Texas Forestry Association (TFA), the trade association for forestry in the State of Texas, has announced opposition to the construction and the funding of water impoundments in East Texas, unless certain actions are met.

On July 11, the TFA Executive Committee adopted a resolution stating that 'unless such projects have been adequately justified and are supported by the agricultural communities in the affected rural communities,' then they should not be considered.

Timber is the third largest agricultural crop in the state, and first in East Texas. "The loss of valuable timberlands and the land base that supports a key renewable natural resource for Texas will be substantially eliminated should portions of East Texas be taken to supply water for other parts of the State," said Eric Watson, President of the Texas Forestry Association. "TFA recognizes the seriousness of the future demands on our state's water resources and we certainly applaud the efforts of the regional state water planning groups and the State Water Development Board in developing a long-range water plan that would encompass water conservation and other measures to ensure that the state's water needs are met in the future," Watson continued. "However, not only will Texas lose the future production due to the loss of land base, but habitat and other environmental benefits will be diminished with the loss of valuable hardwood and property taxes will decrease considerably due to taxes currently paid on privately owned lands."

TFA encourages the state to study other sources of water supply emphasizing conservation measures in lieu of future water impoundments. "TFA takes the position that the state should investigate every possible means and alternatives of water management before any timberlands are taken out of production to build new reservoirs," said Mike Harbordt, Chairman of TFA's Water Task Force. "According to the Texas Water Development Board Report, Water for Texas 2002, the state must support research and tax incentive programs that focus on desalination or other creative projects in meeting the future water needs of Texas, as well as consider imposing water conservation and rate structure measures in areas of the state which require the water," Harbordt added.

TFA also opposes taking agricultural and forested land out of production for mitigation purposes. "Using agricultural and forested land for mitigation lands would further decrease the number of acres of production and therefore have the potential for crippling and destroying local economies, businesses and private landowners," Watson said. TFA supports changes or legally viable interpretations to federal and state mitigation laws that would allow and encourage the continued management of these lands for agricultural and silvicultural purposes.

TFA members are working with Regional Water Development Groups of the Texas Water Development Board to search and review options and seek understanding by the Texas State Water Development Board.

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