Evaluating Basins for Possible Watermaster Programs

Under this legislation, we must:

• Evaluate each river basin or coastal basin that does not have a watermaster
• Assess whether or not there is a need to appoint a watermaster in that basin
• Report our findings to the Legislature
• At least once every five years, repeat this assessment in each basin

Which basins are being evaluated now?

In 2013 we are evaluating the following 4 basins and on March 1, 2013 we mailed letters and a watermaster evaluation Fact Sheet to stakeholders in each basin:

• Trinity River Basin
• Trinity-San Jacinto Coastal Basin
• San Jacinto River Basin
• San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin

 We have scheduled 5 stakeholder meetings to discuss the evaluation and the watermaster program, and we welcome additional comments at these meetings.

When are the meetings?

What criteria will be considered?

Can I offer input?

What is the schedule for these evaluations?

How can I stay informed?

When will other basins be considered?

In 2012, we evaluated 4 basins. The Executive Director's findings and recommendations for these basins were presented at the Commissioners’ Agenda on October 31, 2012. Backup materials were provided for the Commission Agenda:

• Brazos River Basin
• Brazos-Colorado Coastal Basin
• Colorado River Basin
• Colorado-Lavaca Coastal Basin

We plan to follow this schedule to evaluate the remaining basins that do not have a watermaster:

• 2013:
  • Trinity River Basin
  • Trinity-San Jacinto Coastal Basin
  • San Jacinto River Basin
  • San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin
• 2014:
  • Sabine River Basin
  • Neches River Basin
  • Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin
• 2015:
  • Canadian River Basin
  • Red River Basin
• 2016:
  • Sulfur River Basin
  • Cypress Creek Basin

What criteria will be considered?

As we evaluate each basin, we will consider these questions:

• Has there been a court order to create a watermaster?
• Have we received a petition requesting a watermaster?
• Have senior water rights been threatened in that basin, based on any factors such as:
• senior calls made,
• water shortages, or
• water-right complaints received?

Will I have a chance to offer input?

Yes. We have scheduled 5 stakeholder meetings and will also accept comments after the meetings until June 14.

We recently mailed letters to stakeholders asking for input on the need for a watermaster in the Trinity, Trinity-San Jacinto, San Jacinto, and San Jacinto-Brazos basins. During the stakeholder meetings we will discuss the input that we have received so far.

We encourage anyone interested in the evaluation of these basins to attend one of the meetings.

Stakeholder Meetings

How can I participate?

Attend a stakeholder meeting to learn additional information about the evaluation process. If you have comments or questions, please offer your input in writing by June 14, 2013. We will use this information to help prepare our recommendations for these basins.

When you respond, please tell us which basin you are interested in, and who you represent. For example,

• Are you a water right holder?
• Do you live along a river and use the water for domestic or livestock purposes?
• Are you an individual who is interested in the managment of water rights?

By letter: If you want to comment by letter, address it to:

Amy Settemeyer, Manager
Watermaster Section (MC-160)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
PO Box 13087
Austin TX 78711-3087

By e-mail: Send your e-mail to watermaster@tceq.texas.gov.

You may put your comment in the body of the e-mail or include it as an attachment.

How will you use my input?

We have incorporated the input received through April in our preliminary evaluations and will hold stakeholder meetings to provide additional information on the evaluations. We will accept input after the meetings through June 14 and will use that information to prepare our findings.

After the meetings we will report our findings to the commissioners, who will decide any actions we will take. We will report the results of our findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

If you provide comments on basins that will be evaluated in future years, we will collect your comments and include them as we begin our initial evaluations.

What is the timeline for these evaluations?

We plan to follow this general schedule for the remainder of the evaluation of the Trinity, Trinity-San Jacinto, San Jacinto, and San Jacinto-Brazos basins:

• May and June - Hold stakeholder meetings and receive stakeholder input.
• July - Complete basin evaluations.
• August - present findings and recommendations to TCEQ Commissioners.
• January - Submit the annual update to the biennial report to the Legislature.

How can I stay informed?

Sign up for e-mail updates through GovDelivery. It's easy and fast!

More questions? Contact us!

If you have any questions on this process, please e-mail or call our watermaster program liaisons:

• Michael Redda at 512-239-4631
• Cindy Hooper at 210-403-4080

By Letter

Amy Settemeyer, Manager
Watermaster Section (MC-160)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
PO Box 13087
Austin TX 78711-3087

By E-mail

watermaster@tceq.texas.gov