Title
Consider and take action to approve a resolution to support the creation of the Lower Brazos River Coalition (Deputy City Manager)
Background:
Approval of this item supports the Lower Brazos River Coalition’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of the Brazos River and its reservoir system, which stretches for more than 840 miles across the State of Texas and encompasses a watershed of more than 44,000 square miles. The Coalition was formed to ensure downstream river flow of the senior water rights intended to secure vital municipal, agricultural, and industrial interests in Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
The Brazos River watershed has experienced severe drought conditions for the past six consecutive years which has reduced reservoir capacity and flows to the river by record low levels. The State of Texas recognized the need to enforce the State’s century old doctrine of senior water rights, through the recent establishment of a Watermaster program for the Brazos River, under the Authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Lower Brazos River customers welcomed the Watermaster program, as it protects some of the most senior water right holders in Brazoria and Galveston Counties. League City currently owns 2.544 MGD of contractual reserve capacity in Gulf Coast Water Authority’s, Thomas Mackey Water Treatment Plant, which receives it source water from the Brazos River.
Numerous politically influenced organizations, based in the upper and middle Brazos River basin, are opposed to the Brazos River Watermaster and are actively seeking to limit, reduce, or otherwise restrict flows in the river. If successful, their actions will result in economic hardships and have negative impacts on the natural environment for all water users in the Lower Brazos River Basin.
The Lower Brazos River Coalition proposes fair allocation of river water by utilizing the following concepts:
• Balanced management of river water and flood control, based on sound science, engineering, and law
• Additional water conservation
• Enforceable drought management
• Enhanced water supplies throughout the Brazos River Basin
Attachments:
1) Data Sheet
2) Proposed Resolution
3) Informative Brochure
CONTRACT ORIGINATION: Public Works Directorate
FUNDING
{X } NOT APPLICABLE
{ } Funds are available from Account #__________________
{ } Requires Budget Amendment to transfer from Account #________to Account # ________