|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 909
|
|
WHEREAS, Texas is a diverse state with many different |
|
ecological and hydrogeological regions and a wide range of |
|
rainfall, surface water, and groundwater availability; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Texas Water Development Board estimates that |
|
Texas' population will more than double between 2000 and 2060, |
|
growing from about 21 million to about 46 million people; that |
|
the demand for water will increase by 27 percent, from almost 17 |
|
million acre-feet of water in 2000 to 21.6 million acre-feet in |
|
2060; and that existing water supplies will decrease by about 18 |
|
percent, from about 17.9 million acre-feet in 2010 to about 14.6 |
|
million acre-feet in 2060; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, One of the easiest and most cost-effective |
|
solutions for many parts of the state to help meet water supply |
|
needs now and in the future is water conservation, which is the |
|
reduction of overall demand for water and the increase in |
|
efficiency of water systems: consuming less, wasting less, and |
|
reusing more; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature has recognized the |
|
importance of water conservation, most recently with the 80th |
|
Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 4, which |
|
adopted several water conservation measures and created the |
|
Water Conservation Advisory Council in order to develop a library |
|
of best conservation practices and report biennially to the |
|
legislature on progress of water conservation efforts; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The 2007 State Water Plan recommends that 600,000 |
|
acre-feet of municipal water be conserved statewide, and many |
|
believe additional water conservation is achievable by a number |
|
of new conservation methods including increased energy |
|
efficiency; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Some regional water plans set ambitious water |
|
conservation goals and must meet those goals to be able to match |
|
water demand with water supply; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Most cities are required by state law to develop |
|
written water conservation plans, and several cities have |
|
adopted exemplary water conservation programs; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Education about water conservation opportunities |
|
and practices is needed for consumers, municipal users, |
|
agriculture, and industry; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Many in Texas are helping take the lead in |
|
educating Texans about the need to conserve water and are helping |
|
identify and implement water conservation strategies, including |
|
the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on |
|
Environmental Quality, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the |
|
Department of Agriculture, the Texas Water Foundation, |
|
groundwater conservation districts, water utilities and |
|
irrigation districts, river authorities, communities, |
|
businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes the critical |
|
importance of bringing together water conservation leaders, |
|
educating Texans about water conservation opportunities and |
|
practices, and promoting the need for additional conservation; |
|
now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
|
Legislature, hereby commend Texans across the state on their |
|
efforts to conserve water, urge Texans to continue and expand |
|
these efforts, and proclaim May 21, 2009, Texas Water |
|
Conservation Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
the participating organizations as an expression of esteem from |
|
the Texas Senate. |
|
|
Averitt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
the Senate on May 21, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |