Danielle Goshen testifying on SB1648 to Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Danielle Goshen, Policy Specialist/Counsel for the National Wildlife Federation's Texas Coast and Water Program, testifies on SB1648 to the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs on April 13, 2023.
Danielle notes that in the Committee Substitute for SB 1648, funding for conservation easements and local parks, as well as projects focused on water resources has been removed from the bill - leaving only funding for state park acquisition.
Funding for conservation easements are purely voluntary, and allow landowners to continue to use their land as they currently do - while providing an important public benefit. Importantly, this conservation tool helps to protect our natural resources while maintaining our state’s strong commitment to private property rights. Expansion of local parks is also needed in the state, not only for increased recreational opportunities and park access, but also to provide multiple benefits to communities across Texas such as improved air and water quality. Lastly, funding for projects to conserve and enhance water resources would help keep water in our rivers, lakes, streams, and bays - providing much needed enhancement of fisheries, water quality, habitat, and recreation.
In summary, Danielle reiterates that conservation easements, local parks, and water projects are all vital components of SB 1648 and should not be taken out of the bill.
It should be noted that Senator Kolkhorst’s SB 2485, creating the Land and Water Conservation Fund, would provide funding for all of these important items, and has broad support from stakeholders, including the National Wildlife Federation. In fact, dozens of wildlife, water resource, agriculture, conservation, and outdoor recreation advocates registered and testified in support for this bill last week - which would make historic investments in the conservation and preservation of land and water resources across Texas.