Senator Glenn Hegar, a member of the Environmental Flows Advisory Group, today announced the appointment of stakeholder groups for the Colorado/Lavaca and Guadalupe/San Antonio River Basins.

House Bill 3, the omnibus water policy legislation passed in 2007, during the 80th Legislative Session, established the stakeholder involvement process to allow a diverse group of interests input as we study the current and future demands placed on Texas' water resources and the resulting environmental impacts.

"Texas has experienced rapid growth which is projected to continue and even quicken in pace," said Senator Hegar. "Although we are blessed with an abundance of streams, rivers, and aquifers, our water resources will not increase as our population does. Careful planning is needed to protect the environmental health, economic vitality, and natural beauty of our great state and I am honored to take part in this critical planning process."

"The stakeholder process established for the study of environmental flows is intended to be an inclusive process and participation from everyone within these river basins is encouraged and needed as there is much work ahead," Senator Hegar continued. "I am pleased to share the news that many dedicated and knowledgeable citizens of Senate District 18 were among those selected to take part in these two stakeholder groups. Their willingness to serve and share their expertise is greatly appreciated."

The stakeholder groups will begin work shortly with organizational meetings to establish timelines, make appointments, and set meeting schedules. Many groups will work together, including the Environmental Flows Advisory Group, the Science Advisory Committee, and, for each River Basin and Bay System in the State, a Basin and Bay Expert Science Team and a Basin and Bay Stakeholder Committee to establish the environmental needs. Upon conclusion of their work, the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality will adopt rules to provide environmental flow standards, including set-asides in basins where unappropriated water is available.

Senate District 18, which is made up of nineteen counties and spans over 16,000 square miles, is no stranger to water issues. It contains 1,325 county bay shoreline miles and encompasses some of the most beautiful and pristine bays and estuaries in the state as well as five major river basins. Senator Hegar stressed the importance of citizen participation by saying, "It is so important that the citizens get involved in this process in whatever way they can. The stakeholder groups' work will affect us all and input from all citizen groups is needed. I urge anyone interested in learning more to contact my office."

Senator Hegar served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives and now represents Senate District 18 in the Texas Senate. He is a sixth generation Texan, and earns a living farming rice and corn on land that has been in his family since the mid 1800's. He currently resides in Katy, Texas with his wife Dara, and their three children, Claire, Julia, and Jonah.