By: King of Uvalde (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.B. No. 1016
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 13, 2015;
April 21, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on
Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs; May 5, 2015, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 5, 2015, sent
to printer.)
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.
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