The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plays a key role in implementing parts of the new law. Senate Bill 1 provides the tools to meet TPWD's goals, but it does not assure them. Using that data, TPWD biologists are rapidly completing a series of studies on the freshwater inflows that are necessary to maintain the health and productivity of every Texas estuary. When completed, if we are asked how much freshwater is needed for an estuary, TPWD biologists can tell you. Conversely, if given an amount of inflow, our biologists can predict the impact.
Similar capabilities are under development for Texas rivers.
We lead all other agencies in these regards. Policy - TPWD continues to take the lead in efforts to identify unique ecological sites and work with local planners to include their conservation in water planning. As the development of water markets accelerate because of provisions in SB-1, the ability of conservation minded individuals and organizations to set aside water for the environment will become more critical. TPWD intends to work closely with all interested parties to develop the Trust, unique in the country, to provide that opportunity. Sections of SB-1 denotes specific duties for the three natural resource agencies.