Scott Hartl

The meeting covered several key agenda items. The group reviewed and approved the minutes from the January 28, 2019 meeting. Discussion included nominations for new voting members representing various sectors. The Texas Water Development Board provided a briefing on 2019 Texas Legislative Bills related to State and Regional Water Planning and Flood Planning, including the impact of Hurricane Harvey, and educational materials regarding water planning and project prioritization. Authorization was granted to amend and execute the regional water planning contract with TWDB to secure additional funding. AECOM provided updates on the project status and timeline, and the group was asked to review draft Chapters 1-4 of the regional water plan. Updates were also given on various strategy evaluations, such as Municipal Drought Management and Conservation. Finally, the group voted not to proceed with a MAG Peak Factor request.

The Clean Rivers Program Annual Meeting focused on sharing water quality information and obtaining guidance on Clean Rivers Program resource allocation from basin stakeholders. Key discussions included an update on the Texas Clean Rivers Program, current water sampling schedules, and monitoring sites. Specific projects reviewed were the 24-hour dissolved oxygen study for Segment 1602 and the Lavaca River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), which aims to lower bacteria counts through the implementation of Best Management Practices. Additionally, an update was provided on the Lavaca Bacteriological Source Study utilizing next generation sequencing. The success of the recent Lavaca River Cleanup event and the basin's recycling program were also noted. A presentation was made regarding the proper disposal of household chemicals.

Key discussions during the meeting centered on updates from Black and Veatch regarding progress since the last meeting, including edits made to Chapter 8 of the plan and ongoing DB27 Data Entry. Major actions included the adoption of the Lavaca Regional Water Planning Group Initially Prepared Plan (IPP), authorizing Black & Veatch to finalize non-substantive edits and submit the deliverables package to the Texas Water Development Board by the March 3, 2025 deadline. The Group also scheduled a public hearing for May 15, 2025, to present the IPP and receive public comments, and authorized the Lavaca Navidad River Authority (LNRA) to prepare and mail the required notices. The Group tentatively scheduled a future meeting for August 2025.

Key discussions during the meeting included the review of nominations for voting members, where two vacancies remain for Lavaca County Small Business and Jackson County Water Utilities. The Texas Water Development Board provided a briefing on the Socioeconomic Impacts of Projected Water Shortages for the LRWP Area and RWPG Boundaries. Black and Veatch provided an update on the Region P Schedule, noting progress on the public hearing held on May 15, 2025, incorporating feedback from TWDB and TPWD, and updating the plan documents. The group subsequently approved the proposed responses to comments received from the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The meeting included a review of the Lavaca Navidad River Authority Office Complex location. Discussions focused on the required nominations for new voting members representing Lavaca County, Small Business, Agriculture, and Jackson County, Counties. A briefing was provided on the LNRA Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), including Drought Response Measures and Response Stages. Updates from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) covered Soci-Economic Impact Analysis Reports, a new interactive data dashboard, and legislative updates, including bills relevant to regional water planning. The Group also addressed the TWDB Interregional Planning Council mandated by HB 807, nominating a representative. AECOM provided an update on the project status and timeline. The Group reviewed and discussed draft Water Management Strategy Evaluations, such as Municipal Drought Management, Conservation for Manufacturing, and the proposed Palmetto Bend Stage II Reservoir, which was designated as a unique reservoir site.