2013 NGWA Summit — The National and International Conference on Groundwater

The Largest Transfer of Groundwater Rights in Texas History

Tuesday, April 30, 2013: 9:00 a.m.
Regency East 2/3 (Hyatt Regency San Antonio)
C.E. Williams, General, Manager, Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District
Marty Jones, Lawyer, Sprouse Shrader Smith Law Firm
Robert Harden, PE, R W Harden & Associates Inc.

Since 1995, a series of groundwater rights transfers has culminated in vast holdings of groundwater reserves for the City of Amarillo and the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority.  These transfers were made possible by numerous influences – long-term hydrologic factors, legal action, speculation by water marketing companies, support by private and corporate water rights owners, regulatory support and public sector action.  The transfers involved six private and public entities including Quixx Corporation, City of Amarillo, SAA Properties LP, Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, and Mesa Water, and included the participation of over 100 private landowners. This transfer of groundwater rights is a unique story in Texas history and is a prime example of municipalities securing long term, drought proof water supplies, landowners realizing the value of their property, and regulatory bodies recognizing and supporting the planning, securing, and transfer of valuable water rights.


C.E. Williams, General, Manager , Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District
General Manager PGCD since 1990 Grew up on family farm in Carson County, owned and managed farm and ranch operation prior to becoming G M of PGCD Member and Past President of: Groundwater Management Districts’ Association, Texas Water Conservation Association, and Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. Current Chairman of Panhandle Regional Planning Group – Region A Presiding Officer of Texas State Water Conservation Advisory Council Secretary/Treasurer of Texas Water Foundation Panhandle Regional Planning Commission’s Goodwin Regional Public Administrator Award 2002 Texas County Agricultural Agents Association “Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture - 2008.”


Marty Jones, Lawyer , Sprouse Shrader Smith Law Firm
Marty Jones is a lawyer specializing in groundwater issues.


Robert Harden, PE , R W Harden & Associates Inc.
Bob Harden is Vice President of R.W. Harden & Associates, Inc. Over the course of his career Bob has been involved in the discovery, acquisition, permitting, and development of new groundwater supplies for municipalities, water supply corporations, industry, and private landowners. Bob has a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and is a professional engineer in Texas, Mississippi, and Indiana.