool Conroe neighborhood with the help of SJRA. in Bandera to federal affairs updates, the day Panel and committee meetings kicked off was filled with important information. Newly Thursday morning. From there, Texas Parks and appointed Texas Water Development Board Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Member Brooke Paup provided the morning Smith gave an enthusiastic and interesting keynote. The conference wrapped up with keynote address highlighting his “average” attorney and engineering ethics. work day. Let’s just say that his job doesn’t We’d like to thank all of our sponsors, seem boring! Other topics throughout the volunteers and attendees for making the Midafternoon included: Year Conference another successful TWCA • Disaster and flood response in Houston event.

• Panther Island flood control project Stay tuned for event information regarding • Subsidence risk evaluation study the upcoming Fall Conference October 17-19, • Post Oak Savannah Groundwater 2018 in San Antonio.

Conservation District’s Aquifer Conservancy Program • Franklin County Water District emergency 26

Service Project Crew

Golf Tournament winners

Thank you, volunteers!

Golf Club at La Torretta

First place team: David Collinsworth, Bech Bruun, Dan Buhman and Jim Oliver.

We’d like to give a special thanks to Shane Simpson, Colleen Adams, and Melissa Lanclos with SJRA for coordinating this project.

Key highlights include: • TWCA Risk Management Fund turned 30 and celebrated with a wonderful reception.

• TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith received a President’s Award from Immediate Past President Michael J. Booth.

Second place team: David Parkhill, Dean Robbins, Jace Houston, Ronnie Anderson and Mitchell Page.

• Yvonne Forrest with City of Houston replaced Hope Wells on the Municipal Panel.

• Chairpersons have been appointed to oversee strategic planning subcommittees.

• The flood response committee last met in Bastrop on April 19 - Next meeting set for July 19 and will be reported on at the Fall Conference • Groundwater committee hopes to meet in August to prioritize legislative topics.

• M&S participated in the second service project.

About 20 people helped place storm drain medallions throughout a Conroe neighborhood.

Third place team: Scott Hall, David Montagne, Doug Anders, Glenn Martin and Walt Sears.

• TWCA will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2019. A planning committee will be appointed by President Hope Wells. We will also create a video documenting history and stories of TWCA.

Longest drive: Closest to the pin:

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Bobby Adams Bech Bruun

Photos from the M&S Service Project

Thank you to the following volunteers!

Kimley-Horn: Connie Curtis, Justin Linton, James Bryan, Stephen Kelley, and Lance McLeod SAWS: Hope Wells Booth, Ahrens & Werkenthin, P.C.: Maia Corbitt & Ilissa Nolan SJRA: Tom Michel HDR: Cory Shockley and daughter Emma

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Photos from the Mid-Year Conference

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith kicks off the conference with a keynote address.

Tarrant Regional Water District’s General Manager Jim Oliver discusses the Panther Island project.

Texas Water Development Board Director Brooke Paup provides the keynote address on Friday during the conference.

Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District’s General Manager Gary Westbrook introduces the new Aquifer Conservancy Program.

TWCA Immediate Past President Michael J. Booth, TPWD’s Carter Smith, and TWCA President Hope Wells pose as Carter receives a President’s Award.

Booth, Ahrens & Werkenthin’s Maia Corbitt discusses legislation regarding floatable litter prevention.

Brazos River Authority’s David Collinsworth, Corps of Engineer’s Mark Mazzanti, North Texas Municipal Water District’s Tom Kula, Caver & Associates’ Fred Caver, and Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc.’s Tom Ray discuss the future of the Corps and its role in civil works.

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Risk Management Fund’s 30th Anniversary Reception

The TWCA RIsk Management Fund board and staff pose with the TWCA staff (minus Becky Arledge).

(L to R): John Grant, David Montagne, Norman Ashton, Sonia Lambert, Sonny Hinojosa, Wayne Halbert, Ron Neighbors and Dean Robbins.

Not pictured: Bruce Knott, Lori Traweek, Alvin Schuerg, Rodney Rhoades, Jace Houston and Kathy Turner Jones.

Tim and Alicia with TWCA RMF, and Sam, formerly with TWCA RMF, enjoy catching up.

Stan Kitzman, Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, and Richard Wigzell, TWCA RMF, chat as guests start arriving for the reception.

There was great decor and food!

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Thank you to the TWCA MidYear Conference Sponsors!

The next event is right around the corner!

TWCA Risk Management Fund Thursday Evening Reception Carollo Engineers, Inc. Wednesday Evening Reception on behalf of the Membership & Services Committee Blanton & Associates, Inc. Ice Cream Treats Break

Fall Conference

Aqua Strategies Coffee Breaks

October 17-19, 2018

Jones Carter Lanyards

Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk

Dannenbaum Engineering Name Badges PLATINUM

Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP HALFF Associates, Inc. INTERA, Inc LJA Engineering, Inc. Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. North Harris County Regional Water Authority North Texas Municipal Water District Sabine River Authority of Texas San Antonio Water System Tarrant Regional Water District Trinity River Authority of Texas

GOLD

BGE, Inc. HDR Engineering, Inc. NewGen Strategies & Solutions, LLC San Jacinto River Authority WSP USA, Inc.

SILVER

Alan Plummer Associates, Inc. Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP Carollo Engineers, Inc. Freese & Nichols, Inc. Gulf Coast Authority HilltopSecurities Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Robert J. Brandes Consulting Ron Lewis & Associates RPS SledgeLaw Group PLLC Stantec BRONZE Clearwater UWCD Law Offices of Glenn Jarvis LRE Water, Inc. NorrisLeal, PLLC

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A Q&A with the Lone Star GCD General Manager, Kathy Turner Jones Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

A: I guess I would have to say, housewife and mother. I often joke that who I am today is not who I thought I would be. Coming from rural farming area, it seemed destined that I would marry and raise a family of my own just like my mother and several generations before me.

And, that is exactly what I did.

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Q: How did you get involved with groundwater management?

A: I am a native Texan, having lived the majority of my life in the High Plains area before moving to Montgomery County in 2002. I was raised as a dryland cotton farmer’s daughter during the 70’s near the farming community of Tokio, Texas. As the youngest of two girls, driving a tractor and working in the fields many long summer days and spring breaks, I often referred to myself as my father’s only son he never had. I graduated from high school in Plains, Texas and quickly married.

Life was soon followed by two beautiful daughters. At the age of 28, I enrolled in college for the first time. Fast forward twenty plus years, two associate degrees later and a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Business, I began my next and final educational goal graduating this past December with a Master of Water Management degree within the Water Management & Hydrologic Science program at Texas A&M University. Whew, done!

I am a Grammie. My daughters have blessed me with three amazing grandchildren that I adore and would love to spoil more often. My oldest daughter, a graduate of Sam Houston State University, lives in Marshall Texas with her husband and my grandson Cade (12).

My youngest daughter attended South Plains College and makes her home in Seminole, Texas with her husband and my two precious granddaughters, Dallas (8) and Mollie Kate (4).

A: Groundwater management may seem like an unusual choice for a farmer’s daughter.

But in the early 1990’s (while completing my first associates degree), at the encouragement of a very close friend, I began my career in groundwater resources. This first position I had was as an administrative assistant with the Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District in Yoakum County, which has now flourished into an active and reputable groundwater district. Today, I am the general manager of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) of Montgomery County.

Q: How do you explain your job to people who don’t work in water?

A: I have been in a few situations where friends have begged the inquirer not to ask because my job appears to be “very boring with lots of technical stuff...and you wouldn’t understand anyway.” So, on those occasions where I am able to discuss and describe my job and role within groundwater management, I stress that water is a valuable natural resource and its use must be managed so that future generations will also have a resource. That said, my job is to offer policies, procedures and rules 32

for managing groundwater consumption to my board that protect the natural resource through reliable science and technology. The science and technology assist in predicting groundwater recharge and consumption.

Additionally, my job is to manage the staff involved in permitting, and public education, as well as ensure that the public is getting value for the dollars paid associated with their groundwater withdrawal. I always jump at the opportunity to help people understand the intended purposes of regional water supplies, and to teach them that there are a number of entities and processes involved. A lot happens before that water comes out of their tap.

a lot of interplay between the policy and the science. The policy goal has to strike a balance between competing interests in groundwater – namely conserving water for tomorrow and limiting negative impacts of production on one end and providing for the water needs of today on the other end. Balancing considerations, like private property rights and socioeconomic impacts can be very difficult.

Q: What are some up-and-coming technologies that GCDs are using?

A: New or updated groundwater availability models to include increased real-time hydrological and water availability data for long-term groundwater management decisions.

Interestingly as well, USGS recently released a new interactive web application that we are very excited about. The app illustrates how groundwater, sediment compaction and landelevation change are related in the HoustonGalveston region in Texas. Other evolving technologies expected to play a major role in future subsidence detection as science improves include LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and INSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar).

Q: Did you always think you’d work in the groundwater industry?

A: No. It honestly never crossed my mind until I had the opportunity to work for the Sandy Land UWCD. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment as the LSGCD GM? A: Under my stewardship, the LSGCD has established an office in Conroe, built a core staff and office operation, established a well permitting and registration system, and approved district rules. In addition, I have spearheaded many data-driven initiatives over the last decade: compiling hydrologic information on the characteristics of the Upper Gulf Coast Aquifer, engineering planning, information on water usage and water supply in Montgomery County, and implementing regulatory procedures associated with the District’s Groundwater Regulatory Plan.

Q: What was it like to meet Mario Lopez last month?

A: Hmmm, never one to be a groupie and not sure why all the hype, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Matter of fact, I had no idea who Mario Lopez even was until one of my daughters loudly exclaimed, “OMG Mother, he is A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell!” I quickly then reminded her that was her generation, not mine. Needless to say, I soon realized a lot of women, of all ages, wanted to meet Mr. Lopez and get their picture made with him. Which now included me once I saw his adorable dimples.

Q: What are some challenges of managing a groundwater district?

A: Groundwater district’s strive to maintain a balance between protecting the rights of private landowners and the responsibility to protect water resources. In practice there is 33

Water Users Set to Weigh in on NEPA Permitting Reform

the CEQ highlighting ways to improve this important regulatory process.

NWRA’s comments will be partially based on recommendations it developed with TWCA and other members last year that focused on improving permitting processes at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Recommendations will include common sense suggestions aimed at streamlining the permitting process by encouraging expanded use of Categorical Exclusions, concurrent agency review, use of dedicated project managers, and removing the Environmental Protection Agency’s veto authority.

As always, a fundamental principle underlying all of NWRA’s comments will be emphasizing the need for the federal government to recognize that states play an important role in water management. TWCA and NWRA members know that the federal government must not infringe on state allocated water rights.

The comment period on NEPA reform is open until August 20, 2018. If you would like to review the CEQ request for comment please visit the following link: https://www.regulations.gov/ document?D=CEQ-2018-0001-0001 As NWRA works to represent western water user interests in our nation’s capitol, it will continue to welcome the recommendations of TWCA members. As a member of TWCA you are a member of NWRA and can help protect water user interests. If you would like additional information about NWRA or if you would like to make suggestions on ways to improve NEPA and federal permitting process, please feel free to contact NWRA Executive Vice President Ian Lyle at ilyle@nwra.org or at 202-698-0693.

By Ian Lyle, NWRA Our nation is blessed to have one of the most comprehensive water infrastructure systems the world has ever seen. This infrastructure allows almost all Americans to access water with the turn of a tap. From irrigation to municipal and industrial water supply operations our water infrastructure is truly a wonder of the modern world.

Water managers’ ability to provide the critical water that our nation depends on is directly influenced by the role and scope of federal regulation. Ensuring an appropriate regulatory environment that is transparent and not overly burdensome is vital.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is one of our nations principal environmental regulations. President Nixon signed it into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA established a federal policy to “create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” These are broadly supported laudable goals. However, as often happens, the transition from principle to practice isn’t always seamless.

NEPA is still a valuable statute, but what started as a well-intentioned law has, over the years, produced numerous additional regulations and guidance documents. Today, NEPA processes can be cumbersome, costly, and time consuming. Despite this, it has only undergone one substantive review in its forty plus year history. That is until now.

Earlier this summer the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced that it is seeking recommendations from stakeholders like water users on ways to improve NEPA. The National Water Resources Association (NWRA) is currently drafting recommendations that it will present to

Ian is the Executive Vice President of the National Water Resources Association (NWRA). The NWRA is a Washington, DC based federation made up of agricultural and municipal water providers, state associations including TWCA, and individuals dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and efficient management of our nation’s most important natural resource, water. ilyle@nwra.org

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Get to Know Your Board Members This is a game like Guess Who (minus the photos). Try to match the board member with the fact. Find the answer key on Page 39.

1. Drew Satterwhite

Former agricultural science teacher

2. Lori Traweek

Born and raised in San Marcos, TX

3. Dan Buhman

Worked as a paralegal for the City of Philadelphia

4. John Hofmann

Served as Rick Perry’s liaison for the Texas House of Representatives

5. Heather Cooke 6. Sonny Hinojosa

Has worked for the same authority since 1993

7. Michael J. Booth

Current employer supplies water to 2.1 million people in Region C

8. Emily Rogers

Originally from Fritch, Texas

9. Hope Wells

Received law degree at Saint Mary’s in 1982 Works for a public utility serving one of the fastest growing cities in Texas

10. David Montagne

Appointed to the Board of Regents for the Texas State University System

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TWCA Board of Directors 2018-2019 HOPE WELLS President DAVID MONTAGNE President-Elect MICHAEL J. BOOTH Immediate Past President DRAINAGE DISTRICT

Mike Yost, Pearland – 2019 (Chair) Kim Carroll, Beaumont – 2019 (EC) Don Carona, Orange – 2019 Chris Gallion, Clute – 2020 Andre’ McDonald, Sugarland – 2021 Alan Moore, Harlingen – 2020 Stan Kitzman, Brookshire – 2021

GENERAL & ENVIRONMENTAL

Timothy Brown, Austin– 2020 (Chair) Martin Rochelle, Austin– 2019 (EC) Carolyn Ahrens, Austin– 2021 David Harkins, Austin– 2020 Robert M. Johnson, Dallas– 2019 Tom Ray, Waco– 2019 Ed Shackelford, Woodlands– 2021 GROUNDWATER Drew Satterwhite, Denison– 2019 (Chair) Kathy Turner Jones, Conroe– 2021 (EC) Dirk Aaron, Belton– 2020 Joe B. Cooper, Stephenville– 2019 Jim Conkwright, Lubbock – 2019 John Seifert, Houston– 2020 Brian Sledge, Austin– 2021 INDUSTRIAL James Kowis, Austin– 2019 (Chair) Glenn Lord, Freeport– 2021 (EC) Lori Traweek, Houston– 2020 Greg Carter, Austin– 2021 Jimmie Schindewolf, Houston– 2019 Sara Tays, Austin– 2019 Paulina Williams, Austin– 2020

IRRIGATION

Sonny Hinojosa, San Juan – 2020 (Chair) Glenn Jarvis, McAllen – 2021 (EC) Troy Allen, Edcouch – 2019 Tom McLemore, Harlingen – 2020 Kyle Miller, Wichita Falls – 2019 Tito Nieto, Los Fresnos – 2019 Steve Walthour, Dumas – 2021

MUNICIPAL

Wayne Owen, Fort Worth – 2020 (Chair) Fiona Allen, Arlington – 2021 (EC) Fred Arce, San Antonio – 2020 Jun Chang, Houston – 2019 Heather Cooke, Austin – 2019 Denis Qualls, Dallas – 2019 Yvonne Forrest, Houston – 2021 NAVIGATION & FLOOD CONTROL Lyn Clancy, Austin – 2021 (Chair) Tom Gooch, Fort Worth – 2019 (EC) Carolyn Brittin, Austin – 2020 Dan Buhman, Fort Worth – 2020 Patrick Brzozowski, Edna – 2021 Doug Caroom, Austin – 2019 Mary Beth Stengler, Anahuac – 2019 RIVER AUTHORITIES Kevin Ward, Arlington – 2019 (Chair) Walt Sears, Hughes Springs – 2019 (EC) Scott Hall, Beaumont – 2019 John Hofmann, Austin – 2020 David Montagne, Orange – 2020 Kent Satterwhite, Sanford – 2021 Cole Walker, Big Spring – 2021 UTILITY DISTRICTS John Chisholm, San Antonio – 2021 (Chair) Michael F. Thuss, San Antonio – 2019 (EC) Kelley Holcomb, Lufkin – 2019 Donna Howe, Austin – 2019 Robert Lux, Spring – 2021 David Weidman, Mount Vernon – 2020 Christopher Wingert, Abilene – 2020

37

PAST TWCA PRESIDENTS Franklin B. Moon, Houston John H. Specht, Pocatello, ID R.H. “Bob” Parker, Houston Fred N. Pfeiffer, San Antonio Sam. F Collins, Newton Ronald J. Neighbors, LaGrange James P. Murphy, Angleton Danny F. Vance, Arlington Robert Lee Johnson, Dallas Robert J. Huston, Austin Con Mims, Uvalde Alan H. Plummer Jr., Fort Worth James M. Oliver, Fort Worth Robert Wagner, Crystal City A.T. “Tommy” Hebert Jr., Beaumont W.E. “Bill” West Jr., Seguin C.E. Williams, White Deer Wayne Halbert, Harlingen Robert H. Lloyd, Austin Joseph J. Beal, Bastrop Peggy W. Glass, Austin Gregory E. Rothe, Hondo John E. Burke, Bastrop Jerry L. Clark, Buna M. Jeff Taylor, Houston Sonia Lambert, San Benito James M. Parks, Wylie Luana Buckner, Hondo Phillip J. Ford, Waco Robert J. Brandes, Austin John W. Grant, Big Spring Phil Kelley, Port Arthur

PRESIDENTS’ PANEL Ty Embrey, Austin – 2019 Randy Palachek, Austin – 2019 Tom Kula, Wylie – 2020 Emily Rogers, Austin – 2020 David Collinsworth, Waco – 2021 Ronda Trow, Conroe – 2021

How well do you know your TWCA staff?

If you were an animal what would you be and why?

DEAN

STACEY

An Orca. Great environment, a life of adventure, good longevity, abundant food supply, no predators, no apparent worries.

A hippogriff. Oh wait, it has to be real? Okay then a moose. They live in the most beautiful habitats and you don’t want to mess with one.

LISA

ADELINE

I would be a dolphin. Everybody loves a dolphin, so why not?

I would be an African elephant because they have such a close connection to each other and the matriarchs are in charge.

BECKY A wolf. Because they are awesome…beautiful…baby they rule! I love how they take care of each other and stay in a pack!

What’s new with TWCA?

Q1 Confluence Online Statistics

400

9:38

(users opened publication)

(average time spent reading)

reads

Welcome new members!

DeWitt County Drainage District No. 1

minutes

Beth Parker

739

Hyde Regulatory Consulting, LLC

impressions

(publication displayed to user)

Richard Hyde

Website

Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association

- Event calendar now available for members to post events - send us the event date and details.

Rusty Smith

38

Guess Who Answer Key: 1. Drew Satterwhite

6. Former agricultural science teacher

2. Lori Traweek

8. Born and raised in San Marcos, TX

3. Dan Buhman

5. Worked as a paralegal for the City of Philadelphia

4. John Hofmann 5. Heather Cooke

4. Served as Rick Perry’s liaison for the Texas House of Representatives

6. Sonny Hinojosa

2. Has worked for the same authority since 1993

7. Michael J. Booth

3. Current employer supplies water to 2.1 million people in Region C

8. Emily Rogers

1. Originally from Fritch, Texas

9. Hope Wells

7. Received law degree at Saint Mary’s in 1982

10. David Montagne

9. Works for a public utility serving one of the fastest growing cities in Texas 10. Appointed to the Board of Regents for the Texas State University System

39

Thank you Confluence Sponsors!

PLATINUM

Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP Brazos River Authority Jacobs/CH2M Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. Metropolitan Water Company, L.P. North Texas Municipal Water District Sabine River Authority Tarrant Regional Water District Trinity River Authority

GOLD

Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Dannenbaum Engineering Freese and Nichols, Inc. HALFF Associates Inc. INTERA, Inc. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Lavaca Navidad River Authority Lower Colorado River Authority Lower Neches Valley Authority NewGen Strategies & Solutions

SILVER

AECOM Colorado River Municipal Water District Gulf Coast Authority Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Northeast Texas M.W.D. Titus County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority

BRONZE

Blanton & Associates, Inc. LRE Water, LLC San Jacinto River Authority

www.twca.org | 512.472.7216