Category Archives: Texas Water Wars

April 6, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Hello from sunny Kerrville!  I’ve been on the road this week, speaking at Extension meetings in Leon Springs and Kerrville as well as the Texas Bankers Association Ag and Rural Affairs Conference here at the YO Hotel in Kerrville.  Welcome to the new readers from those events. Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. *China announces proposed tariffs on US products, including agricultural exports.  The biggest ag story of the week has been China’s announcement that it plans to impose a 25% tariff on… Read More →

Unanimous US Supreme Court: United States Can Participate as Party in Texas v. New Mexico

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The United States will be allowed to participate as a party in the Texas v. New Mexico lawsuit before the United Stated Supreme Court, wrote Justice Gorsuch last week on behalf of a unanimous bench. Background We’ve been following Texas v. New Mexico for years.  To read a more detailed explanation of the merits of the lawsuit, click here. There are multiple agreements at issue in this litigation. First, what we will refer to as “the Treaty.”  In 1906, the United States entered into a treaty with Mexico, requiring the… Read More →

March 9, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  This week I had the chance to visit with the Dallas Ag Club for their monthly meeting on Monday.  On Tuesday, I moderated an immigration law panel at the High Plains Dairy Conference.  Welcome to those of you joining from those events! Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *US Supreme Court Allows US to Intervene in Texas v. New Mexico lawsuit. I’ll have a full blog post on this decision Monday, but those of you who are interested can… Read More →

January 26, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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I tell you what, it’s been a whirlwind of a week both for my travel schedule and for ag law news!  On Monday I spoke in Pampa at a program hosted by County Extension Agents Mike Jeffcoat, Michael Wilkes, and Jody Bradford.  Then on Tuesday, I headed to Lubbock for the Seeking Solutions Regional Extension meeting.  Wednesday found me back on the road to Lubbock to speak at the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation Water College. Today, I’ll be doing an online presentation for a graduate student group… Read More →

January 5, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Hello and Happy New Year!  I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday.  We’re back in the saddle and here are some of the top ag law stories in the news this first week of 2018. *US Supreme Court gears up for oral argument in Texas v. New Mexico.  On Monday, Justices will hear oral arguments at the US Supreme Court in the water law case Texas v. New Mexico.  This case involves a 1938 Rio Grande Compact that requires New Mexico to deliver water at the Elephant Butte Reservoir… Read More →

November 24, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Here are some ag law stories in the news this week that might be good fodder for discussions with the visiting relatives (or not.) *EPA proposes 2-year delay of 2015 WOTUS rule.  The EPA and Corps of Engineers have proposed a rule that would delay implementation of the 2015 WOTUS rule for two years.  Currently, the 2015 rule is stayed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the EPA is currently working through the required process… Read More →

October 13, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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Hello from Dallas Love Field Airport, which has been my second home recently with all my travels.  This week, I made my way to Stephenville to speak at Annie’s Project.  Huge kudos to Jason Johnson for his work coordinating this intensive educational course for farm and ranch women and a big thanks to him for inviting me to participate.  It is always one of my favorite programs of the year. Here are some ag law stories in the news this week. * Iowa “Ag Gag” statute challenged in… Read More →

July 22, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  This week I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Floydata and visit with producers at their ag field day about one of my favorite things…agricultural law hot topics.  To those of you joining from that meeting, welcome!  Here are some of the major ag law stories in the news this week. * Congress Passes GMO Labeling Law.  Last week, Congress passed a federal law that will impose federal standards on the labeling of foods made with genetically modified ingredients.  [Read bill text here.]  The law will… Read More →

July 15, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve hit the halfway point for July and I hope everyone is staying cool in this heat!  It’s been a busy week for me.  On Monday, I gave an online presentation on agricultural leases to the 2016 Generation Next participants.  Thursday found me in Sherman, again talking ag leases.  On Friday, I wrapped things up in Greenville talking key laws for Texas landowner to beware of.  Welcome to those of you joining from these events! Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week…. Read More →

March 11, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday to everyone!  There were lots of interesting ag law stories in the news this week.  Let’s take a look. * Mexico Complies with Rio Grande Treaty Obligations.  You may remember from this prior post the long running dispute between Texas and Mexico regarding water owed to the US under the 1944 Rio Grande Treaty.  For several years, Mexico had been behind on the required water delivery.  As of January 25, the International Boundary and Water Commission confirmed that Texas had delivered all water owed under the… Read More →