84R5839 JAM-F
 
  By: Uresti, Zaffirini S.B. No. 1293
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the designation of certain river or stream segments as
  being of unique ecological value.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "Region L" means
  Regional Water Planning Area L designated in accordance with
  Section 16.053, Water Code, as the area's boundaries existed on
  September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 2.  DESIGNATION OF RIVER OR STREAM SEGMENTS OF
  UNIQUE ECOLOGICAL VALUE. The legislature, as authorized by Section
  16.051(f), Water Code, designates as being of unique ecological
  value the following river or stream segments:
               (1)  the Nueces River from the northern boundary of
  Region L to United States Geological Survey gauge number 08190000;
               (2)  the Frio River from the northern boundary of
  Region L to United States Geological Survey gauge number 08195000;
               (3)  the Sabinal River from the northern boundary of
  Region L to its intersection with State Highway 187;
               (4)  the San Marcos River from a point 0.4 miles
  upstream from its intersection with State Highway Loop 82 to its
  intersection with Interstate Highway 35; and
               (5)  the Comal River from its intersection with East
  Klingemann Street in New Braunfels to its confluence with the
  Guadalupe River.
         SECTION 3.  EFFECT OF DESIGNATION. The designation of a
  river or stream segment as being of unique ecological value under
  Section 2 of this Act:
               (1)  means only that a state agency or political
  subdivision of the state may not finance the actual construction of
  a reservoir in the designated segment;
               (2)  does not affect the ability of a state agency or
  political subdivision of the state to construct, operate, maintain,
  or replace a weir, a water diversion, flood control, drainage, or
  water supply system, a low water crossing, or a recreational
  facility in the designated segment;
               (3)  does not prohibit the permitting, financing,
  construction, operation, maintenance, or replacement of any water
  management strategy to meet projected water supply needs
  recommended in, or designated as an alternative in, the 2011 or 2016 
  Regional Water Plan for Region L; and
               (4)  does not alter any existing property right of an
  affected landowner.
         SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2015.