By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Texas’ regional water planning process leaves farmers and ranchers with few options to address current and future water shortages.

That was the message Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) District 13 State Director Brian Jones shared with the House Committee on Natural Resources during the Aug. 24 hearing on regional water planning.

Jones, who farms in Hidalgo County, noted the planning process largely focuses on municipal and industrial water needs. Agricultural projects often struggle to qualify for inclusion in the state water plan because farmers and ranchers lack the resources and dedicated revenue streams available to other water users.

Instead of developing new water supplies or infrastructure for agriculture, regional plans typically rely on conservation to stretch declining supplies.

“The major strategy in almost every region to address agricultural water use is conservation—not new infrastructure projects or sources of supply,” Jones said.

The Rio Grande Valley illustrates the challenges.

Agriculture depends heavily on water deliveries from Mexico and improvements to irrigation district infrastructure to make the most of available supplies. Water from the international reservoirs is first reserved for domestic, municipal and industrial needs and other existing obligations before new allocations are made for agriculture.

“This illustration shows that ag water is truly the ‘leftovers,’” Jones told the committee.

No new infrastructure or other strategies are currently planned to provide additional irrigation water for the region. Jones noted the continued shortage contributes to lost agricultural acreage and production.

Similar challenges affect rice farmers along the lower Colorado River. Reduced access to water from the Highland Lakes has left growers without an affordable way to replace those supplies.

Addressing agricultural water needs will require the state to look beyond the economic value traditionally assigned to different water uses, according to TFB. Water projects that support food and fiber production should receive greater consideration in the planning process.

Agriculture also needs access to water at prices farmers and ranchers can afford. Without that, regional planning groups have little ability to recommend projects that address agricultural water shortages.

“Otherwise, there won’t be projects or strategies recommended by Regional Water Planning Groups to address the current or future shortage of agricultural water,” Jones said.

The House Committee on Natural Resources is studying regional water planning as part of its interim work ahead of the next legislative session, including how the state can better prepare for future water needs.