areas of the state. In addition, the population vegetation and soil surface directly affects the of Texas is expected to double by the year 2050, amount of water evaporated and transpired and water use by municipalities and industry will back to the atmosphere. In some cases altering increase. Everyone will be affected by this the vegetation canopy, structure, and species competition for the limited surface and composition will reduce this loss thus making Major Rangeland Watershed Issues groundwater resources. The occurence of more water available at the soil surface. In Affecting Texans droughts magnify the scope of these issues and addition, some plant species utilize larger problems we face, including potential changes in quantities of water at different times of the Water for Texans Series water law and private and public property rights. year, i.e., evergreen woody vegetation utilizes RLEM No. 3 September 1998 Issues concerning the allocation and use of this limited resource will become more common. K. Brian Hays and Brandon J. Leister, Larry D. White and Barron S. Rector, and Robert W. Knight (respectively Extension Assistants-Water Conservation, Extension Range Specialists, Senate Bill 1 was passed by the Texas Legislature and Associate Department Head, Department of Rangeland in 1997 to address the development and Ecology and Management) management of the water resources of the state. This bill provides a framework for the Texas rangelands are the major source of water management of water resources, including for human use in Texas. Traditionally, Texas drought planning, water rights regulation, rangelands have been managed for wildlife, financial and technical assistance and data livestock, and environmental benefits. These collection (Legislative Budget Board, Fiscal traditional uses have not emphasized the Note, May 30, 1997). Sixteen regional citizen water year round compared to grasses that are management of rangelands for providing water water planning groups have been organized to for Texans. The current and future demand for seasonally dormant. Management of the implement planning and management of the vegetation at the soil surface largely determines water is changing the way we will manage our water resouces of Texas. range watersheds. Maximizing rangeland the amount of infiltration versus runoff, and sediment and nutrient production, as nonpoint products such as livestock, wildlife, and water How we manage and what we manage our cannot be achieved simultaneously. source (NPS) pollution. Senate Bill 1 may rangeland watersheds for will play a major role provide cost share programs for landowners to in our current and future water planning efforts. Why should citizens be concerned about control brush to increase water yields from Management decisions will affect water quantity Texas rangelands. conserving water, the water supply, and of surface flow and groundwater recharge, managing rangeland in Texas? Only now when water quality, wetlands, endangered species, Water Quality the demand for water has exceeded the available riparian zones, and instream and estuary flows. supply, has water become a critical issue in this The quality of water entering streams and aquifers, from rangelands, are of major concern state. Growth, competition for water supplies, Water Quantity environmental impacts, and cost of to the citizens of Texas. In general, rangelands The amount of water available to Texans is have significantly lower nutrient and pesticide infrastructure development are just a few of the directly related to the amount and intensity of factors that will affect management decisions. losses (below EPA standards for water quality) rainfall. In years of above normal rainfall, water compared to other land uses. Sediment not retained in the soil profile either runs off Water use in Texas already exceeds the production however can produce significant into streams and rivers or percolates to recharge detrimental effects on surface waters of the dependable renewable water supply in many groundwater supplies. Management of the state. Sediment accumulation is decreasing the from surface flow before it enters streams, lakes, Adequate instream flows of quality water are water holding capacity of many reservoirs and and esturaries) and critical habitat for many essential for aquatic and riparian endangered altering stream flow. High runoff rates, indigenous and migrating wildlife species. species. Terrestrial species can be adversely associated with inadequate vegetative cover, These land resource areas are much more affected by altering vegetation composition and increase the force of water in stream channels productive than an equivalent amount of structure in their critical habitat. A potential resulting in increased streambank erosion and adjacent upland. Overgrazing, clearing, conflict exists with efforts to increase water down stream flooding. development, etc. of these areas: 1) increases quantity and quality for Texans in areas where their vulnerability to the erosive force of water, these species occur. 2) increases loss of organic matter in soils, 3) reduces water storage capacity, Instream and Esturary Flows 4) increases stream water temperature, Water flowing into streams and estuaries must 5) encourages invasion of undesirable plants, be maintained at minimal levels and quality to 6) accelerates runoff, and 7) reduces filtration protect these important natural resources. of sediment necessary for wetland and riparian Sufficient inflow of freshwater is necessary for zone maintenance. These things typically the protection and maintenance of Texas result in loss of livestock forage, reduced esturaries. Esturaries play a vital role in the life numbers of fish and wildlife, degraded water cycle of the States marine fisheries. quality, reduced property value, and frequently cause serious property damage (Livestock Current /Future Rangeland Management Many stream sections and lakes in Texas are Grazing on Western Riparian Areas, July 1993, Current and future management to provide classified as impaired water bodies which require EPA, Denver, Colorado). multiple benefits from rangeland watersheds will the development of TMDLs (Total Maximim need to maintain healthy rangeland ecosystems Daily Loads). A TMDL is a technical term Endangered Species with diverse native plant and animal meaning the amount of pollution a water body Both terrestrial and aquatic endangered species populations, soil integrity, and stable hydrologic can receive and still meet standards for its require specific habitats that are affected by function. Water production from rangeland can intended uses. After a TMDL is developed for rangeland watershed management. Adequate not be increased indefinitely without significant a specific watershed, a watershed action plan groundwater supplies that result in spring flow degradation of the resource. Other water will be developed and implemented to address are essential for some species, e.g., the Fountain sources may be required to meet future NPS loadings from urban areas, construction Darter in Comal Springs. demands. Texans must learn to conserve water sites and from agricultural and silvicultural on the landscape, in homes, and municipalities. operations. Currently, identified water pollution problems can result in agency action which Visit our website at http://texnat.tamu.edu requires landowner remediation. Many Texas Support provided by TAEX, Extension Water Supply and municipalities are required to develop and Conservation Initiative and Renewable Resource Extension Act. implement storm water management plans. Educational programs of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. Wetlands/Riparian Zones Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Wetlands and riparian zones are important Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of vegetation types that serve as filter strips May 8, 1914, as amended, June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward A. (remove nutrients, sediment, and pesticides Hiler, Director, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.