Updates

We preserved a special part of Texas.

This fall, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson announced plans to transfer the ruggedly scenic Christmas Mountains to Texas State University, where the land will be open to all. Previously, Patterson proposed selling the mountains to private interests. But after a public outcry—including thousands of petition signatures from Environment Texas members—he promised to protect the Christmas Mountains forever.

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As Fracking Increases, So Do Fears About Water Supply

CARRIZO SPRINGS, Tex. — In this South Texas stretch of mesquite trees and cactus, where the land is sometimes too dry to grow crops, the local aquifer is being strained in the search for oil. The reason is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a drilling process that requires massive amounts of water.

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News Release | Environment Texas

No parks will close under budget; but local parks unfunded

AUSTIN – Today, the Senate Finance committee approved a budget increasing funding for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by $35 million over the previous biennium. This funding level would likely prevent any parks closures and supports TPWD requests for fisheries and wildlife funding. However, the $15.5 million requested for the local parks grant program is not funded.

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News Release | Environment Texas

House Committee Passes Water Funding Bill

AUSTIN - This morning, the House Committee on Natural Resources voted 11-0 in favor of HB 4, a bill that sets up a revolving loan fund to support projects in the State Water Plan. If approved with companion HB 11, $2 billion would be taken from the “rainy day fund “to support new reservoirs, pipelines, desalination and conservation.

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News Release | Environment Texas

Report: Conservation Could Save 500 Billion Gallons of Water per Year, Helping Rivers and Whooping Cranes

AUSTIN - Strategies to conserve water in agriculture, landscaping and energy production could save 500 billion gallons of water per year in 2020, according to a new Environment Texas Research and Policy Center report. The report comes a week after a federal judge ordered the state of Texas to keep more water in the Guadalupe River to support endangered whooping cranes and as the Legislature considers funding a fifty year water plan.

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Report | Environment Texas Research and Policy Center

Keeping Water in Our Rivers

Water levels in Texas’ rivers and streams are dropping. The 2011 drought was the worst in more than a century, and conditions improved little in 2012. Drought has reduced recreational opportunities, harmed wildlife, and threatened drinking water supplies. As Texas’ population and economy continue to grow, demand for water will increase, making it more important than ever to use water wisely.

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