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TEXAS \/VATER BANK MEETING Lubbock: August 11, 1993 . High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 Wanager I.JI.B.jne WIatt convened the third information-gatherihg meeting on the Texas Water Bank in Lubbock, Texas on August 11, 1993. He noted the attendance of two area legislators, Chairman David Counts of the House Natural Resources Committee and Representative Delwin Jones of the House State Affairs Committee. He then welcomed the Board staff and thanked the Board for the opportunity to provide input to the reN program's rules. He then turned the program CNer to Board Executive Administrator Craig D. Pedersen, who surmaized vIrr-f the staff was there and what it hoped to get out of the meeting. Chairman Counts was then asked for his cooments on the program. Chairman Counts indicated that he had great expectations for the program. He pointed out that the need for the program is obvious, that the State has excess water in some areas of the State and needs and/or shortages in others. Through better rrsnagement of the resource, the State will come out ahead. He indicated that if the program eliminated the need for just one reservoir site, it will have accomplished a great deal. He indicated that if a rrultiple listing service, like for real estate properties, existed for water, that peOple might be encouraged to market excess water. He desaibed the bank as a conduit for negotiations bet\veen willing buyers and sellers. He then indicated that the 73rd Legislative Session was one i:A the roughest on merT1Ol)', with issues like school finance and the Edwards taking up ITIJCh cA the legislator's efforts. He said that when it came to natural resource issues, particular1y water, that there were always a core of individuals present, and that I./'IIIine was one of the fa emost. Having said that, he presented a Texas flag to ~ on behalf of his efforts, the one that flew CNf!I the Capitc/ the day the Edwards legislation was signed by Governor Richards. He then surrrnarized the difficult nature of the Edwards negotiations and the long hours that it took to produce legislation that was as fair as it could be, given the existing drcumstanc:es. Representative Jones was then asked for his remarta;. Rep. Jones indicated that he originally got in to politics CNer water issues, and reitelated the difficulty d the past session. He CClIT1)Iimented Chairman Counts on his 'Mlri< during the session, and thanked him for his long hours of service to the State. lV\OB Executive Adrrini..... Pedersen then asked Tcmny I<ncM.ies to surm1arize the bill, discuss what issues the staff was intelested in, and to outline the schedule cI upcorring events. Dr. Knowles did so, and indicated that the rules would rd be 'Mitten until the end of Septerrbel, with an O~ meeting in Austin to go CNer the rules. He briefly asked for input on hoN to handle ground water issues and what was thought of the fees and fee ex~ons, as noted in the bill. He then tI.med the meeting CNer for audience partidpation. O. H. lvie COI,", ...'lted that there are many problems associated with the dewlClpI,1er1t of water. He indicated a COI,b....t that was rd ITlJtuaIIy belleficial to bah parties was of little value. He indicated that environmental issues can be solved, but that the financial issue of dll\.odability is . aJways present He indicated that it takes significant amounts cI money to dewlap water in West . Texas. Transportation is a key cost, and the organizations responsible for dewloping the water supply should be reinilursed for their expenditures, and that there shouk:I be no hidden costs. Mar all, what is the price of a glass of water in hell? Stated his COIICem that the bank may end 4