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Brazos River Authority renews interlocal fisheries‑habitat agreement with Texas Parks and Wildlife
Summary
The BRA board authorized the general manager to execute a new interlocal agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to continue installing artificial fish habitat structures on BRA system reservoirs; the partnership runs on five‑year intervals and is funded at about $15,000 per year by BRA.
The Brazos River Authority board on Friday authorized the general manager/CEO to sign an interlocal agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to continue reservoir fisheries habitat improvement projects on BRA reservoirs.
Tiffany Malzahn, BRA’s chief environmental officer, summarized the partnership, saying it originated from water‑management planning after the 2011 drought and that the program installs artificial habitat structures in deeper water so fish have cover and nursery habitat during prolonged low‑water periods. She said the first installations began in 2016 and the partnership agreement was renewed in 2020; the agreements typically last five years and the current agreement is expiring.
The nut graf: Staff recommended entering a new five‑year interlocal agreement with TPWD, noting the partnership supports the BRA water management plan and a strategic plan objective to protect water resources; BRA’s contribution is roughly $15,000 per year while TPWD handles purchasing and installation.
Malzahn showed photos of Lake Procter during full pool, near operational thresholds and at historic low levels to illustrate the habitat loss risk during droughts. She said that TPWD fisheries biologists collaborate with BRA staff to develop reservoir‑specific strategies and that the program includes an interactive public map documenting installed structures.
The board adopted a resolution authorizing the general manager to execute the interlocal agreement. The motion was made by Director Wilson and seconded by Jen Henderson and passed on a roll call vote with directors present voting yes.
