SRC-AXB S.C.R. 63 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 63
By: Armbrister
Natural Resources
4/26/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, certain individuals attempt to mine water from other aquifers to
inject into the Edwards Aquifer to obtain credits for pumping amounts at a
later point in time.  Such action causes pollution and degradation of the
Edwards Aquifer in the attempt to recharge it.  Furthermore, this
groundwater piracy results in the waste and depletion of other aquifers,
and it is against the public policy of Texas to deplete one groundwater
resource for the benefit of another.  S.C.R. 63 addresses legislative
concerns regarding the protection and maintenance of groundwater quality.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.C.R. 63 submits the following resolutions:

That the legislature did not contemplate or intend that certain
groundwaters be used for artificial recharge of an aquifer other than the
Edwards Aquifer as that practice could deplete one resource to benefit
another, or degrade the receiving or injected groundwaters. 

That the Texas Legislature intended and contemplated that only surface
waters would be available for use for the artificial recharge of the
Edwards Aquifer.