The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation organization that uses a science-based approach to protect Texas’ vast array of natural resources. In order to accomplish our mission, the Conservancy has a vested interest in ensuring the state legislature produces sound conservation policies. Below is a list of legislative initiatives, divided by subject matter, for which the Conservancy will be actively advocating during the coming legislative session, including some measures we are helping to initiate.

State Water Plan Funding

• As we recover from one of the worst droughts in Texas history, the time to act is now—the state should create a dedicated funding mechanism to implement its $53 billion water plan. Doing nothing could cost the state over $116 billion by 2060.

Water Funding Principles/Filters

• As part of the effort to create funding for the State Water Plan, the Conservancy will work to ensure state money is focused on the right priorities, such as projects that promote water conservation and a minimal environmental footprint.

Review of Current Water Funding Programs

• For years, the state has operated a set of loan programs to address water infrastructure issues. And yet, not all of these existing programs help advance or implement the state-approved water plan. The Conservancy supports a review of the current funding programs to ensure they target our state's most pressing problems and help identify the projects of highest value included in the State Water Plan.

Agricultural Water Conservation

• Agricultural water use accounts for nearly 60% of the demand in Texas, while water losses in the agricultural sector are estimated to be as high as 30%—that is unsustainable. The state must focus its conservation efforts on reducing losses and conserving water in this vitally important area. The Conservancy will support funding for and expansion of agricultural water conservation programs.

Statewide Energy Plan

• The Conservancy supports the creation of a statewide energy plan. Our state must develop a plan for future development that evaluates various energy sources objectively, based on their cost, reliability, and impact on our air, land and water resources. And because of the nexus between water and energy, this plan should be integrated into our state water planning efforts. Energy development shouldn’t chase water, nor should water chase energy development. The two processes should work together.

Gulf of Mexico

• We should ensure that any money sent to Texas as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and is subject to the appropriations process is directed back to the Gulf of Mexico for restoration and recovery.

Land Conservation/Protection

• We will continue to promote incentives for landowners to be good stewards of their property and engage in land stewardship practices that protect and enhance water quality and quantity.

State Budget

• Given the recent across-the-board cuts many state agencies experienced, the Conservancy will defend the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s budget for parkland and open space protection.

River Authorities/Groundwater Conservation Districts/Investor-owned utilities (IOUs)/Municipal utility districts (MUDs)

• We plan to monitor legislation dealing with these entities—with a particular emphasis on Senator Nichols’ interim charge on water rate jurisdiction—and the legislation it produces.