Focus at Four: Bryan mayor talks fight to keep water local
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) — “Water piracy” is the term officials are using to describe a developing concern that out-of-state entities are looking at using resources from local aquifers, but Bryan city leaders are pushing back.
The issue has been a concern not just to Bryan and College Station, but to Brazos County as a whole. Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez told KBTX that currently, an out-of-state entity is attempting this now.
“We have an out-of-state entity that’s based out of San Francisco with backing by some New York fundraisers and money to build a pipeline to send to Georgetown to effectively use up our water,” Mayor Gutierrez said.
The mayor told KBTX, “The City of Bryan, College Station, Brazos County, Texas A&M, Hearne, Calvert, Franklin; we use a little less or right at about 50,000 acre feet every year. If they get what they want, they’ll be able to take another 100,000. Basically, it will be triple what we’re taking out of our aquifer now.”
Mayor Gutierrez explained how these entities can impact the 50-year plan that has been put in place to conserve water for citizens.
“We have to have 50-year water conservation plans to make sure we have water for our citizens for 50 years out, and we’ve done a very good job. Our plan goes beyond 50 years,” assured Mayor Gutierrez. “If they can get these permits that they’re trying to transport this water, this will make our 50-year conservation plan anywhere from a six to 10-year plan.”
The concern of local officials is that the entities that taking the water are using it for their own growth with no regard for how it will affect the Brazos Valley.
“All the things that we have here, as far as economic development, will have to be halted. This is basically pirating in our water, taking to another area for their growth,” Mayor Gutierrez explained.
The mayor said this happening to the west of us in Burleson and Milam counties, “That water is being transported to San Antonio.”
These regulations come down to the state.
“They’re regulated by the state,” furthered Mayor Gutierrez, “and the state sets the rules and they’re abiding by those rules right now. It’s got to be fixed on the state level at this point really. The citizens need to get involved. You see things, we’ve seen these drought conditions we’ve had.”
If you’d like to take action as a resident, Mayor Gutierrez suggests reaching out to your state representatives.
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