To those of you who took action on our alert opposing legislation to create an ill-advised state water grid for Texas, thank you!. Unfortunately – despite our best efforts – House Bill 3298 passed the Texas House and is now in the Texas Senate. Fortunately we have a good shot at stopping this legislation in the Senate IF you will contact your Senator immediately in opposition to HB 3298. With less than three weeks left in the legislative session, there’s no time to waste.
As you recall, HB 3298 is a bill would direct the state’s water planning agency to evaluate how to establish and operate a state water conveyance network – a massive plumbing system of pipelines, pumping stations, reservoirs, and other infrastructure to move large amounts of water around Texas. Supporters call this a “water grid” – we call it a monstrous “water gridzilla” that will trample on rural areas, agricultural producers, our state’s finances, and fish & wildlife habitat! On the House floor some cosmetic changes were made to the bill, but – to rephrase an old saying – you can put lipstick on a gridzilla but it’s still a monster!
Urge your State Senator to stop the water gridzilla in its tracks!
What Texas really needs is to enhance efforts statewide to conserve water and use it more efficiently. That should be our first priority. There may be more water movement and infrastructure in our future, but those things should be considered on a local and regional basis as needed – trying to rob one area’s water to move it around the state is only going to lead to more controversy and stalemate. Texas needs a balanced approach to water that serves the best interest of all Texans and the environment we love. Send a strong message to your Senator that HB 3298 is the wrong approach to meeting our state’s water challenges!