Texas landowner groups have joined forces in an effort to ensure that groundwater continues to be recognized as a vested, real private property right. The groups will host an educational forum Sept. 22, at the Producers Cooperative in Bryan from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The forums aim to help the public understand current groundwater ownership issues. 

 The growing effort, currently supported by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA); the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA); the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB); the Texas Poultry Federation (TPF); the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA); the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA); the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA); the Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD); the South Texans' Property Rights Association (STPRA); the Riverside and Landowners Protection Coalition; and the Texas Land and Mineral Owners Association (TLMA), brings together more than 400,000 Texans who own more than 50 million acres of private property.

 According to estimates by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), by 2060 Texas' population will more than double, increasing its water demand by 27 percent. Because groundwater from Texas aquifers supplies more than half the water for the state, it is critical that groundwater resources be managed to provide for current and future use.

 Each forum will cover various groundwater topics including the current groundwater regulation under the Texas Water Code, legal issues surrounding groundwater, and why groundwater conservation is important not only to private property owners in Texas, but also to Texas communities.

 Forums are free and open to the public. The Producers Cooperative is located at 1800 N. Texas Avenue in Bryan.