In this issue’s Q&A, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, interviews Kelly Keel, who was named Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in December.
Sections
talk+water: Scott Wright
In this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Scott Wright, Principal Engineer for the River Design Group, about the impact of dam removals in river restoration efforts.
talk+water: Shaina Shay
In this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with the Owner and Editor of The Water Report, Shaina Shay. The Water Report is a monthly publication that provides detailed and timely coverage of the innovations and decisions shaping our water future.
outlook+water: Big improvements in drought east of I-35, El Niño on the way out (and La Niña in the fall), and last year was the warmest on record
Summary: The amount of the state under drought conditions (D1–D4) decreased from five weeks ago at 39% to 23% this week, with drought improvements across much of the state. El Niño conditions have a 90% chance of extending through the February-March-April season, giving way to neutral conditions in April-May-June and greater odds of La Niña conditions in the fall. Last year was the warmest on record for Texas, a full 3.5 F warmer than the long-term average.
law+water: Nathan Vassar and Jake Steen
This month in law+water, we explore a multi-billion-dollar PFAS contamination settlement, new Texas legislation that tightens groundwater availability requirements for developers, and how the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Stakeholder Committee could provide a model for other groundwater conservation districts throughout the state.