Texas House Committee on Natural Resources to Hold Public Hearing on Campus

WACO, Texas (Oct. 12, 2018) – The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to hear invited and public testimony on several water issues at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the Meyer Conference Center on the second floor of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, 1621 S. Third St., on the Baylor University campus.

The parking lot in front of Russell Gym, located at 1428 S. Third St., Waco, TX 76706, has been reserved for those attending the hearing. Parking is free.

“It’s an honor for Baylor University to host a public hearing of the Texas House Committee on Natural Resources, which provides an opportunity for local citizens, as well as our students, faculty and staff, to hear discussion of such important issues as water quality and availability,” said Rochonda Farmer-Neal, M.A. ’93, director of government relations at Baylor.

The committee will hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

INTERIM CHARGE #4: Examine the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits of and challenges to expanded water markets.

• Kim Wilson, Director, Water Availability Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Rodney T. Smith, President, Stratecon Inc.
• Chloe Lieberknecht, Director of Government Relations, Texas Nature Conservancy
• Dr. Charles Porter, Adjunct Faculty, St. Edward’s University
• Ken Kramer, Chair, Water Resources Committee, Sierra Club

INTERIM CHARGE #5: Examine the potential value, the necessary elements, and the implications of a broad-based information and awareness campaign regarding water issues in Texas. Consider input from water stakeholders, educators, and communications experts.

• Kim Wilson, Director, Water Availability Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Dr. Bob Brandes, Robert J. Brandes Consulting

INTERIM CHARGE #7: Analyze the need to update Water Availability Models for the river basins in this state.

• Michael Harman, Executive Creative Director, Harman Friday
• Rye Clifton, Director of Experience, GSD&M
• Linda Christie, Director of Community and Government Relations, Tarrant Regional Water District
• Dana Nichols, Conservation Manager, San Antonio Water System
• Marise McDermott, President/CEO, The Witte Museum

INTERIM CHARGE #10: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.

• State Flood Assessment Overview - John Dupnik, Executive Administrator, Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board

A livestream of the hearing will be available at clevr.me/hosted/texashousenrc/.

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS - Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at 512-463-0850, 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.