Rep.Harris looks to protect East Texas water rights

AUSTIN – Continuing the fight against Red Town Ranch holdings’ production permit for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells in Anderson County, Texas, lawmakers are gearing up to hear from experts at Tuesday’s natural resources committee meeting in Austin.

According to our news partner KETK, during the meeting, Harris said he and several Texas lawmakers will hear from over 30 expert witnesses, including industry leaders and local officials, about how this will impact East Texas and its main water supply. Other Texas lawmakers have already shown their support for Harris and his effort to protect the East Texas water supply. State Representative Jay Dean of Longview said in a statement he’s ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Harris and the rest of East Texas. Meanwhile, state representative Daniel Alders of Tyler said he’s ready to dive deeper into protections that already exist.

Harris said after the committee meeting, he plans to speak to Governor Greg Abbott’s team about future legislation, and to ask if it can be added to the upcoming special session, all in the fight to protect the livelihood of East Texans now and in the future.

Harris said this is where the majority of East Texans get their drinking water. The permits have caused immense community backlash, which led him to call for the committee meeting.

“Somebody who isn’t from here wants to come in, put in dozens of water wells that pump 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ship that water out to some other area of the state, all for his own profit,” Harris said.

“My intention is to identify what legislation at the state level needs to change through this hearing,” Harris said.

“There are areas where we need to continue to look and see, do we have the laws in place, the regulations in place to protect those vital resources,” state Rep. Daniel Alders (R) of Tyler said.