WSP06585 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

':-.--, , , .- Navigation districts may be formed for the purpose of aiding WnBvigation by the construction and DI!lintenance of canals and waterways. ~Art. 8198, V. C. S. -1 Certa in compacts have been entered into by the State of 'rexas and other states to provide for an equitable division and apportionment of the weters bordering on the State or flowing into or out of the State. The Rio Grande Compact (Art. 7466e-l, V. C. s.l was entered into by Col~rado, New Mexico, and Texas on March 18, 1938. This compact deals wJth the use of the watere of the Rio Grande above Fort QuitDl!ln, Tsxas. The Pecos River Compact (Art. 7466f, V. c. s.l was entered into by New Mex~cc end Texas on December 3, 1948. This compact covers all of the contributing drainage area of the Pecos Rivsr, which rises in north-central New Mexico and flows in a southerly direction through New Mexico and Texas and Joins the Rio Grande near the town of Lengtry, Texas, and all of the tributaries of this river. In 1949 the Leg1elature authorized the Governor of Texas to appoint an Interstate Compact COlllllissioner to represent the State of Texas in conferences for the negotiation of an agreement with each of the affscted states "respecting the use, control and disposition of the vaters of the Canadian, Red and Sabine Rivers and their tributariss." Art. 74768, V. C. S. Pollution of Waters The Legislature has enacted vario'ls statutes, both civil and penal, condemning the pollution of streame and water courses in this atate. Article 4444, V. C. S., prohibits the pollution of water courses or other public bodies of water from which wter is taken for the uses of farm and livestock, drinking, and domestic purposes. This article vests Jurisdic- tion of pollution DI!ltters in the State Hsalth Department, except matters relating to aquatic life, which are vested in the State Game, Fish and Oyster Commission. Article 698b, V. P. C., defines pollution to be the throwing, dischsrging, or otherwiss permitting to reach or to be introduced into any public body of surface water of this Stata any substance, material, or thing in such quantity that the said watar is thereby rendered unfit for one or more of the beneficial uses for which such watar ws fit or sui table prior to the introduction of such substance, material, or thing. It pro- vider for a fine upon conviction of a sum of not lese than $100.00 nor more than ~200.00, and each day of such violation constitutes a separate offsnse. Article 5351, V. C. S., prohibits the pollution of water by any "development in watar or on islands, or river beds and channels," giving the'Gsneral Lend CODllllissioner the power to forfeit or cancel the lsass for failure to comply with rules or regulations adopted. Article 5366, V. c. S., e requires that all developmsnt in the Gulf coast lands belonging to ths State shall be conducted so as to prevent pollution, charging the Game, Fish . A-14