Conservation Conversation -- June 4 2021 Newsletter

DEATH — Dallas M. Brewer of Denver City passed away May 27, 2021. He was 87. Brewer was elected Yoakum County Judge in 1986 and served in this position until his retirement in 2006. He was appointed in Jan. 1998 to represent County Government on the Llano Estacado Regional Water Planning Group (“Region O”). Survivors include two daughters; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister. HPWD sends its sincere condolences to the Brewer family.

USDA-NRCS NOW HIRING IN TEXAS — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently hiring several different field positions across Texas. Positions include soil conservationists, rangeland management specialists, soil scientists, and engineers. The USDA NRCS works in close partnership with farmers, ranchers, forest managers, non-governmental organizations, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to create and maintain healthy and productive working landscapes. “We need people who are committed to action through public service and will ensure that all of us enjoy the benefits that come from a healthy environment and productive agriculture,” said Kristy Oates, NRCS state conservationist for Texas. “If you have a background in agriculture or a love of the land, consider joining us and make a difference for generations to come.” Direct hire positions open in Texas can be found on USAJobs. Applications will be accepted until July 15, 2021. For more information, contact Tony Townsend at 254-742-9935 or tony.townsend@usda.gov.

TWDB Accepting Public Comment on Draft 2022 State Water Plan

AUSTIN – (April 8, 2021) – The public comment period for the Draft 2022 State Water Plan is now open. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will receive public comments on the Draft 2022 State Water Plan until 5:00 p.m. on May 26, 2021.

“To secure its future water supply, Texas utilizes a unique strategy integrating science, planning, and financing—and the state water plan is the cornerstone of that strategy,” said TWDB Chairman Peter Lake. “We could not gain such a comprehensive understanding of the state’s water supply needs and available solutions without the hard work and dedication of the hundreds of regional water planning group members, TWDB staff, and others who contribute their time and expertise to the process. We are proud to announce the publication of the Draft 2022 State Water Plan and look forward to receiving comments from the public.”

The TWDB will publish notice in the Texas Register on April 23, 2021, of the Board’s intent to adopt the 2022 State Water Plan later this summer.

The Board will receive public comment on the Draft 2022 State Water Plan at a hearing to be held on May 24, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in Austin at the Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Room 170, and via GoToWebinar. The draft plan and additional information about the hearing are posted on the TWDB website.

“With a projected 73 percent population increase over the next 50 years, it is more important than ever that Texas is prepared to meet the state’s growing water demands,” said TWDB Board Member Kathleen Jackson. “With a total capital cost of $80 billion, the Draft 2022 State Water Plan identifies approximately 5,800 strategies that Texas communities can use to meet their water needs over the next 50 years.”

If these strategies are not implemented, Texas could face a 6.9-million-acre-foot water shortage and economic losses of approximately $153 billion in 2070 in the event of a drought of record.

“Conservation remains the most frequently recommended strategy by regional water planning groups and makes up almost 30 percent of strategy supply volumes in 2070,” said TWDB Board Member Brooke Paup. “New to the state water plan is a chapter exclusively dedicated to this important strategy. This addition incorporates agency initiatives and new legislative requirements in the planning process regarding setting conservation goals.”

Stakeholders may also submit written comments to Melinda Smith, Water Supply Planning Division, TWDB, P.O. Box 13231, Austin, Texas 78711-3231 or via email to public-comment@twdb.texas.gov.

For questions regarding the Draft 2022 State Water Plan, please contact Temple McKinnon at Temple.McKinnon@twdb.texas.gov.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

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Virtual Ogallala Aquifer Summit Draws 200 + Participants

“What is groundwater’s value?” “If we conserve it, what is gained?” “How can cross-state cooperation help sustain rural communities in the eight-state Ogallala Aquifer region?”

These were among the many topics discussed during the Feb. 24-25 virtual Ogallala Aquifer Summit.

More than 200 people from the eight-state Ogallala Aquifer region participated in the conference via Zoom.

They included agricultural producers, commodity group representatives, federal and state agency staff, groundwater district managers and staff, and students.

With the theme, “Tackling Tough Questions,” the meeting built upon information and programs shared at the 2018 Summit in Garden City, KS.

The 2020 Summit in Amarillo was moved to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some takeaway points from the keynote speakers, panels, and breakout sessions included:

• Many people have the mindset that the “Ogallala Aquifer will run out of water—what will we do?” Instead, they should be thinking that the “Ogallala Aquifer will change--how do we embrace this? It is not a problem to be solved but rather a situation to be managed.”

• Everyone must do their part to reduce the load on the Ogallala Aquifer. “It will take producers talking to producers. They need to share how they have reduced their groundwater use. Cutting back on water use can be done. It’s not easy—but it can be accomplished. Producers and others need to share these success stories.”

• Multi-state networking among water leaders remains important. It is important to share information about conservation programs with others. As an example, the Master Irrigator Program, originated by North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in Texas, is now being implemented in other states in the Ogallala region.

•  Mentoring programs are essential to foster the next generation of water leaders.Technology can be overwhelming to some. It is important to showcase simple water conservation methods that can be implemented without spending a great amount of money.

• Many producers said the subject of water conservation is now readily accepted at a local level. “There was a time five years ago when you would not be warmly greeted at the coffee shop if you mentioned or promoted water conservation. Things have changed since then.”

• One presenter encouraged people to “have the uncomfortable conversations about water conservation. Talk candidly and freely. Dare to push the envelope without being disrespectful to others and without achieving consensus too rapidly.”

• Future water conservation measures need to be proactive—rather than reactive. “Get ahead of this.”

• “Many small decisions can lead to greater water savings.”

• One panelist spoke to a producer about water conservation. During the conversation, the producer said his grandfather and father did not use certain water conservation practices. The younger producer made a change which saved both money and water. He admitted that conservation practices can be scary—but wished he had adopted them much sooner.

•  It is important to identify a common vision, practices and opportunities, for short and long-term benefits. “Do we have a consensus or a vision for the future? If we don’t know where we are going—how do we know when we get there? What is the big picture and how will your farm fit into it?”

• Data is important. Don’t be afraid to collaborate. However, many are concerned that data will be used against them. “Many have said we don’t want bad data to be used against us for regulations or restrictions. Yet, they don’t want to learn that they could have irrigated an additional five years if there had been better data to support that decision. You must have a benchmark for comparison. Remember, if you are the only one in the race, then you will be the winner when you cross the finish line. You must have something for comparison purposes.”

• One presenter said future Federal regulations may force banks and other lenders to take a closer look at water management on farms. “Producer A does a good job conserving water on his farm. Producer B may have little or no conservation practices in place. Because of this, lending institutions may consider Producer B to be a greater risk. It’s not just a handshake deal anymore. Use of technology and supporting data will play a larger role in lending decisions.”

• There is interest in revisiting the 1982 “Six State High Plains Aquifer Study.” A comprehensive reassessment may provide new insight into the four proposed water transfer routes, feasibility of using the water for municipal and industrial purposes, aquifer storage and recovery, flood mitigation, irrigation, and an updated evaluation of water supply infrastructure.

HPWD Education and Outreach Coordinator Katherine Drury was a panelist discussing “Effective Communications and Training the Next Generation of Water Leaders.”

Funding and support for the 2021 virtual summit was provided by the Ogallala Aquifer Program; Kansas Water Office; Texas A&M AgriLife; OgallalaWater.org; USDA-NRCS; USDA-ARS National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Kansas Geological Survey; Colorado Water Center; Nebraska Water Center; Oklahoma Water Resources Center; Komet Innovative Irrigation; High Plains Water District; Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE); Panhandle Groundwater District; Texas Tech College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; North Platte Natural Resources District; North Plains Groundwater Conservation District; New Mexico Water Resources Institute; Texas Water Resources Institute; Water Grows; Irrigation Innovation Consortium; Zimmatic by Lindsay; and SitePro.

Additional articles with information from the 2021 Ogallala Aquifer Summit will be featured in future issues of The Cross Section.

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Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit Set For Feb. 24 & 25

What are the major challenges in conserving groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer region? What strategies are needed to help preserve this natural resource? What can be done to help sustain rural communities that depend upon irrigated agriculture for their local economy?

These and many other questions will be addressed during the Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit to be held Feb. 24 & 25 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD) in Lubbock invites all interested persons to participate in this two-day virtual event.

Persons are encouraged to register by Feb. 23. There is a $40 general admission fee and a $20 fee for ag producers and students. Speakers, panelists, and media representatives can register free of charge. Zoom meeting details will be shared with attendees after sign-up.

“The 2021 Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit gives producers and water management leaders an opportunity to connect and hear from one another on many important dimensions of the water-dependent future of this region,” said Dr. Brent Auvermann, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo. He is a co-chair of the event.

The Ogallala Aquifer underlies portions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

While many agricultural producers/organizations will likely participate, organizers see this as an excellent opportunity for bankers, city managers, teachers, utility directors, and other interested persons to learn about the Ogallala Aquifer and discover ways to conserve it for future use.

“Water conservation technologies are helpful--and we need more of them. However, human decision-making is the real key to conserving the Ogallala,” said Auvermann.

That decision-making process can be enhanced by making sound, science-based water data available to the public. HPWD Education and Outreach Coordinator Katherine Drury is one of the panelists for the Feb. 25 session, ““Effective Communications and Training the Next Generation of Water Leaders.”

“Members of this panel will provide a brief overview of the ways that people get their water information. They will then discuss methods to improve learning opportunities for maximum impact,” said Drury.

In addition to panels and facilitated workshops, the meeting will also feature updates on projects, new programs, activities, and policies resulting from the 2018 Ogallala Aquifer Summit in Garden City, KS.

The Virtual Summit is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project team, Texas A&M AgriLife, Kansas Water Office, the USDA-ARS Ogallala Aquifer Program, and other agencies in the Ogallala Aquifer region. HPWD is among the supporters of the 2021 Virtual Summit.

The conference agenda and other information is available at ogallalawater.org.

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