Science Advisory Committee to the Study Commission on Environmental Flows

Advisory committee that serves as scientific advisors to the Study Commission regarding use of Texas' water resources.

Interim Report to 79th Legislature: Joint Committee on the Study Commission on Water for Environmental Flows (In PDF. Help with PDF.)
Final Report: Science Advisory Committee (In PDF)
About the Committee
List of Members
Work Plan (In PDF.)
Schedule of Meetings
Agendas and Minutes

About the Committee

In 2003, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1639 establishing the Study Commission on Water for Environmental Flows. The Study Commission was to "...conduct public hearings and study public policy implications for balancing the demands on the water resources of the state resulting from a growing population with the requirements of the riverine, bay, and estuary systems including granting permits for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows, use of the Texas Water Trust, and any other issues that the study commission determines have importance and relevance to the protection of environmental flows." To assist the with this effort, the legislation directed the Study Commission to appoint an advisory scientific committee to "...serve as impartial scientific advisors and reviewers for the study commission..."

The science advisory committee appointed by the Study Commission consists of nine members, with expertise in a variety of disciplines. It is anticipated the science advisory committee will review the hydrological conditions for the state's major river basins and estuaries, assess analytical procedures for identifying environmental flow needs, and respond to issues brought to them by the Study Commission.

List of Members

Dr. Robert J. Brandes, R.J. Brandes Company
Dr. B.L. Harris, Texas Water Resources Institute
Dr. Larry M. Hauck, TIAER, Tarleton State University
Mr. Clay J. Landry, Managing Director, WestWater Research LLC
Dr. Mitchell L. Mathis, Houston Advance Research Center
Dr. Paul A. Montagna, Marine Science Institute, University of Texas
Mr. Dwight K. Shellman, Jr.
Mr. Jeff Taylor, Deputy Director, Public Utility Division, Department of Public Works and Engineering, City of Houston
Dr. George H. Ward, Jr., University of Texas