Groundwater consensus sought

Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R–San Antonio) and Rep. Patrick M. Rose (D–Dripping Springs) say Andrew Sansom, executive director of the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, will facilitate a process among stakeholders of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (District) to build consensus on how to support its mission.

"As legislators representing Western Hays County, we have witnessed stark divisions within the district's constituency about what amount of regulation is needed to protect our quality of life in the Texas Hill Country. But we believe that these divisions are surmountable, and are committed to working with the district and the stakeholder group to build consensus. We want to thank Doug Wierman, David Baker and Andy Sansom for their commitment to this process and their partnership," Wentworth and Rose said in a joint statement.

Wentworth and Rose met with the district's leadership this summer and that outreach resulted in two exciting initiatives.

The district's leadership has pledged to open a dialogue with chambers of commerce, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other civic and business groups across the district.

Sansom will build on this work by guiding a discussion among identified community stakeholders that results in a consensus position on legislative initiatives to support the district's and the community's long-term groundwater needs prior to the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature.

"We are pleased with the commitment from Sen. Wentworth and Rep. Rose to invest their time and leadership to help guide the district to a policy position that is supported by a cross-section of our constituency," Doug Wierman, president of the district's board, said. "Coupled with the District's community outreach, we have a clear path toward putting policies in place that support our long-term plans."

"Few policy issues are as personal as water. The stakes for Western Hays County are high, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with stakeholders across this community to build consensus on how to best support the district's mission, and ultimately, shape legislative proposals," Sansom said.

Wentworth, Rose, the district's leadership and Andrew have agreed that the stakeholders will include a local, Western Hays County member of the following groups: Belterra Community Association, Friends of Blue Hole, Texas Farm Bureau (Western Hays County member), Texas Ground Water Association (Western Hays County member), Woodcreek Property Owners Association, San Marcos Board of Realtors (Wimberley realtor), Austin Board of Realtors (Dripping Springs realtor), Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, Dripping Springs Chamber, Hays County Builders Association, Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) (Dripping Springs or Wimberley Valley developer), Aqua Corporation, Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp., Wimberley Water Supply Corp. and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. Elected representatives in the stakeholder process will include: Judge Elizabeth Sumter, Commissioner Will Conley, Commissioner Karen Ford, Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District directors, City of Dripping Springs, city of Wimberley and the Village of Woodcreek.

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