• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Member Center
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Instructions
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Texas cattle raisers fight to protect water rights in Texas Supreme Court briefing

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association today filed an amicus curiae brief with the Texas Supreme Court in the case of Pape Partners v. DRR Family Properties. The brief, available here, asks that the state’s highest court consider the matter and reverse a previous decision by Texas’ 10th Court of Appeals in Waco.

The heart of the case is who has jurisdiction to decide disputes over ownership of water rights, the court system or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). In 2020, the Court of Appeals ruled that TCEQ has exclusive jurisdiction to decide questions over ownership of water rights, and disputes must go through the agency’s administrative process. This ruling, however, has been widely criticized for reversing longstanding precedent on how water rights are considered, interpreted and protected.

Along with numerous other concerns, water rights advocates are united in their belief that TCEQ does not have the jurisdiction suggested by the appeals court. TCEQ agrees, stating in their own legal brief, “the Commission’s authority does not extend to adjudicating private disputes simply because they involve water rights.”

Cattle producers are on the front lines of the battle to maintain water ownership rights.

“Access to water is an essential part of raising cattle, both to sustain the livestock themselves and the pastures they graze upon, making water ownership one of our most important property rights,” said Arthur Uhl, first vice president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. “Texas cattle producers need clarity and consistency when disputes arise, which is something only the court system can offer.

“Texas has a long history of protecting private ownership of surface and groundwater. The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association will continue to fight in the legislature and in the courts to ensure Texans never lose this precious right and resource.”

###

Written by:
Jeremy Fuchs
Published on:
November 18, 2021

Categories: Issues & Policy, Natural Resources, News Releases

Recent Posts

Crime Watch: Polaris Ranger stolen near Sour Lake

January 26, 2023

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Mike Boone, District 23 in East …

Continue Reading about Crime Watch: Polaris Ranger stolen near Sour Lake

Cow-calf Corner: Raising the orphan calf

January 25, 2023

Rosslyn Biggs, Oklahoma State University State Extension Beef Veterinarian Raising an orphaned …

Continue Reading about Cow-calf Corner: Raising the orphan calf

Texas crop progress and condition for Jan. 23

January 24, 2023

Most of the state received less than an inch of precipitation this week with areas of the Upper …

Continue Reading about Texas crop progress and condition for Jan. 23

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE