State of Texas Brush Control Program 

Introduction

Water will likely be the most limiting natural resource in Texas in the future. The ability to meet future water needs will significantly impact growth and economic well being of this state. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimated that brush in Texas uses over 3.5 trillion gallons of water annually. Control of brush presents a viable option for increasing the availability of water allowing the state to meet its future needs.

The benefit of brush control on water supplies is not a new discovery. For example, in the 1960's landowners in the West Rocky Creek watershed, located about 20 miles west of San Angelo, started applying accelerated range conservation work, eventually treating 30,000 acres of brush. As a result of their work, productive grassland was restored, along with springs and stream flow, which had been dormant for decades.

Chapter 203 of the Texas Agriculture Code

In 1985, Senate Bill 1083, Acts of the 69th Legislature, Regular Session created the Texas Brush Control Program. The goal of this legislation, which was authored by Senator Bill Sims of San Angelo, is to enhance the State's water resources through selective control of brush species. This statute was codified in Chapter 203 of the Texas Agriculture Code (PDF). The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is designated as the agency responsible for administering the program and is given authority to delegate responsibility for administering certain portions of the program to local soil and water conservation districts.

In 1986, in accordance with §203.051, the TSSWCB first prepared and adopted a State Brush Control Plan. The TSSWCB periodically revises the Plan and adopted the most recent revision in January 2008. The 2007 State Brush Control Plan (PDF, 411 kB) includes a comprehensive strategy for managing brush in areas where brush is contributing to a substantial water conservation problem and designates areas of critical need in the state in which to implement the brush control program.

Section 203.056 requires the TSSWCB to submit a report on the Activities of the Brush Control Program (PDF) to the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor before January 31 of each year.

Section 203, Subchapter E created a cost share program for brush control, created the Brush Control Fund, limits the cost share rate to 80% of the total cost of a practice, and limits the cost share program to critical areas designated by the TSSWCB and to methods of brush control approved by the TSSWCB. It also establishes criteria for approving applications, setting priorities and contracting for cost sharing.

Brush Control Projects

North Concho River Watershed

Click here for the latest North Concho Brush Project Brochure

The purpose of the North Concho River Brush Control Project is to enhance the amount of water flowing from the North Concho River watershed into O.C. Fisher Reservoir. O.C. Fisher is a water supply for the city of San Angelo where water levels have fallen to critical levels (currently 4 percent of capacity).

The North Concho was selected for this project because of the demonstrable changes in the watershed brought about by brush infestation and the dramatic negative effects of these changes on water yields. Historically, the North Concho River and many of its tributaries flowed year round. Since the early 1960s, the North Concho has been virtually dry and water flow into O.C. Fisher Reservoir has been reduced to less than 20 percent of its normal.

With 400,000 acres of the 950,000-acre North Concho River watershed currently targeted for brush control by the TSSWCB (see chart below), drought-weary West Texans have their eyes fixed on this program looking for hope.

It is estimated this 10-year program will make over 65 billion gallons of water available during this period.

Based upon the results of the project's feasibility study, the 76th and 77th Legislatures have to date appropriated over $16 million to the TSSWCB to initiate this as a pilot brush control project. With these appropriations, over 320,000 acres of brush are expected to be treated.

Upper Colorado/Twin Buttes Reservoir Watershed

The Upper Colorado/Twin Buttes Reservoir watershed provides water to the City of San Angelo and much of West Texas. Based on water needs and the results of feasibility studies completed in 2000, the TSSWCB allocated $11.3 million for brush control in the Upper Colorado/Twin Buttes Reservoir watershed.

It is estimated that with this funding almost 200,000 acres of brush will be treated in this watershed. Estimates indicate that this will result in an additional 75 billion gallons of water becoming available in the Upper Colorado Twin Buttes Reservoir watershed over the next 10 years.

Pedernales River Watershed

The Pedernales River is a tributary to Lake Travis, which provides water to the city of Austin and other areas. Based on the needs and results of feasibility studies completed in 2000, the TSSWCB has allocated $3.7 million for brush control in this watershed.

An estimated 45,000 acres will be treated in this watershed with these funds. Projections based on feasibility studies completed in 2000 indicate that this project could result in an additional 110 billion gallons of water becoming available in the Pedernales River watershed over the next 10 years.

Feasibility Studies

Studies for Fiscal Years 2002-2003

The feasibility of using brush control to enhance water yield is currently being studied in the Lake Arrowhead, Lake Brownwood, Lake Fort Phantom Hill, and Lake Palo Pinto watersheds.

Lake Brownwood Watershed (PDF) Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir Watershed (PDF) Lake Arrowhead Watershed (PDF) Palo Pinto Reservoir Watershed (PDF)

Click on the map to see a larger image

The 77th Legislature provided $500,000 to initiate these brush control feasibility studies. These watersheds are identified in the State Brush Control Plan as reservoirs where brush control could enhance water supplies. The users of the water supplies in these watersheds have been hit hard by recent droughts resulting in the institution of water-use restrictions.

These new brush control feasibility studies were initiated in September 2001 and will be completed in November 2002. The final reports will be delivered to the Texas Legislature in December 2002.

Local Entities Participating In 2002-2003 Feasibility Studies Development

Studies for Fiscal Years 2000-2001

In 1999, the Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 to the TSSWCB to conduct eight brush control feasibility studies. The TSSWCB submitted the feasibility studies for the following basins to the 77th Legislature in January 2001.

Frio River Basin (PDF) Nueces River Basin (PDF) Pedernales River Basin (PDF) Wichita River Basin (PDF) Canadian River Basin (PDF) Middle Concho River Basin (PDF) Upper Colorado River Basin (PDF) Edwards Aquifer (PDF)

Click on the map to see a larger image

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Resources Assessment Team: (1) performed modeling to determine water yields, (2) used economic analysis to determine the feasibility of brush control projects in each watershed, and (3) produced a final report (PDF) describing their results. Local river authorities and water districts (see below) provided information on historic land use and hydrology of each watershed, assessed changes in land use and hydrology due to brush infestation, and assembled final reports for each watershed for submittal to the 77th Legislature.

Brush control for increased water yield was found to be economically feasible in all basins studied.

Local Entities Participating In 2000-2001 Feasibility Studies Development

Studies for Fiscal Years 1998-1999

In 1998, a year long study was completed on the North Concho River watershed to determine potential water yields from a comprehensive brush control program on the river's 950,000-acre watershed. The study was funded with a grant from the Texas Water Development Board and conducted by the TSSWCB, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Upper Colorado River Authority. The report found that the North Concho River watershed has the potential for increased water yield through brush control.

Partnering Agency Reports:

• Evaluation of the TSSWCB Brush Control Program: Monitoring Needs and Water Yield Enhancement 
• Effects of Brush Management on Water Resources (C. Allan Jones, Lucas Gregory - Texas Water Resources Institute / Texas A&M AgriLife)