JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF CITIZENS STANDING
FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS AND WATER PROTECTION
The most effective way to create change is to
call your state legilsators.
RECAP:
Texas law allows private companies to use the power of Eminent Domain to take land without proving that it will be used for the public good.
Because Eminent Domain laws are complicated and often require specialized lawyers to successfully litigate (as with the Trans Pecos Pipeline), it is necessary to pass legislation protecting regular Texans and their land.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will likely talk to a legislative staffer who will take your name, opinion and relay that information for your representative.
WHAT TO SAY:
Hello, my Name is ________ .
I’m calling with concern of private companies misuse of eminent domain to take private property without proof of public benefit. No private company should be able to take property from a Texas citizen until legal proof is shown that the pipeline or the infrastructure project will be for substantial public use.
I would like for legislation to be passed that assures landowners are given due process and fair compensation before a company is entitled to seize private land for commercial purposes. It is necessary to pass legislation protecting regular Texans and their land and to ensure the law is balanced.
Thank you for your time.
RECAP:
Water use in West Texas, the most arid part of the state, has risen six-fold since the start of the shale oil boom, from 5 billion gallons in 2011 to almost 30 billion gallons in 2016. Energy researchers predict that demand will double by the end of this year to 60 billion gallons and more than triple by 2020 to almost 100 billion gallons of water. Currently, oil and gas wells are exempt from permitting.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will likely talk to a legislative staffer who will take your name, opinion and relay that information for your representative.
WHAT TO SAY:
Hello, my name is ___________. I am calling with concern of water protection in West Texas. As it stands, one landowner is able to obtain a permit for the extraction of six-thousand acre-feet, or 2 billion gallons, which is enough water to supply a town of 40,000 people for one year. This gives one property owner’s right above all other users.
I would like for you to enact legislation that allows groundwater districts to oversee and protect the hydrological resources and community’s wells without threat of litigation from water marketers. In consideration of West Texas’ arid desert climate, the region is in need of robust groundwater conservation districts as local, common sense managers of this vitalresource.
Please introduce and support legislation to provide statutory protections for and increase the authority of local groundwater districts.
Thank you for your time and service.
Representative Lyle Larson
(The House Natural Resource Committee)
Trans Pecos is a project of Wolf Bird Productions, fiscally sponsored by Planetwork NGO, Inc. A California 501c3 non-profit educational organization.
All donations are tax-deductible.
For check donations, please make them payable to: Planetwork NGO, Inc.
Sent to: Planetwork NGO, Inc.
c/o Anee Schneeman
39 Billou Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
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