Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-04
west TEXANS
Want WATER
AMENDMENTS
South Texas Will Wig
orously Oppose Rad
ical Changes In Ex-
listing Water Laws
BY HARRY SEXTON

WAA ~
secure numerous amendments to
existing laws relating to the alloca-
tion OF water from Texas streams for
irrigation, municipal and power and
other purposes, was indicated ut the
all-state conference ut Dallas this
week in which all sections Of the
state were represented.
Frank Robertson Of San Benito
attended the conference rs the rep
Tesentative Of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley irrigation districts, and
w. +. Anderson of San Benito rep
resented the South Texas Chamber
of Commerce.
The proposal Of West Texas did
not meet the general approval Of 9TH
err sections, and notice was served
that any effort to make radical
changes in the water laws would
rsect opposition from the irrigation
interests Of South Texas.
The Colorado river, and the va
rious irrigation ard power projects
which desire to utilize the waters Of
tnat stream, was practically the only
subject discussed. Representatives
from South Texas, East Texas and
North Texas asserted they were not
interested in the Colorado problem,
further than the principles involved
therein, and suggested that the Colo
RADIO proposition be settled and not
be injected into any further meetings
that may be held.
The essence of the proposition
upon which West Texas represent
alive desired approval Of the confer
ence was that to West Texas lands
should be allocated all waters that
fall on the West Texas water shed.
West Texas representatives asserted
they were in favor of protecting ex-
listing rights; but other represent
atives took the view that the pro-
posal Of the West Texans, If accepted
as the fundamental policy Of the
state in the ALLEGATION of water.
would prohibit further power of ir-
rigation development on the lower
reaches Of any Texas stream, as the
watershed region would have the
right to utilize the water at any time
it may see fit.
insult Represented
The insult interests were repre-
scented at the conference and indi-
Gated they would not consider the
Colorado river power project unless
they were assured that all arrange
ments for the use Of water would be
satisfactory 10 West Texas. The
original plan Of the power company
was to utilize 1000 second feet or
approximately 100000 acre feet per
year. They offered to cut this
amount to 500 second feet or $4,000
acre feet per year. which would leave
sufficient water for the irrigation
OF $4,000 acres above the impound-
ing dams. The mean annual flow of
the Colorado is 100000 acre feet.
and West Texas desired sufficient
water to irrigate 10000 acres
"~henever in the future they may
desire TO do So" The power inter
csts pointed out that TO grant this
volume Of water for irrigation would
prevent the utilization Of the stream
for power purposes and would also
seriously affect the Gulf coast rice
lands ear the mouth of the stream.
Tentative plans Of the power com
pany include the construction Of five
dams on the Colorado between Kings
land and Marble Falls. The utili-
ration of the water for generation
Of hydro-electric power would re
suit in equalization Of the streams
AiON anu AHG GOIlHtA41HA 0G~NtA0RHANnA
of larger irrigation projects below
the dams. These projects. IL is
understood, are virtually assured.
whereas those IN West Texas, aside
from the proposed 30, 900 acre irri-
cation project near Brownwood. may
never be developed. Irrigation inter
ests in the Brentwood section sew
eral months ago filed for $1,000
acres. and were granted sufficient
water for $4,000 acres by the state
board.
Nav Not Utilize Colorado
The attitude Of the power inter-
ehts indicates they will make no
further effort 70 utilize the Colorado
for power purposes unless West
Texas definitely rejects the principle
which has repeatedly been placed
before the various conferences to the
effect that the areas az the head
waters Of q stream may withhold
waters for possible future use 20 the
Getriment of development on the
lower res hes of the stream. This
principle. they assert. IL accepted as
the policy Of the state, would ef-
fecturlly prevent further power and
irrigation development in Texas.
Existing water rights on the Lower
Rio G-ande would not be jeopardized
IL the states policy in the ALLEGATION
Of water were changed 10 conform
with the ideas presented BY West
Texas. but the establishment OF this
principle would prevent further in
crease Of the irrigated area in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley or on the
lower reaches Of any Texas stream.
Valley representatives at the con-
ference stated. They announced that
the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which
represents two-thirds of the irri-
rated area Of Texas. was well salts
fled with existing laws. and that any
effort TO secure radical changes
would meet promp. protest.