DRAFT Sustainable Groundwater Use Through the Lens of Rural Working Lands

DRAFT The Issue Private lands in the U.S. are undergoing significant changes (e.g., >1 acre of farmland lost/minute). Most lands in U.S. are privately-owned and play an unseen yet critical role in water/food sustainability and national/energy security. Effective conservation will require innovative solutions to sustaining private rural working lands. We need to make the case that private lands provide a public benefit

DRAFT The Issue in Texas  142 million acres of farms, forests, and rangelands  1.5 million acres net loss between  Land “consumption rates” – 280 acres/1000 new residents  40% of conversion in the top 25 high-growth counties. (red indicates high conversion rates) Land Trends Forecasting 280 acre/1000r 560 acre/1000r

DRAFT The Economics In average market value of a farm, ranch, and forestland was $1,196 per acre Profitability- fewer than 50% of ag holdings less than 500 acres reported generating a profit Where’s the incentive to keep rural lands rural? 4

DRAFT The Disconnect 5 95% of Texas is privately owned 90% of Texans live in urban areas Policy is heavily influenced by the 90% Only 13 of 147 counties west of I-35 are considered urban Urban taxpayers receive $1.27 worth of service for every tax dollar spent Rural taxpayers receive $0.33 worth of service for every tax dollar spent How do we make the case for rural lands?

DRAFT A Template for Success Leveraging public funds SAWS- minimal water treatment still results in some of the cleanest drinking water Recharge zone is essentially all rural working land “Willingness to pay” study Development of land in eastern Comal County would result in $221/acre cost to the public in perpetuity 2,359 acres was estimated to be developed in Comal County by 2020  $37,314 per year lost in groundwater recharge capacity Public would pay $1,566/acre to protect recharge lands 6 From: Private Lands Public Benefits by Texas A&M-IRNR and American Farmland Trust, 2010

DRAFT House Bill 1025 Leveraging state dollars How can SWIFT funds be used to address sustainable groundwater use? What types of projects might be funded in rural areas? Loans vs Grants DRAFT 7