WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott has made investment in water infrastructure an emergency item for the 89th Texas Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas faces significant and growing challenges related to water supply and management due to population growth, prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, and increasing demand from agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors; and
WHEREAS, legislative action is essential to address these challenges through investments in water infrastructure, conservation programs, innovative technologies, and water management practices that balance the needs of urban and rural communities; and
WHEREAS, reservoirs result in significant environmental degradation, including the loss of natural habitats, disruption of river ecosystems, and the submersion of prime agricultural land, and
WHEREAS, the construction and maintenance of reservoirs involve substantial economic costs, lengthy timelines, and the displacement of communities, while their benefits diminish over time due to sedimentation, evaporation losses, and reduced capacity; and
WHEREAS, prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns render reservoirs less reliable as a consistent water supply, as evidenced by historically low levels in Texas reservoirs such as Lake Travis and Medina Lake; and
WHEREAS, modern technological advancements – such as water recycling, desalination, rainwater harvesting, and floodplain recapture – offer more efficient, adaptable, and localized solutions to address water scarcity without the extensive drawbacks of reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, the right to own and control private property is a fundamental principle of individual liberty and economic freedom, enshrined in the Constitution, and protected by law, and is a fundamental principle of the Republican Party of Texas; and
WHEREAS, federal mitigation requirements for reservoir projects are a blatant example of federal government overreach, transferring up to an additional ten acres of mitigation land per one acre of reservoir; and
WHEREAS, the construction of reservoirs and related federal mitigation projects involve the forced acquisition of private land, displacing Texas families, businesses, and communities, and disrupting local economies; and
WHEREAS, such projects frequently prioritize federal or corporate interests over the needs and desires of local residents, undermining individual sovereignty and Republican principles; and
WHEREAS, the environmental impact of reservoirs, including the destruction of ecosystems, loss of agricultural land, and alteration of natural water flows, often outweighs the purported benefits of water storage and mitigation efforts; and
WHEREAS, alternative solutions – such as improved infrastructure, conservation measures, and innovative water management solutions – can address public needs without resorting to the seizure of private property; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas opposes the use of eminent domain for the construction of reservoirs and federal mitigation projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon local, state, and federal officials to prioritize the protection of private property rights and to seek voluntary, market-based agreements with landowners rather than coercive measures; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the Texas Legislature to explore and implement alternative strategies that solve Texas’ water issues, without sacrificing the livelihoods, homes, and heritage of our Texas citizens; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, state legislators, and congressional representatives.
