Watershed Protection Plan - Lower Rio Grande Valley Development ...

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
criteria for construction of residential developments.
The TWDB maintains a centralized data bank of
information on the state’s natural resources, called
the Texas Natural Resources Information System, and
manages the Strategic Mapping Program, a Texasbased,
public and private sector cost-sharing program
designed to establish a consistent and updated
geographic information database, and to develop largescale
computerized maps of geographic features and
natural resources in Texas .
Local Entities and Programs
A number of regional and local entities are also
involved in the management of risk and natural
resources in the Arroyo Colorado watershed. Most of
these organizations are associated with water resource
management, fl ood control and navigation.
Drainage Districts
Drainage districts were fi rst authorized by the Texas
Legislature in 1905. The districts are organized for
the construction of canals, drains, ditches and levees.
The governing board is composed of commissioners
selected by the County Commissioners’ Court for fouryear
terms. The board has the authority to examine
levees, railroad culverts, ditches and other drainage
structures on land in or out of the district and can
acquire right-of-ways for the purpose of surveying or
drawing plans. The board can also call for construction
bids and awards contracts to the lowest bidders.
.
Six drainage districts are authorized within the Arroyo
Colorado watershed. There is one drainage district in
Hidalgo County, Hidalgo County Drainage District 1,
and fi ve drainage districts in Cameron County (Figure
26), including Cameron County Drainage Districts 1, 2,
3, 4 and 5.
and procedures to manage proper irrigation. Irrigation
districts can also exercise the right of eminent domain
in matters such as constructing canals, pump sites,
levees and drainage ditches. An irrigation district can
consist of part or all of one or more counties, including
a town or city, if the land is classifi ed as agricultural.
.
Eighteen irrigation districts exist within the Arroyo
Colorado watershed (Figure 27). Irrigation districts
are very important organizations in the Rio Grande
Valley and in the Arroyo Colorado Watershed. Over
985,000 acre-ft of water are conveyed and distributed
annually by irrigation districts in the Rio Grande
Valley, most of it for agricultural irrigation (Fipps 2000).
According to the Phase I TMDL study, agriculture is the
source of one half to two thirds of pollutants entering
the Arroyo Colorado. Effi ciency and effectiveness
in irrigation conveyance and practice is key to
successful implementation if the ACW Protection Plan.
Participation by the irrigation districts is essential in this
effort.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(SWCDs)
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are
independent political subdivisions of the State of
Texas. The districts promote conservation and the wise
and judicious use of renewable natural resources by
providing assistance to local farmers based on local
needs. SWCDs are governed by directors elected
by landowners in the district. The elected board of
Irrigation Districts
Irrigation districts were fi rst authorized by the Texas
Legislature in 1905. The law, however, was replaced
in 1913 by a new irrigation act. A board of directors of
three to fi ve members, constitutes the governing body.
The directors can determine the needed employees
Ditch draining to the Arroyo Colorado
Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan 70 January 2007