ORDER N0.28703 TEXAS BRUSH CONTROL PROGRAM Came to be heard this the 12~' day of July 2004 with a motion made by Commissioner Letz, Seconded by Commissioner Baldwin, the Court unanimously approved by a vote of 4-0-0 to request of representatives and others involved in the state government, as well as local water agencies, to have Guadalupe River Basin included in the Texas Brush Control Program and be authorized funding under the appropriations for that program, and for the County Judge to write a letter of support to that effect. COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT. MADE BY: Pat Tinley OFFICE: County Judge..-~ MEETING DATE: July 12, 2004 TIME PREFERRED: SUBJECT: (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC) Consider and discuss supporting the inclusion of the Guadalupe River Basin in the Texas Brush Control Program. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: County Judge/Fred Bartel ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday. THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON: All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. Gentlemen: We have been reviewing the progress of the Texas Brush Control Program. As you recall, this program was initiated with Senate Bill I wherein the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board received $15 million for brush control projects in seven river basins. State Representative Rob Junell (D-San Angelo) headed this effort in 2001. This is an ongoing program. For example, as of Mazch 17, 2004, approximately 18,000 acres in the Pedernales River Basin had been cleazed of juniper and mesquite in Gillespie County. 7,000 more acres will be cleared by August 2004. The State assumes approximately 75% of the cost of clearing the brush. It is estimated 84% of precipitation is lost where land is heavily infested with brush. The Pedernales River Basin alone will produce an increase of 89,000 acre feet of water upon completion, according to estimates. You will note in the attached Executive Summary that the Guadalupe River Basin has not been included in any of the studies nor has any fundmg been allocated for that river basin. We strongly agree that the Pedernales is a very important water source for the Austin metropolitan area. Their population is expected to double by 2050. Currently developed water sources will not be adequate to meet the projected needs of this region. We must say, however, that the same conditions exist in the Guadalupe Basin. Avery rapid growth over the Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Area is shifting increasing demands to Canyon Reservoir on the Guadalupe. Certainly, the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority and Upper Guadalupe River Authority have a vested interest in water availability. Page 2 A Brush Control Program on the Guadalupe, especially for Kendall, Kerr, and Corral Counties certainly deserves priority consideration for funding. We share this concern, and urge you to consider this an action item in the next budget cycle. Sincerely. Eddie John o Kendall Count udge Pat Tinley, Ken County Judge Danny Scheel, Corral County Judge EXECUTIVE SifNIMARY As of 2001, seven river basins received $16 million in the previous two legislative sessions for feasibility studies and cost sharing. This has funded 96 contracts representing 185,000 acres. Over $1.6 million contract funds have been allocated for Gillespie County alone. In addition to the Pedernales, the following six river basins are covered: Wichita Upper Coloradp Frio/Nueces Middle Concho Canadian REFERENCE MATERIAL GLes ie o~ y Soil & Water Conservation District Newsletter Ap 2004 Ap 2001 Federal Land Bank Association Newsletter Summer 2001 ;~'exas Agriculture 6 July 2001 - by Texas Farm Bureau News U}~date 16 July 2001 by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Compiled by Fred Bartel (830) 537-4452 (Fax Number same) ADDRESSEES Senator Jeff Wentworth 1250 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 720 San Antonio, Texas 78209 Congressman Harvey Hildebrand P.O. Box 302 Kerrville, Texas 78028 Congresswoman Carter Casteel P.O. Box 312404 New Braunfels, Texas 78131 TOTAL DISTRIBUTION Susan Combs Texas Agriculture Commissioner P.O. Box 160956 Austin, Texas 78716 Rex Isom Executive Director of State Soil & Water Conservation Board Box 658 Temple, Texas 76503 Bill West, General Manager GBRA 933 EastS Court Street Seguin, Texas 78155 Tommy Mathews, Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District c/o Westward Environmental 102 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006 Gordon Morgan, General Manager UGRA 125 Lehmann Drive, Suite 100 Kerrville, Texas 78028 Headwaters Underground Water Conservation District 1418 Sidney Baker Street Kerrville, Texas 78028 Texas Farm Bureau ~~ , ~ rN c n ille~ierschke Box 2689 Waco, Texas 76702-2689 Jay Kingston County Agent, Kendall County 201 East San Antonio Street Boerne, Texas 78006 DANNY SCHEEL COUNTY JUDGE July 2, 2004 The Honorable Jeff Wentworth 1250 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 720 San Antonio, Texas 78209 Re: Texas Brush Control Program Dear Senator Wentworth: As you may recall, Senate Bill 1 initiated the Texas Brush Control Program ("Program") wherein the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board received $15 million for brush control projects in various river basins. The Program currently covers the following river basins: the Pedernales, the Wichita, the Frio/Nueces, the Canadian, the Upper Colorado, and the Middle Concho. As of March 17, 2004, in the Pedernales River Basin alone, approximately 18,000 acres had been cleared of juniper and mesquite. Studies and reports indicate that land heavily infested with brush consume an extraordinarily high percentage of precipitation. It is estimated that the Pedernales River Basin will produce an increase of 89,000 acre-feet of water upon completion of the Program in that region. Currently, the Program does not cover the Guadalupe River Basin, which encompasses Kendall, Kerr and Corral counties. Each of these counties are experiencing unprecedented growth. This growth is placing extreme demands on all water resources in the Guadalupe River Basin, which include the various aquifers and Canyon Reservoir. Implementing the Program in the Guadalupe River Basin would help insure proper management for water availability in this region. 199 Main Plaza • New Braunfels, Texas 78130-5163 ~ (830) 620-5501 Corral County July 2, 2004 Texas Brush Control Program Page 2 Please consider adding the Guadalupe River Basin to the Program so Kendall, Kerr, and Comal counties can participate in the grant funding established by the Program. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me. V truly yours, Danny Scheel Comal County Judge DANNY SCHEEL COUNTY JUDGE July 2, 2004 The Honorable Harvey Hildebrand 125 Lehmann Drive Kerrville, Texas 78028 Re: Texas Brush Control Program Dear Representative Hildebrand: As you may recall, Senate Bill 1 initiated the Texas Brush Control Program ("Program") wherein the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board received $15 million for brush control projects in various river basins. The Program currently covers the following river basins: the Pedernales, the Wichita, the Frio/Nueces, the Canadian, the Upper Colorado, and the Middle Concho. As of March 17, 2004, in the Pedernales River Basin alone, approximately 18,000 acres had been cleared of juniper and mesquite. Studies and reports indicate that land heavily infested with brush consume an extraordinarily high percentage of precipitation. It is estimated that the Pedernales River Basin will produce an increase of 89,000 acre-feet of water upon completion of the Program in that region. Currently, the Program does not cover the Guadalupe River Basin, which encompasses Kendall, Kerr and Comal counties. Each of these counties are experiencing unprecedented growth. This growth is placing extreme demands on all water resources in the Guadalupe River Basin, which include the various aquifers and Canyon Reservoir. Implementing the Program in the Guadalupe River Basin would help insure proper management for water availability in this region. 199 Main Plaza ~ New Braunfels, Texas 78130-5163 • (830) 620-5501 Comal County July 2, 2004 Texas Brush Control Program Page 2 Please consider adding the Guadalupe River Basin to the Program so Kendall, Kerr, and Comal counties can participate in the grant funding established by the Program. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, Danny Scheel Comal County Judge ~~ DANNY SCHEEL COUNTY JUDGE July 2, 2004 The Honorable Carter Casteel 254 East Mill New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Re: Texas Brush Control Program Dear Representative Casteel: As you may recall, Senate Bill 1 initiated the Texas Brush Control Program ("Program") wherein the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board received $15 million for brush control projects in various river basins. The Program currently covers the following river basins: the Pedernales, the Wichita, the Frio/Nueces, the Canadian, the Upper Colorado, and the Middle Concho. As of March 17, 2004, in the Pedernales River Basin alone, approximately 18,000 acres had been cleared of juniper and mesquite. Studies and reports indicate that land heavily infested with brush consume an extraordinarily high percentage of precipitation. It is estimated that the Pedernales River Basin will produce an increase of 89,000 acre-feet of water upon completion of the Program in that region. Currently, the Program does not cover the Guadalupe River Basin, which encompasses Kendall, Kerr and Comal counties. Each of these counties are experiencing unprecedented growth. This growth is placing extreme demands on all water resources in the Guadalupe River Basin, which include the various aquifers and Canyon Reservoir. Implementing the Program in the Guadalupe River Basin would help insure proper management for water availability in this region. 199 Main Plaza • New Braunfels, Texas 78130-5163 • (830) 620-5501 Comal County July 2, 2004 Texas Brush Control Program Page 2 Please consider adding the Guadalupe River Basin to the Program so Kendall, Kerr, and Comal counties can participate in the grant funding established by the Program. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, l Danny Scheel Comal County Judge ~~~~ E GF ~ c~U^N o1 ~0N ~OUNTY JUDGE PAT TINLEV OMMISSIONE RS COURT H.A. "BUSTER" BALDW W, PCT. 1 wILL1AM "BILL" WILLIAMS, PCT. 2 .IONATHAN LETZ, PCT. 3 DAVE 1VICHOLSON, PCT. ~ July 19, 2004 The Honorable Troy Fraser State Senator, District 24 P.O. Box 12068 Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711 The Honorable Harvey Hilderbran State Representative, District 53 Room CAP 4S. 03 P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78768 THE COUNTY COURT of KERRCOUNTY,TEXAS 7OO MAIN KF:RRVILLF:, TL'XAS 7SO2H TI:L: (830)792-2211 Fnx:(830)792-2218 E-mna: kerrcocc a ktacom Re: Texas Brush Control Program Gentlemen: It was brought to the attention of the Ken County Commissioners' Court at a recent meeting that the Guadalupe River Basin was not included within the Texas Brush Control Program. As a result, the Guadalupe River Basin has not been included within the feasibility studies under the program and is not eligible for funding for brush control projects authorized by S.B. 1. As both of you aze aware, Kerr County has experienced significant growth in the past several years. One of the continuing concerns attendant to such growth is the availability of an adequate water supply to serve an expanded population. As you know, we have a number of areas in the county covered with juniper (cedaz) and other growth which consumes or prevents a large portion of our limited rainfall from providing moisture for pastures and crops and rechazge for our underground and surface water resources. As a result, it is important that we take any appropriate steps to eliminate much of the juniper and brush which is prevalent in our county. Because of the recent review of the Texas Brush Control Program by the Kerr County Commissioners' Court, and at its direction, you are hereby requested to take any and all necessary and appropriate steps to cause the Guadalupe River Basin to be included within the Texas Brush Control Program and cause Kerr County to be eligible for funding and appropriations which may be made for brush control projects within that program. Respectfully yours, - Pat Tinl dge cc: The Honorable Susan Combs, Conunissioner of Agriculture The Upper Guadalupe River Authority Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District CLERK .IANNETT PIEPEA COURT COORDINATOR KATHY IFIITCHEL