For more than a century, rice farming has shaped the economy, environment and communities of the Texas Coastal plains. Here, along the banks of the Colorado River, families are stewards of the river.

Rice farming draws on Colorado River water to create a:

• Safe, abundant and nutritious source of food
• Source of jobs
• Wetlands habitat for waterfowl and migrating birds
• Multi-generational agrarian tradition and legacy

The Colorado Water Issues Committee was founded to protect this tradition.

Watch our “More Than Rice” video and check out our other Resources.

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News

• In major water case, win for farmers is loss for cities – February 19, 2016 – Texas Tribune – Read More
• LCRA releases new plan to conserve water – February 18, 2016 – Austin Monitor – Read More
• State officials approve Central Texas-friendly water management plan – November 4, 2015 – Austin American-Statesman – Read More
• New plan would lessen LCRA obligation to release Highland Lakes water – November 3, 2015 – Austin American-Statesman – Read More
• USA Rice-DU Stewardship Partnership Texas Reservoir Project Clears First Hurdle – USA Rice – Read More
• With Cuba relations thawing, rice farmers look for trade - August 14, 2015 - Austin American-Statesman - Read More
• State approves withholding of reservoirs' water for farmers for 2015 - July 1, 2015 - Austin American-Statesman - Read More
• LCRA gets approval to keep water from being released downstream - June 30, 2015 - KXAN - Read More
• CWIC urges TCEQ to revise Findings of Fact in LCRA Emergency Order cutting off irrigation water (PDF) (June 30, 2015) Read More
• Disappearing habitat: As water and land management change in the Texas Mid-Coast, waterfowl feel the effects – Summer 2015 – TX H20 Texas Water Resources Institute magazine – Read More
• New rice-focused conservation program set to launch this year – Spring 2015 – USA Rice’s Whole Grain – Read More
• Reservoir project in rice country gets financial assist - Sept. 4, 2014 - Houston Chronicle - Read More
• CWIC Welcomes Lower Colorado River Basin Coalition
  
  CWIC welcomes the recent creation of the Lower Colorado River Basin Coalition, which works for a fair and balanced approach to water management for all parties under all conditions.
  
  Special thanks to Kirby Brown of Ducks Unlimited for his remarkable job in pulling together a wide range of interests into this coalition.
  
  Learn more…

NEWS RELEASES

• CWIC asks for contested case hearing of Emergency Order on irrigation water unless it is modified or rejected by TCEQ – (PDF – Feb. 10, 2014)
• Rice farmers denounce recommendation to cut off irrigation water for 3rd year in a row (PDF – Jan. 27, 2014)
• More news releases from CWIC

APPEALS FOR FAIR ALLOCATION OF COLORADO RIVER WATER

• Lower Colorado River Basin Coalition Letter to TCEQ – Feb. 26, 2014
• Brink Grimes Letter to TCEQ – Feb. 9, 2014
• Ducks Unlimited Letter to TCEQ – Feb. 5, 2014
• Wharton County Chamber of Commerce Call to Action – Feb. 4, 2014
• Rep. Bonnen Letter to TCEQ – Feb. 4, 2014
• More resolutions, letters, and appeals

MEDIA COVERAGE OF CWIC

• New plan would lessen LCRA obligation to release Highland Lakes water – November 3, 2015 – Austin American-Statesman – Read More
• State officials approve Central Texas-friendly water management plan – November 4, 2015 – Austin American-Statesman – Read More
• With Cuba relations thawing, rice farmers look for trade – August 14, 2015 – Austin American-Statesman – Read More
• Disappearing habitat: As water and land management change in the Texas Mid-Coast, waterfowl feel the effects – Summer 2015 – TX H20 Texas Water Resources Institute magazine – Read More
• LCRA gets OK to keep water from being released downstream – July 1, 2015 – KXAN – Read More
• Proposed change in water rules would benefit lakeside interests – Austin American Statesman, Oct. 21, 2014 – Read More
• Texas’ water planning: Opportunity and responsibility – Austin American Statesman, Sept. 17, 2014 – Read More
• During drought, once mighty Texas rice belt fades away – State Impact, August 12, 2014 – Read More
• Texas water authority increases rates to make up for less water sold during drought – Bloomberg BNA, June 19, 2014 – read More
• Water woes: Trickle-down effect – Denton Record-Chronicle, May 11, 2014 – Read More
• More media coverage of CWIC