Water Concerns

Anyone who lives in Wichita Falls and surrounding area who isn't concerned about water is just not paying attention. No surprise that there is a lot going on relating to that topic. As our lakes continue to drop, everyone needs to conserve.

Here are some programs those of you who read this blog (and keep up with our more active Facebook page) will be interested in.

Thursday, March 6, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. State Rep James Frank will hold a Water Town Hall in Rm 101, Dillard College, Midwestern State University.

Thursday March 6, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Chris Cornman of Best Exteriors of North Texas, will be presenting a program on using greywater at River Bend Nature Center.

Tuesday, March 25, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM, the Clean Rivers Advisory Committee will meet at the Red River Authority offices. This is a more technical meeting, but is open to the public. You do need to RSVP as they provide lunch. RSVP to Stacey Green at 940-723-2236 or stacey.green@rra.texas.gov by March 18.

Three Water Topics

First, I went to the Red River Authority Clean Rivers Program meeting today and heard some interesting speakers and had a nice lunch (thanks, RRA!) Although all of the presentations were of interest to me, I was looking forward to three presentations in particular--I wasn't disappointed. An opportunity to get involved in the Region B water planning process is coming up on May 18 at 10:00 AM. The Region B Water Planning Group will be holding an public meeting to get input on the scope of planning activities for the next round of water planning. There was also an interesting article on coming water shortages on the Nature Conservancy blog today. Although international in focus, the US has not and will not escape having to deal with issues of water quality and quantity.

Interested in Water Resources?

If you are, you should consider attending the Texas Clean Rivers Program Red River Basin Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting is open to the public. Details:

March 29, 2011, 9:30 AM
Red River Authority of Texas
3000 Hammon Rd
Wichita Falls, TX

Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction

Nutrient Criteria Standard Development

Presentation of the Draft 2011 Basin Highlights Report for the Canadian and Red River Basins

Review and Discussion of Current Monitoring Activities and Recommendationsfor Fiscal Year 2012

An Overview of Water Quality Projeccts in the Rolling and High Plains

Design for an Investigation of Concentrations of Pharmceutical and Personal Care Products in the Trinity River, Dallas, TX

Invasive Species Management and Control in Texas

General Comments and Discussion

The Red River Authority will provide lunch, but you need to RSVP to Stacey Gree at the RRA by March 24. You can reach her at 940-723-2236 or sgreen@rra.dst.tx.us.

I plan to attend and would like to see other interested citizens there. Let me know if you're planning to attend and we can meet up. Just email green.wichitafalls@gmail.com.

Texas Master Naturalists Holding Meet and Greet

The Rolling Plains chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists will hold a meet and greet and public forum on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:30 PM at River Bend Nature Center.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The speaker is Henry C. Wied with the Red River Authority. He will be speaking about the Red River Authority, with an emphasis on their environmental operations. His presentation will begin at 7:00 pm.

Also at this meeting, Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists will receive certification recognition awards and information will be available about the Spring training class and upcoming chapter projects.

Please come.

Care About Water?

Just a reminder that the League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls will have Curtis Campbell from the Red River Authority and the Region B Planning Group as our speaker on September 1. If you care about having enough drinkable water in the future, be sure to be there.

September 1
11:30 (buffet line opens); noon (program starts)

Buffet price is $8.75

The meeting is open to the public.