Assessing Natural Resource and Water Challenges

Roel R. Lopez

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Changing Texas

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Texas Rural and Urban Populations

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1950 1980 2005 (estimate)

Urban Population

Rural Population

2015

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Texas Projections (2010–2050)

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Project Objectives Background – Texas Collaborative of Rural Funders Engage with rural community leaders to understand

needs and specific challenges Compile geospatial information to illustrate factors

influencing changes in rural communities or landscapes based on their identified needs and challenges.

Share work collectively to foster a broader dialogue of challenges and opportunities for rural communities over the next several decades.

Characterize rural community challenges and opportunities in a summary report with an emphasis on natural and water resources.

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Assessment Process County Commissioner Survey

– Survey results to inform geospatial analyses

Use of Existing Datasets– Land Trends (Agriculture)– Landowner Demographics– Energy Trends– Water Needs– Others?

Analyses and Summary– Compile geospatial information – Identify regional differences

Use of information for policy need areas

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County Commissioner SurveyGeneral Needs What do you consider to be your

county’s top 3 general needs and challenges?

Natural Resource Needs What do you consider to be your county’s top 3 natural

resource needs and challenges?

Land Management Needs What do you consider to be your county’s top 3 land

management needs and challenges?

Water Needs What do you consider to be your county’s top 3 water

needs and challenges?

85 Counties33% of 254 Counties

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Rural Counties

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Population Growth

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Disclaimer

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General – Rural “Voices”

Managing Growth

Jobs

Roads

Infrastructure

Broadband (Internet)

JailCounty Cooperation

Unfunded Mandates

Law Enforcement

Livable Wages

Courthouse

Bridges

Floods

EducationFire Equipment

Water

Transportation

Traffic/Congestion

Ag Industry

Industry

Mental Health Care

Indigent Care

Marine Resources Protection

Worker Housing

Tourism

Revenue

Funding

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General – Top 10

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Education – Top 10

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Funding – Top 10

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Government – Top 10

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Employment

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Land Management – Rural “Voices”Abandoned Mobile Homes & Vehicles

Aging Landowners

Road Improvement

Regulate/Permit CommercialChronic Wasting Disease

Waste ManagementCounty Zoning Ordinance Authority

Conservation Reserve Program Wildfire Fuel Sources

Ground Water Restoration and Protection Strategies

Forestry Production

Minerals

Forest Lands

Authority to Manage Growth

Agricultural Land Productivity

Manage Quarry Activity

Ecotourism

Subdividing Rules & Regulations

Drought

Land Rights

Rezone Ag Land

Water Runoff

TourismSand Mines

Zoning Land for Oilfield WasteFarming & Oilfield Waste

Wind Farms

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Land Management – Top 10

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Growth – Top 10

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Land Fragmentation

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Land Fragmentation

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Land Fragmentation

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Land Fragmentation

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Waste Mgmt-Industry

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Waste Mgmt-Industry

Waste MgmtIndustry

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Waste/Industrial

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Natural Resources – Rural “Voices”

Preserve Resources

Agriculture

Air Quality

Tree Removal

Water

Coal

Coastal Restoration

Erosion

Feral Hogs

Sand Mining

Oil Company Restoration Assistance

Native Rangelands

Wildfires

Property Rights

CDU Courses

Wind Turbines

Oil & Gas Damage

Renewable Energy

Soil Conservation

Conservation

Timber management

Trash Dumping

Limestone Quarries

Depletion of Resources Without Compensation

Wildlife

Timber

Tree Ordinance

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Natural Resources – Top 10

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Wildlife – Top 10

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Infrastructure – Top 10 “Relevant to upcoming topics”

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Transportation – Top 5

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Oil and Gas Market Value

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Oil and Gas

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Wind Energy

2010 Turbines 2017 Turbines

Total 7,140 15,770

Existing 6,252 12,069

Proposed 888 3,701

Total 5,183 8,800

Existing 4,751 7,405

Proposed 432 1,395

Statewide

CREZ

Wind Energy– Largest

producer in nation

– 12,000 existing turbines

– 3,700 proposed turbines

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Wind Energy

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Wind Energy and Mission Footprint

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Energy• Energy Corridors• Traffic Increase

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Energy

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Energy

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Water – Rural “Voices”

Water Quantity

Regulating Well Spacing

Dam Maintenance

County Water Plan

FrackingMitigation

Fresh Water to Mix with Bay WaterDrinkable Water

Storm WaterSurface Water Management

Surface Water Pollution by Feral Hogs

Tourism

Drought

Future Water Use

More Reservoirs

Runoff

Quality

Protection

Decrease Radon Levels

Water RightsAdequate Supply

Agriculture

Aquifer

Conservation

Drainage Issues

Sewers

Clean Water

Water Wells

Flood Control

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Water – Top 10

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Water (Quantity/Quality)

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Water (Quantity/Quality)

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Flooding

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Flooding

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Flooding

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The Issues… Complicated issues,

many are inter-related and with no cookie cutter solutions

General issues emerged in 3 areas: water, energy, and land.

Solicit input on potential approaches or policies

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Next Steps… Charge:

Characterize natural resource and water patterns

Discuss some issues that surfaced: – Water Availability,

Water Quality, and Flooding

– Energy-Transportation, Waste Mgmt-Industry

– Land Fragmentation Quality

Water Rights

Conservation

Water Wells

Flood Control

Roads

Waste Management

http://nri.tamu.edu/http://txlandtrends.org/

Roel R. Lopez roel@tamu.edu

Promoting Private Lands Stewardship through Research, Education, and Policy.

Questions?