WSP09518

• File Number: 8112.600
• Description: Arkansas White Red Basins Interagency Committee - AWRBIAC
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 1/1/1987
• Author: AWRBIAC
• Title: Annual Report 1985 - 1986
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

CHAPTER III

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SPECIAL INTEREST PRESENTATIONS

A water-related program theme was agreed upon for presentations made at each of
the main committee meetings. These presentations facilitate exchange of infor-
mation and perspectives pertaining to program themes.

STATE YATER PLANNING

The program at the October 1985 meeting of AWRBIAC focused on the theme, "State
Water Planning in the Arkansas-White-Red Basins." The speakers and summaries of
their presentations are shown below. The full text of their remarks can be
found in the published "Minutes of the 11&th Meeting, Wichita, Kansas,
October 3-4, 1985.

Texas Water Planning

Mr. Gordon Thorn, Texas Water Development Board, spoke on Texas Water Planning.
The need to plan for water development, water conservation, and water quality
management in Texas was to address the fundamental questions of how much water
is available; is there enough for the people, the economy, and the environment;
will there be enough for future generations; will it be safe to drink and to use
in other ways. State policy explicitly provides for the conservation and
development of natural resources. The Texas Water Development Board is the
State agency given primary responsibility for implementing the provisions of the
Texas Constitution and laws relating to the conservation and development of
water.

Water planning in Texas began as a result of an extreme drought in the 1950's.
By 1954-195&, it became the most severe drought in Texas history. The drought
was broken in 1957 by heavy rains and devastating floods. An inventory of the
State's water resources was prepared and recommendations made for a State
planning program. The official State Water Plan was adopted on September 20,
1984. The plan presents projections of future water needs and future sources of
supply to meet the needs.

Oklahoma State Water Plan

Ms. Terri Sparks, Water Resource Planner with the Oklahoma Water Resources
Board, discussed the Oklahoma State Water Plan. Ms. Sparks outlined the water
problems facing the State and the need for a plan for development, management,
and conservation of the water resources. The Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan
was adopted in 1981.

In formulating the plan, the state was divided into eight planning regions of
similar geographic, economic, and demographic natures. Future water require-
ments for each region were projected through the year 2040 for agricultural,
municipal, and industrial purposes. Future water requirements were then

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