1. Water Rights Permitting TCEQ Update
Kim Wilson, Director
Water Availability Division

2. Kim Wilson–Director OFFICE OF WATER
Kathy Alexander, Ph.D., Technical Specialist
Ross Henderson, Esq., Technical Specialist
Kelly Mills, P.G., Assistant Director
Suzy Valentine, P.E., Engineer Advisor (Interstate Compacts)
OFFICE OF WATER
Water Availability Division
December 1, 2016
Water Rights Permitting & Availability Section
Lori Hamilton, Manager
Leslie Patterson, Program Support Coordinator
Permit Support, Compliance & Groundwater Section
Cary Betz, P.G., Manager
Watermasters Section
Amy Settemeyer, Manager
Water Rights Permitting Team
Iliana Delgado, Leader
Chris Kozlowski, Work Lead
Groundwater Planning & Assessment Team
Abiy Berehe, P.G, Leader
Brazos Watermaster
Molly Mohler, Watermaster
Rio Grande Watermaster
Jose “Lupe” Luna, Watermaster
Jose “Pepe” Davila, Asst.
Watermaster
Surface Water Availability Team
Christine Peters, Leader
Water Rights Compliance Assurance Team
Joe Nicosia, Leader
South Texas & Concho Watermaster
Vacant, Watermaster
Resource Protection Team
Vacant, Leader
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

3. Staffing 8 New Positions in 2016 84th Legislature Agency
1 - Senior Hydrologist
2 - Project Managers
Agency
1 - Division Technical Specialist
1 - Manager – Permit Support/Compliance & Groundwater
3 - Administrative Support
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

4. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

5. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

6. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

7. Extension-Return Policy
Policies implemented to free staff to concentrate on applications that have active and responsive applicants.
Extension Policy
1 extension
30 day limit
Return Policy
Applications will be returned if information is not provided within requested timeframes.
30 day notification
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

8. Fast Track Permits
Fast Track Permits is pilot program to see if some applications can be expedited through the permitting process.
Started July 2016
Applications in the “Other” category
No WAM modeling
Approximately 120 pending applications at start
New applications are added as received
Pilot
Will continue until application processing is current.
Pilot applications will be analyzed to see what type of applications may best fit a permanent program.
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

9. Application Revisions
WAD is currently in the process of revising the water right application form.
Revised applications forms will be presented at the Water Rights Advisory Work Group
Stakeholders will have the opportunity ask questions and provide comments on the proposed forms.
New Forms
General Form
Specific forms – or worksheets – for the different types of information required with specific requests.
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

10. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

11. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

12. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

13. Water Use Reports
Mailed to water right owner of record in January of each year.
Water use reports are due on March 1 of each year.
New Water Use Report Forms
New forms for 2017
Tailored to the water right
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

14. Watermaster Programs

15. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

16. 01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

17. Evaluations
TWC §11.326(g)
TCEQ evaluation of basins without watermasters
5-year cycle
Cycle
2017: Brazos River Basin and the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin, the Colorado River Basin and the Brazos- Colorado and Colorado-Lavaca Coastal Basins
2018: Trinity and San Jacinto River Basins and the Trinity- San Jacinto and Neches-Trinity Coastal Basins
2019: Sabine and Neches River Basins
2020: Red and Canadian River Basin
2021: Sulphur and Cypress Creek Basins
01/11/2017
TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar

18. Kim Wilson, Director
Water Availability Division