Writers: Judy Tolk, (806) 356-5736, jtolk@ag.gov;
Pam Dillard, (806) 359-5401, p-dillard@tamu.edu
Contact: Steve Evett, (806) 456-5775; srevett@ag.gov
AMARILLO — “Water in the 21st Century: Rights and Realities” will be the theme of the 32nd annual state meeting of the Texas Council of Chapters, Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), to be held here June 17-19.
“We have opened the technical tour and session to non-society members, with separate registration fees, because this is a timely topic and many individuals may like to attend,” said Steve Evett, president of the Golden Spread Chapter of SWCS, which is sponsoring the event. SWCS members and non-members from Oklahoma and New Mexico have also been invited.
The day-long technical session June 18 at the Radisson Inn begins at 8:30 a.m. and features 10 speakers from throughout the state. Exhibits from state and local sponsors will also be on display.
The future of water use from the Edwards aquifer will be discussed by Gregory Ellis, general manager of the Edwards Aquifer in San Antonio. The future of the Ogallala aquifer will be examined by Dr. Lloyd Urban, director of the Water Resources Center in Lubbock. John C. Williams, general manager of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority in Sanford, will talk about future water use from Lake Meredith.
Regional water supply planning will be the topic of Comer Tuck, regional planning team leader of Texas Water Development Board in Austin. George Bomar of the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission in Austin will discuss weather modification projects throughout the state. Gale Henslee, environmental projects director at New Century Services in Amarillo, will talk about his company’s use of Amarillo’s waste water.
The future for irrigation will be examined by Dr. Ron Lacewell, assistant vice chancellor at Texas A&M University in College Station. The impact on the Texas economy of conversion to dryland farming will be evaluated by Dr. Steve Amossen, agricultural economist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in Amarillo. Marketing water rights also will be discussed.
Five continuing education units (CEUs) in certified crop adviser soil and water management may be earned by attending the technical session.
The keynote address, “Is the glass half full or half empty?,” will be given at noon by Dr. Wayne Jordan, director of the Texas Water Resources Center at Texas A&M in College Station.
The technical tour on June 17 will focus on equipment and techniques for managing water resources for crop production, and will be at the USDA Agricultural Research Service at Bushland west of Amarillo. Tour participants will see the world-class evapotranspiration facilities, where very accurate measurements of water loss are made so that cropping systems and various production strategies can be evaluated.
Other tour stops will show the latest technology in center-pivot irrigation, including above- and within-canopy sprinklers and LEPA (low-energy precision application) as well as subsurface and surface drip irrigation systems. Participants will see an 8-span center pivot using sprinkler management methods to reduce or control plant diseases, and dryland water management systems. Two certified crop adviser CEUs in soil and water management may be earned by attending the tour.
Registration for the technical tour only is $5. Registration for the technical session only is $35. Any registrations that include lunch at the technical session must be made by June 12. For more information call Carole Perryman at (806) 356-5749, or e- mail cperryma@ag.gov. Full details can also be obtained from the World Wide Web at http://www.cprl.ars.usda.gov/programs/swcs.htm.
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