Hope you had a relaxing Labor Day Weekend. Many folks in District 122 experienced a surprise ending to their long weekend when a wildfire broke out in Stone Oak on Monday. Thanks to our dedicated firefighters, the fire was isolated and contained and prevented what could have been a catastrophic incident like we've seen in other parts of the state. These fires underscore the severity of the drought we're experiencing and must emphasize our need to address the state's water needs.
The driest ten months in Texas history
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the last ten months have been the driest in Texas history since 1895, when the state began keeping records. It is also the hottest summer on record for Texas. Many communities have reported a record number of 100+ degree days. It should come as no surprise then that 78 percent of Texas is under an exceptional drought category. To view the U.S. Drought Monitor site, click here. Much of the current drought is due to La Niña, a cooling of waters in the Pacific Ocean. We're currently experiencing one of the strongest La Niñas in the last century, and predictions are that we'll have below normal rainfall levels until spring 2012. September 10, 2011 is the peak of the tropical cyclone season. If La Niña returns, the winter will probably be a dry one. TCEQ is holding weekly meetings to ensure there is communication between national and state agencies and local municipalities and public water systems. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is involved in these meetings, along with folks from their 16 field offices throughout state. 6,000 public water systems have received letters from the TCEQ, urging them to curtail their usage. Currently,
This drought has provided a clear impetus to address our state's future water needs. This November, we'll have the opportunity to take action by voting for Proposition 2 in the Constitutional Amendment Election on November 8, 2011. Proposition 2 will help local communities grow and maintain their water supplies with the authorization of $6 billion in bonds by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Proposition 2 will not cost state taxpayers any money, and the bonds used through this measure will save local taxpayers money when building and financing water projects.
SB 341 - The Fix BexarMet Bill
In other water related news, yesterday, the Department of Justice provided preclearance for the election for dissolution of the BexarMet Water District. The ball is now in BexarMet's court because the legislation requires that their board call the election. The authors of the bill, Senator Uresti, Senator Wentworth, Representative Menendez and I, sent a letter urging the board's president to call an election so BexarMet ratepayers will have the opportunity to vote this November, rather than next year. Please take a moment to read this article in the San Antonio Express-News.
Wurzbach Parkway Groundbreaking
The driest ten months in Texas history
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the last ten months have been the driest in Texas history since 1895, when the state began keeping records. It is also the hottest summer on record for Texas. Many communities have reported a record number of 100+ degree days. It should come as no surprise then that 78 percent of Texas is under an exceptional drought category. To view the U.S. Drought Monitor site, click here. Much of the current drought is due to La Niña, a cooling of waters in the Pacific Ocean. We're currently experiencing one of the strongest La Niñas in the last century, and predictions are that we'll have below normal rainfall levels until spring 2012. September 10, 2011 is the peak of the tropical cyclone season. If La Niña returns, the winter will probably be a dry one. TCEQ is holding weekly meetings to ensure there is communication between national and state agencies and local municipalities and public water systems. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is involved in these meetings, along with folks from their 16 field offices throughout state. 6,000 public water systems have received letters from the TCEQ, urging them to curtail their usage. Currently,
- 826 public water systems are under some sort of restriction
- 533 public water systems are under mandatory restrictions
- 292 public water systems are under voluntary restrictions
- 36 public water systems are in the strictest category: no outside watering allowed.
- The Drought Hotline: 1-800-447-2827
- TCEQ's website lists news updates, alert letters, notices of curtailed water rights.
This drought has provided a clear impetus to address our state's future water needs. This November, we'll have the opportunity to take action by voting for Proposition 2 in the Constitutional Amendment Election on November 8, 2011. Proposition 2 will help local communities grow and maintain their water supplies with the authorization of $6 billion in bonds by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Proposition 2 will not cost state taxpayers any money, and the bonds used through this measure will save local taxpayers money when building and financing water projects.
SB 341 - The Fix BexarMet Bill
In other water related news, yesterday, the Department of Justice provided preclearance for the election for dissolution of the BexarMet Water District. The ball is now in BexarMet's court because the legislation requires that their board call the election. The authors of the bill, Senator Uresti, Senator Wentworth, Representative Menendez and I, sent a letter urging the board's president to call an election so BexarMet ratepayers will have the opportunity to vote this November, rather than next year. Please take a moment to read this article in the San Antonio Express-News.
Wurzbach Parkway Groundbreaking
Last week, TxDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony for the last segment of Wurzbach Parkway, a project 20 years in the making. Upon completion it will host 40,000 cars per day, relieving traffic from Loop 1604 and Loop 410. This segment of the project will cost $49.4 million. Construction began in July 2011 and will be completed in early 2015. The “book-ends” – Blanco Road (FM 2696) to West Ave. and Jones Maltsberger Road to Wetmore Road are both currently under construction. Construction on the Blanco Road (FM 2696) to West Ave. segment began in January 2011 and is expected to be completed in late 2012/early 2013. Jones Maltsberger Road to Wetmore Road went to construction in November 2010 and is expected to be completed in late 2013/early 2014. The three projects will have 4 to 6 lanes of divided roadway, signalized intersections as well as overpasses at Blanco Road, West Avenue, US 281, Jones Maltsberger and Starcrest Road.
First Interim Meeting of the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee
Last week, several Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee members traveled to Medina County to see firsthand the economic impact of the dove and deer breeding industries in Texas and to look at and discuss various aspects of the wildlife and address regulatory issues. Representatives Tracy King, John Kuempel, Four Price, John Frullo and I attended the meeting, along with several Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) staff. In the morning, we watched the flight patterns of white-winged dove on the opening day of dove season and listened to a presentation by Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader on the migratory bird study they're completing. Next, we traveled to the Nooner Whitetail deer breeding facility and listened to biologist Chase Clark discuss the genetics of whitetails. In Texas, the migratory bird industry represents a $300 million annual economic impact while the deer breeding industry has a $700 million economic impact.
First Interim Meeting of the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee
Last week, several Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee members traveled to Medina County to see firsthand the economic impact of the dove and deer breeding industries in Texas and to look at and discuss various aspects of the wildlife and address regulatory issues. Representatives Tracy King, John Kuempel, Four Price, John Frullo and I attended the meeting, along with several Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) staff. In the morning, we watched the flight patterns of white-winged dove on the opening day of dove season and listened to a presentation by Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader on the migratory bird study they're completing. Next, we traveled to the Nooner Whitetail deer breeding facility and listened to biologist Chase Clark discuss the genetics of whitetails. In Texas, the migratory bird industry represents a $300 million annual economic impact while the deer breeding industry has a $700 million economic impact.
Watching the flight pattern of white-winged dove in Medina County.
Listening to biologist Chase Clark discuss the deer breeding industry.
Please feel free to contact me if I may ever be of assistance to you by phone at (210) 402-5402 or by email at lyle.larson@house.state.tx.us.
Best,
Lyle
Best,
Lyle
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