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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texas is a diverse state with a variety of |
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ecological and hydrogeological regions and a wide range of |
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rainfall, surface water, and groundwater availability; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board estimates that the |
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state's population will more than double between 2000 and 2060, |
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growing from about 21 million to some 46 million; the board further |
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estimates that the demand for water will increase by 27 percent, |
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from nearly 17 million acre-feet of water in 2000 to 21.6 million |
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acre-feet in 2060, and that existing water supplies will decrease |
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by about 18 percent, from approximately 17.9 million acre-feet in |
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2010 to around 14.6 million acre-feet in 2060; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions |
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to help the state meet water supply needs now and in the future is |
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water conservation, which includes not only the reduction of |
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overall demand for water but also the increase in efficiency of |
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water systems; and |
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WHEREAS, The Water Conservation Advisory Council was created |
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in 2007 to develop information on best conservation practices and |
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report biennially to the legislature on water conservation efforts; |
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additionally, the 2007 State Water Plan recommends that 600,000 |
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acre-feet of municipal water be conserved statewide, and many |
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believe additional water conservation is achievable by a number of |
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new conservation methods, including increased energy efficiency; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Some regional water plans also set ambitious water |
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conservation goals and must meet those goals to be able to match |
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water demand with water supply; most cities are required by state |
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law to develop written water conservation plans, and several have |
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adopted exemplary water conservation programs; and |
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WHEREAS, Education about water conservation opportunities |
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and practices is needed for consumers, municipal users, |
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agriculture, and industry to consume less, waste less, and reuse |
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more; taking the lead in such education are the Texas Water |
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Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, |
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the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Agriculture, |
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and the Texas Water Foundation; moreover, groundwater conservation |
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districts, water utilities and irrigation districts, river |
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authorities, communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and |
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individuals are also involved in the efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes the critical importance |
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of bringing together water conservation leaders to educate Texans |
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about water conservation opportunities and practices and to promote |
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the need for additional conservation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Texans across the state for their |
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efforts to conserve water, urge them to continue to conserve even |
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more water, and recognize May 21, 2009, as Texas Water Conservation |
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Day at the State Capitol. |
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Ritter |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2236 was adopted by the House on May |
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21, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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