Texas Water Development Board Conservation and the SWIFT Application Process Tom Entsminger TWDB State Programs Coordinator
Topics SWIFT Overview Project Eligibility Application Process Other TWDB Resources
Multi-year Commitments Finances implementation of Recommended Water Management Strategies Financing options Low-interest Loans Deferred Loans Board Participation Multi-year Commitments All Phases Eligible Planning Acquisition Design Construction
Is My Project Eligible for SWIFT? Is it a Recommended Water Management Strategy in the state water plan? Is there an associated capital cost?
Not Sure? If you aren’t sure whether your project fits within Plan language, call us! TWDB’s Planning staff can help.
The Path to Recommending Strategies identify “potentially feasible” strategies evaluate potentially feasible strategies compare evaluated strategies recommend strategies that are “cost-effective & environmentally sensitive” 31 TAC 357.35(b)
Evaluation of Strategies Based on: water quantity and reliability financial costs impacts to environment and agriculture impacts to water quality other factors such as regulatory requirements, time required to implement, etc.
Amendments Regional and State plans can both be amended to add strategies and/or capital costs The process takes time and is not free First step: contact your regional planning group
Regional Amendment Processes Regional Group considers request 30-day hearing notice Hearing 30-day comment period Regional Group makes decision Major Amendments: 62+ Days Regional Group considers request TWDB validation of “minor” classification (up to 45 days) 14-day notice period Regional Group makes decision 14-day follow-up comment period Minor Amendments: 30 - 45+ Days
State Water Plan Amendments Regional Amendment sent to TWDB TWDB reviews amendment 30-day hearing notice Hearing TWDB makes decision on adoption The State Water Plan is amended only after regional amendments are finalized.
SWIFT Funding Cycle Submit Abridged Application TWDB Staff perform Prioritization & capacity modeling Invitation to submit full applications Application review and funding commitments Applicants close on loans
Abridged Application Online option also available
Abridged Application Asks only for the info needed to complete prioritization (31 TAC §363.1304) Uses information already developed during the plan process: no new work required No commitment associated with Abridged Application submittal Technical assistance available throughout the process
Full Application Contact Information Legal Financial Project Details Technical Assistance Available Online option also available
How to Get Started CONTACT US! Team 1 Panhandle/West A/O/E/F Lee Huntoon (512) 463-6021 Team 2 Brazos G/B Caaren Skrobarczyk (512) 475-1128 Team 3 Northeast C/D Luis Farias (512) 463-0250 Team 4 East H/I Nancy Richards Team 5 Central J/K/L/P Clay Schultz (512) 463-6277 Team 6 South M/N Mireya Loewe (512) 475-0590
Conservation at TWDB Texas Water Development Fund (DFund) Offers low interest rates based on TWDB’s cost of funds Texas Water Development Fund (DFund) Offers subsidization of 125 basis points below borrower’s cost of funds and partial principal forgiveness Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Fund projects and research with ag conservation benefit Agricultural Water Conservation Grants/Loans
Conservation at TWDB Regardless of the funding source, applicants requesting $500,000 or more must have active Water Conservation Plans on file TWDB’s Conservation staff provide technical assistance to help systems develop their plans
Other TWDB Resources Water Wastewater Flood Control Conservation Project Financing Water Wastewater Flood Control Conservation Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Science Groundwater availability Environmental flows Lake surveys Planning State Water Plan Water Use Surveys Data Mapping & GIS Demographics
Interactive State Water Plan TexasStateWaterPlan.org
TWDB State Programs Coordinator Thanks! Tom Entsminger TWDB State Programs Coordinator (512) 936-0802 Tom.Entsminger@twdb.texas.gov