Water group approves 16 recommendations
County Judge Chris Davis represents Cherokee County on long-range planning
BY BOB BOWMAN

Directors of the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group approved 16 recommendations for a new round of planning for 20 counties in the region.

Representing Cherokee County at the meeting was County Judge Chris Davis, a recently-named board member.

The recommendations were outlined by engineering consultant Gary Graham of Beaumont during a regularly-scheduled meeting when in Nacogdoches.

Recommendations include:

• A review of population, water demands and supplies, and the proposal of new water management strategies

• A new review of water conservation strategies.

• An examination of a Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) study on electrical generation with amendments to the new East Texas water plan

• Completion of a study comparing TWDB and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality databases for small water suppliers in an attempt to reconcile differences.

• A review of new TWDB work on environmental resources with possible amendments to the East Texas plan.

• The updating of groundwater availability for the Gulf Coast aquifer.

• A study of environmental protection strategies for wetlands and fresh water associated with bays and estuaries

• The evaluation of the effects of in-stream environmental flows on water planning

• A review of alternatives for capturing, treating and storing flood flows

• A review of water bodies impacted by water quality and the impact on surface water treatment facilities

• A study of the role of reusing water in water conservation strategies

• The study of the impact of environmental flows on existing water rights permits

• A review of groundwater management predictive data

• Consideration of the formation of groundwater conservation districts in areas uncovered by existing districts

• A review and updating of agriculture water needs

• The refinement of groundwater availability impacted by water quality and geographic restrictions

The planning group also suggested 16 nominees to the TWDB's new river basin and bay area stake holders committee.

Nominated were Mel Swoboda, agriculture and irrigation; Josh W. David, free-range livestock; David Alders, concentrated animal feeding; George Goehringer, recreational water usage; Mike Norris, municipalities; Jerry D. Nichols, soil and water conservation; Darla Smith, refining; Olan Webb, chemical manufacturing; Dale Peddy, electrical generation; Mike Harbordt, paper products or timber; Wade Butler, commercial fishermen; John D. Stover, public interest groups; Kelley Holcomb, regional water planning; Walter Glenn, groundwater conservation districts; Jerry Clark, river authorities; and Dr. Matthew McBroom, environmental interests.

The planning group also acknowledged receipt of the resignation of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments of Jasper as its administrative agent and authorized the group's executive committee to begin the process of negotiation with

new agent.

The group's next meeting will be Jan. 9 in Nacogdoches.

The group serves all or parts of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Trinity and Tyler counties.