Introduction:
In 1991 the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean Rivers Act in response to growing concerns that water resource issues were not being addressed in a holistic manner. This legislation requires that water quality assessments be conducted for each river basin in Texas using an approach that integrates water quality issues within a river basin or watershed. To fund the program, the TCEQ assesses a fee from permit holders for water use and wastewater discharges.

The TCEQ implements the Program by contracting with 15 partner agencies, including the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority and 11 other river authorities, one water district, one federal agency, and one council of government, to conduct water quality monitoring and assessments in the 23 river and coastal basins of Texas. Each river or coastal basin is assigned to one of the designated partner agencies. The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) is responsible for Basin 16, the Lavaca Basin.

How does the public participate:
The Texas Clean Rivers Act established a way for the citizens of Texas to participate in building the foundation for effective statewide watershed planning activities. Each CRP partner agency has established a steering committee to set priorities within its basin and to allow local concerns to be addressed and regional solutions to be implemented.

The Lavaca Basin Steering Committee:
LNRA works with the Lavaca Basin Steering Committee to seek public input, disseminate water quality information, and set priorities for water quality monitoring in the Lavaca Basin. Membership in the Committee is open to staff from state and local governments, private landowners, representatives of industry and agriculture, and interested individuals. Anyone interested in participating as a member of the Steering Committee may contact the offices of LNRA and speak to General Manager, Patrick Brzozowski or Water Quality personnel, Sylvia Balentine or Chad Kinsfather. Contact information follows:

The Lavaca Basin Steering Committee provides guidance on the use of resources from the Clean Rivers Program. The Steering Committee allows LNRA to gain insight from local stakeholders and expertise from such members as Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the County Agricultural Extension Service. Input from the Committee allows LNRA to prioritize water quality issues and to determine the most effective water quality monitoring program. TCEQ Website

In 2003 the Major Rivers water education program for Texas fourth grade students was revised and improved to better correlate with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The characters of Major Rivers and his horse Aquifer are designed to help elementary school children learn about Texas’ major water resources including: how water is treated and delivered to their homes and schools, how to care for water resources, and how to use them wisely. The educational program includes a variety of activities in science, math, language arts, and social studies. The teacher package includes a full classroom set of instructional materials including student workbooks, pre-and post-test sheets, home information leaflets, color overhead transparencies, and an introductory video. The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA) provides learning materials to schools in the Lavaca Basin interested in teaching this program.

Please contact Sylvia Balentine at (361) 782-5229 or via e-mail sbalentine@LNRA.org for further information or to receive educational materials from LNRA.