FEDERAL, STATE AGENCIES TO REVIEW TEXAS WATER QUALITY PROJECTS

ABILENE–A progress report on state and federal projects designed to help farmers and ranchers safeguard the nation’s water quality will be presented here May 30-June 1 at the Kiva Inn.

Representatives of 11 federal and state agencies will report and participants will get a close look at the Seymour Aquifer Hydrologic Unit Area Project in Knox and Haskell counties during an all-day tour the second day of the conference (May 31).

Federal agencies involved in the projects and review are the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Consolidated Farm Service Agency and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

State agencies taking part are the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and Texas Water Development Board.

The Seymour Aquifer project is one of four major national water quality efforts being conducted in Texas since 1990. That shallow aquifer underlies 274,500 acres and furnished drinking and domestic water for rural families and more than 2,000 irrigation wells and livestock in the two counties. Scientists are seeking solutions to a century-old problem of high nitrate levels in the aquifer, explained Dr. B. L. Harris,Extension Service soils specialist and project administrator.

The other three national studies in Texas, which will be reported on during the conference, are:

* Seco Creek Water Quality Demonstration Project, on the Edwards Aquifer west of San Antonio, the only U.S. study of rangeland water quality;

* Upper North Bosque River Hydrologic Unit, in North Central Texas, which focuses on management of dairy wastes, and

* Lake Fork Creek Hydrologic Unit, in the Sabine Basin, which has focused on potential nonpoint source surface and groundwater contamination.

Also to be covered during the reports are research by the Experiment Station on effects of juniper control on water conservation, Extension Service incorporation of water quality activities into county educational programs, Extension’s “Tex-A-Syst” wellhead protection program, water quality cost-sharing programs of the CFSA, and results of a statewide water quality survey by the Texas Farm Bureau.

Other reports will look at water quality programs of the state Water Development Board; nonpoint source programs of the state soil and water conservation board, TNRCC, EPA and Extension; new TNRCC regulations; and national perspectives on water quality programs.

Those wishing to attend the three-day projects review should register in advance by telephoning Harris at College Station, telephone (979) 845-2425, so that tour transportation can be arranged. Registration fees, which may be paid at the conference, are $10 for one day, $15 for two days excluding the tour, or $25 for all three days including the tour.

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