Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration in response to the spread of the New World screwworm.
The declaration released by the governor’s office says, “Although the New World Screwworm Fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife.” The governor also says the disaster declaration will better equip the Texas response team to prevent the parasite from spreading into the Lone Star State.

Community members and stakeholders are invited to attend a public meeting focused on the health of the Brushy Creek watershed in Williamson and Milam counties on Feb. 19, from 6-7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the City of Round Rock Department of Public Works, located at 3400 Sunrise Road, in Round Rock. The meeting will provide an overview of current water quality data related to identified impairments in Brushy Creek. Participants will learn more about what the data indicates about the creek’s condition and take part in a discussion on next steps in the development of a voluntary watershed protection plan.

Mexico reached an agreement with the U.S. on a plan to address the shortfall in water deliveries it owes the U.S., according to a joint statement from the U.S. secretaries of state and agriculture. Mexico committed to a detailed plan to fully repay all outstanding water debt accrued during the five-year period from 2020-2025. This announcement comes after Mexico failed to make all the deliveries required under the 1944 Water Treaty. In addition to paying back the water debt, Mexico will deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year in the current five-year cycle, which began last month and runs through 2030.