TX Water Development Board Seeks Public Input

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will be holding Board work sessions around the state over the next two months to solicit comments on draft rules for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT). The draft rules establish prioritization criteria for projects seeking financial assistance from the TWDB.

On Friday, July 11, 2014, the draft rules for the SWIFT and SWIRFT were published in the Texas Register, officially opening the formal comment period.

Texas voters approved legislation last November that created the SWIFT and SWIRFT.  The funds will be available in 2015 and will be used to finance water projects that are in the current state water plan.   Before the funds become available, the TWDB has to approve administrative rules that define standards for rural, conservation and reuse projects, as well as propose prioritization criteria for projects seeking financial assistance.

At each work session, interested individuals will be able to comment on the draft rules.  The work sessions will be held in:

• San Antonio at Texas A&M University, One University Way, on July 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
• San Angelo at the City Council Chambers, McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive, on August 13, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.
• Fort Worth at The University of Texas at Arlington, Robotics Laboratory, Main Auditorium, 7300 Jack Newell Boulevard South, on August 21, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.

Interested stakeholders who are unable to attend a work session can view and submit public comments on the TWDB website or email comments to rulescomments@twdb.texas.gov. The formal comment period will continue until September 1, 2014.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.