Texas Builder, May/June 2016

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10 Texas Association of Builders May/June 2016
On Council
kicked off the successful launch at the
Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Redbud Center in Austin. An informative
series of short presentations about the State
Water Plan’s effect on the Texas economy
and highlights from the Region K water
plan grabbed the audience’s attention and
initiated public dialogue on how water is
allocated throughout the state.
Bech Bruun, Chairman of the Texas Water
Development Board, provided an overview
of the water planning process in Texas and
offered a staggering population growth
statistic. The population of Texas was 25
million in 2010 and by 2060 the state’s
population is expected to grow to 46
million. This is nearly double our state’s
current population and provides a critical
reason to properly allocate water resources
for our state’s growing needs. Needless
to say, the water demand for municipal
(includes residential uses), manufacturing,
mining, steam-electric, livestock, and
irrigation needs will grow substantially.
Following the town hall meeting, attendees
were provided a tour of theWilkerson Center
for Colorado River Education. During this
outdoor walking tour, guests moved through
a series of fountains that symbolized the
Highland Lakes System, including dam and
lake levels, starting at Lake Buchanan down
to Lady Bird Lake. Hill County Builders
Association Executive Officer and TAB
Water Task Force member Jayne Mortensen
was in attendance and discussed with
longtime Region K Chairman John Burke
about any potential plans to address the
Highland Lakes zero discharge rule.
The H204Texas Statewide Tour will take
place throughout 2016 leading up to the
85th Legislative Session (begins January
2017). To learn when the tour will be in
your region, visit .
TAB WATER TASK FORCE
Texas home builders, developers, and
remodelers have seen first-hand the increasing
needs of our rapidly growing state. TAB
recognizes that having a reliable source of
water is one of themost important components
of the state’s economic well-being and when
providing housing for future Texans. The
TAB Government Relations Committee has
a designated Water Task Force to cultivate
builder representation in water planning
regions around Texas. Being involved in the
development of projects that may support
or affect future residential development and
construction and taking steps to address a
region’s needs is one of the goals of the TAB
Water Task Force. The Task Force meets
regularly to discuss water infrastructure
projects, the prioritization of projects, and
funding requests in each region.
To get involved with the TAB Water Task Force,
visit
regulatory-affairs/get-involved/grc-task-forces.html.
Tommy Ford and Terry Weaver are volunteer
co-chairmen of TAB’s Government Relations
Committee's Water Task Force. Ford is the president
of Tommy Ford Construction Company, while
Weaver owns Sterling Development Company.
TAB has joined forces with the
H2O4Texas Coalition to embark
on a statewide educational tour
in a proactive effort to bring
awareness about Texas’ State
Water Plan and to encourage
local stakeholder involvement
in the implementation of this
nationally recognized water plan.
The H2O4Texas Statewide Tour is a
voluntary by-product of the passage of
Proposition 6 in November 2013, which
gave approval for a $2 billion investment
in the implementation of the Texas State
Water Plan. The tour with honorary Co-
Chairs Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)
and Representative Jim Keffer (R-Eastland)
will draw on the unique assets of each of
the sixteen water regions around the state,
offering guided tours of water infrastructure
projects and public town hall meetings.
Working collaboratively with local and
state leaders, regional water planners, the
economic development community, and a
network of engaged Texans, the tour aims to
ensure Texas has an ongoing supply of clean,
affordable water for future generations.
The tour was launched on February 9 in the
Region K Water Planning area (includes
major cities such as Austin, Bastrop, Bay
City, Columbus, Fredericksburg, Johnson
City, Llano, Marble Falls, and Pflugerville).
Local State Representatives Donna Howard
(D-Austin) and Paul Workman (R-Austin)
Tommy Ford and Terry Weaver, TAB Government Relations Water Task Force Co-Chairmen
H2 O4Texas Statewide Tour: Coming to Your Town