Study methods to provide affordable, state-sponsored financial assistance for small community water projects.
Background

Ninety percent of all community water systems across the country found in violation of drinking water regulations in 1991, were small system. With increased federal requirements and increasing scarcity of affordable water supplies, Texas' small communities are facing more formidable challenges than ever before in providing basic water and wastewater infrastructure.

In addition to these requirements, the unit cost of service for a small community is typically much higher when compared with larger cities because of the lack of economies of scale. The federal government predicts that this cost for smaller communities will only increase over time. In the past most of these costs were paid for with federal funds, but much of the federal funding has been reduced or eliminated in recent years. Although loans exist to help small communities, accessing "traditional" water supply and wastewater loan programs has proven to be difficult due to interest rates being established at levels to ensure self-supporting programs.
Recommendations

Review the design, mission, and goals of the Lower Neches Valley Authority.
Background

The Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) is a nonprofit organization funded entirely by the sale of water and by the services it provides. It delivers up to a billion gallons a day to cities, industries, and approximately 100 rice farms on a continuous 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week basis. The water rates charged by the LNVA are among the lowest of any river authority in the state for pumped water. In addition, the LNVA issues bonds to construct industrial waste treatment facilities and related air improvement facilities, provides public boat ramp construction on the Neches and Angelina Rivers, and works in conjunction with Texas Tech University to determine the feasibility of reestablishing a paddlefish population in the Lower Neches Basin. The LNVA provides other services to improve water quality in the region and actively participates in educational outreach programs to inform the general public and school children of its purposes and programs.
Recommendations

Study the governance, structure, and functions of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), in light of changes in the electric utility industry and other long-term changes.
Background

LCRA was created to develop a reliable water supply along the lower Colorado River; to protect the region from floods; and to provide reliable, low-cost electricity to rural areas. The LCRA's primary functions are: water and river management; power generation and energy transmission; soil conversation and water pollution control; fish and wildlife preservation; parks and recreational lands management; and community assistance and local economic development.
Recommendation

Monitor the court action and implementation of the laws from the 73rd and 74the Legislatures relating to the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
Background

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (Authority) was created in 1993 (S.B. 1477) in order to develop and implement programs for comprehensive management of the Edwards Aquifer and to allow the state to better regulate its natural resources and to avoid federal control of the aquifer. Federal courts and agencies posed legal challenges to the Authority as it was originally created, and as a result its organizational and managerial structure was changed by Texas law in 1995 (H.B. 3189) to better conform to federal rulings and law. The constitutionality of the Act which created the Authority has since been challenged, but ultimately the courts decided in favor of the Act. The plan put into action by the Act would reduce pumping from the Edwards Aquifer during critical periods. The plan's main objective would be to temporarily reduce demand on the aquifer in order to reduce the rate of spring flow decline at Comal Springs until rainfall replenishes the aquifer.
Recommendation

Conduct active oversight of agencies under the committee's jurisdiction.
Background

In January 1996 the House Committee on Natural Resources was charged with conducting active oversight of agencies under the committee's jurisdiction. The charge was undertaken by the committee as a whole.
Recommendations

The committee has no specific recommendations at the time of publication of this report, but will continue to monitor the agencies' activities with regard to National Pollution Discharge Elimination System delegation, revisions to the State Water Plan, funding for water-related programs, and other issues of state and local concern that continue to pose challenges for the agencies.