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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Steve D. Walthour retired as general manager of the |
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North Plains Groundwater Conservation District on October 1, 2023, |
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concluding more than 16 years of dedicated public service; and |
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WHEREAS, Hired to his position in May 2007, Mr. Walthour has |
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utilized his expertise as a geoscientist to guide the district in |
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its mission to protect and conserve groundwater resources in an |
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eight-county area of the Texas Panhandle; under his leadership, the |
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district has developed outstanding conservation programs and |
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educational resources, which include Master Irrigator Program |
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classes and educational events and initiatives for youth and other |
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members of the public; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the major highlights of Mr. Walthour's tenure |
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was the opening of the district's North Plains Water Conservation |
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Center in 2014; the center is engaged in scientific research on how |
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to successfully cultivate crops such as corn with lower water |
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requirements; in June 2018, the center welcomed visitors from the |
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Texas House of Representatives, including members of the House |
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Natural Resources Committee; and |
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WHEREAS, A registered professional geoscientist, |
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Mr. Walthour earned bachelor's and master's degrees in geology from |
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the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; throughout his |
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40-year-long career, he has led teams of professionals in the |
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development of groundwater management programs using a variety of |
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well-researched practices, and he has held such positions as field |
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geologist, regional subsurface geologist, senior hydrogeologist, |
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and hazardous materials response team manager; moreover, he has |
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served as an international technical consultant on a range of |
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topics, including hydrogeology, groundwater availability, |
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permitting, and water rights litigation; and |
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WHEREAS, Steve Walthour's exceptional knowledge, leadership, |
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and professionalism have greatly benefited the North Plains |
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Groundwater Conservation District and the Texans it has served, and |
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his achievements will be remembered and admired for many years to |
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come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Steve |
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D. Walthour on his retirement as general manager of the North |
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Plains Groundwater Conservation District and extend to him sincere |
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best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Walthour as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |