Irrigation Districts were created by the State of Texas and operate under certain chapters of the Water Code.The Water Code allows a method by which districts can be dissolved by its Board,when the Board considers it advisable. Why are we ignoring legislation already in place? I completely disagree with any proposed legislation that would allow a municipality to simply pass an ordinance to dissolve an Irrigation District. With a snap of a finger, a century old entity no longer exists and millions of dollars of assets are now the property of a city. I am not certain anyone completely understands how exactly this would work, and to me, it just seems unconstitutional that this type of thing can happen in the United States of America. For those that were present at the Texas House hearing of this bill, you know what I mean when I say that it is scary to think that those individuals giving testimony would be the managers of our water and its delivery system.

 

For approximately a 2-year period, municipalities and irrigation districts worked together on legislation that would set a methodology by which irrigation water rights could be converted to municipal rights as property was developed. So with this being in place, I don't think it is a matter of not being able to acquire sufficient water rights. If it is a delivery problem, then it would seem to me that it is a lack of communication, a conflict of personalities, or a jurisdictional tug of war. The problem with this, is that it brings the rest of the irrigation districts to defend this one district for fear of who will be next. I understand that this is a local bill, but regardless of what the bill reads, this WILL set a precedence and we must continue to fight for our agriculture friends while at the same time allowing for progress and growth of our communities.

 

In 2004, the Lower Rio Grande Authority (LRGA), which consisted of Irrigation Districts, was abolished. At that time the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, (RGRWA), was formed which includes interests from irrigation districts, public, municipal, and water supply corporations. I was appointed by  Governor Rick Perry at that time to sit on this Board and currently serve as Vice-Chair. 

At our last meeting a resolution was presented to the RGRWA that supports a mediation between the Hidalgo County Water Improvement (Irrigation) District #3 and the City of McAllen, Texas to hopefully find some solution to the problem between the 2 entities. I believe at this time, a mediator is being ageeded upon by the 2 entities.

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Sonia Lambert

Vice-Chairman

Rio Grande Regional Water Authority

Statement by Governor Perry Appointee to RW reports