For Immediate Release: March 22, 2011
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-469-0171
Austin, Texas – The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) applauded the Senate Natural Resources Committee today for passing SB 332, a bill that recognizes that a landowner has a vested ownership interest in the groundwater below the surface as an interest in the landowner’s real property .The bill will now make its way to the Senate floor for a vote.
SB 332, introduced by Chairman Troy Fraser, amends the Texas Water Code by clarifying that landowners have a vested ownership interest in the groundwater below their land. SB 332 also recognizes the current authority of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs).
“For more than a century landowners have owned the groundwater below their land and it is important that the Legislature recognize this vested ownership interest,” said Dave Scott, rancher and TSCRA president. “SB 332 reaffirms this vested ownership interest while recognizing the current authority of groundwater conservation districts.”
Landowner groups across the state have worked diligently to ensure SB 332 becomes law,” said Scott. “TSCRA applauds the work of Chairman Fraser and the rest of the committee, and we look forward to getting this bill out of the Senate soon.”
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 134-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
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