A Resolution to Protect Texas Water Resources, Preserve Basin - of - Origin Integrity, Safeguard Groundwater, and Defend Agricultural and Private Property Rights

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Red River County Executive Committee urges the State of Texas to preserve and protect surface water and groundwater resources within their basin - of - origin and to prevent large - scale water export and inter - basin transfer projects that undermine local water security, agriculture, and rural communities, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature declares and establishes the following principles:

1. Prohibition on New Inter - basin Water Export Infrastructure:
   Consistent with Texas Water Code §11.085, the State shall prohibit authorization, permitting, or public funding of any new reservoir, pipeline, conveyance system, or water infrastructure that enables the large - scale diversion or export of surface water or groundwater from its basin - of - origin for use outside that basin.

2. Basin - of - Origin Consent Requirement:

Inter - basin transfers of surface water may be authorized only with express consent of the basin - of - origin through public vote or formal resolution after notice and public hearing, with consent not implied or presumed.

3. Preservation of Existing Rights:
   Nothing in this resolution shall impair vested water rights under Texas Water Code Chapter 11 or existing lawful transfers; however, no new reservoir may be authorized nor may any non - operational existing reservoir be expanded for inter - basin transfers as of the effective date of implementing legislation.

4. Groundwater Protection and Local Control:
   Any proposed inter - basin transfer or large - scale groundwater diversion shall require express written consent of each affected groundwater conservation district under Texas Water Code §§36.0015 and 36.113 following notice and hearing. No such transfer may be authorized if it would result in aquifer depletion, reduced well production, land subsidence, degraded water quality, or material impairment of agricultural, ranching, or livestock operations.

5. Limitation on Eminent Domain:
   No water export or inter - basin transfer project subject to this policy may rely upon or exercise eminent domain for the acquisition of private property, consistent with constitutional protections, including Article I, Section 17.

6. Protection of Agriculture and Rural Communities:
   Projects that would materially impair present or future water availability, agricultural production, or economic stability within the basin - of - origin shall be prohibited.

7. Uniform Statewide Application:
   These policies shall apply equally to all entities, including river authorities, political subdivisions, state agencies, regional planning groups under Texas Water Code Chapter 16, and groundwater conservation districts.

8. Prospective Application:
   These policies shall apply prospectively and shall not impair vested water rights or contracts lawfully existing prior to the effective date of implementing legislation.

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature directs relevant state agencies, including the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), to conform future planning, permitting, and funding decisions to the policies set forth herein and to the requirements of the Texas Constitution, Water Code, and applicable caselaw.

   BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Red River County Executive Committee hereby adopts this resolution and copies be forwarded to the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC), the Republican Party of Texas, and to all Republican members of the Texas Legislature.