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Friday, March 7, 1997

Bullock challenges committee to pass water legislation

By SARAH HORNADAY Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Five water conservation bills have come and gone from the Texas Legislature in the last 60 years. On Thursday Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock stressed the importance of not letting a sixth get away.

"There have been an number of bills that have gathered dust. I'd say now it's time to fish or cut bait," Bullock said. "To me there's no bill more important to our state and to our future than Senate Bill 1 because it deals with such a precious commodity and that's water."

Bullock was the first to give testimony at the Senate Natural Resources Committee's hearing for the water conservation bill authored by Sen. J.E. "Buster" Brown, R-Lake Jackson.

The legislation would create a statewide drought management plan created by the coordination of existing city and county plans. Brown introduced a revised version of his bill Thursday.

Changes included an effort to enhance water marketing - the sale or lease of a property owner's water rights.

The committee will continue testimony next week.

Brown has said last summer's drought cost Texas farmers $2.1 billion and the entire state $5 billion.

Ninety-five of the state's 254 counties sought federal disaster funds for that drought. In testimony Bullock said, the state has had five major droughts the last 60 years.

The lieutenant governor stressed the urgency of the bill's passage and called for the committee to pass a water management bill - in some form - this session.

"Water experts have warned us that every single area of Texas will be starved of water in the next 50 years. This is not a time to be timid," Bullock said. "It's a time for us to work together and it's not a time to be against something. It's time for all of us to be for something and work together to get a product that will serve us for the next 50 years and for the next 100 years if possible."Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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