CONFLUENCE NEWS | MAY 8, 2020
TWCA Mid-Year Virtual Conference -
Keynotes, Registration & Sponsorships 
COMPTROLLER HEGAR AND TCEQ COMMISSIONER JANECKA TO KEYNOTE TWCA MID-YEAR CONFERENCE. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and TCEQ Commissioner Bobby Janecka will provide keynote addresses at TWCA’s first-ever virtual conference. We will also hear about increased risks for severe weather in Texas from Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, agency flood response from the GLO, TDEM, and TWDB, coronavirus-specific discussions, case law updates, and more. View the draft agenda.

ETHICS CREDIT. We are working to secure continuing education credits for lawyers, engineers, and geoscientists for this event, and plan to include hour-long ethics courses for attorneys and engineers over the lunch hour on Friday, June 19th.
REGISTER TODAY. Conference registration is now open. The event will include committee meetings, the TWCA board meeting, virtual happy hours, and two days of speaker sessions. Attendees will receive an email the week of the event with unique links to join the various virtual conference options. We will also email out any relevant event materials. Note that panel meetings will be hosted separately on June 10-11 and will require a separate registration form, which is not yet available.  

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE. Utilizing a different type of event format, sponsorship options might look a little different. There are still familiar levels that you will recognize with added opportunities. Because we are trying something new, we are also open to your ideas. Please let us know if you have any sponsorship item ideas and thank you for your support!  

The Latest News
TWDB ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON PROJECT DELIVERY GUIDANCE. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is seeking public comment through May 15 on its draft Alternative Delivery Guidance. The guidance helps applicants understand how TWDB funding can be used to fund alternative delivery projects, such as design-build or construction manager at risk methods. The guidance also covers the requirements for project approvals and the release of funds processes. Comments may be submitted via email to rwpd@twdb.texas.gov.
WATERSMART FUNDING OPPORTUNITY. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program is accepting grant applications from communities looking to take a proactive approach to drought through projects that increase water supply reliability, improve water management, or provide benefits for fish, wildlife and the environment. Applications are due July 8 and more information can be found at www.grants.gov by searching funding opportunity number BOR-DO-20-F002.
Helpful Information
FIND TWCA COMMENTS/LEGAL BRIEFS . All of TWCA’s recent formal comments, amicus briefs, and position papers are on our website under the Policy and Legislation tab .
COVID-19 . TWCA has sent multiple updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be sending more frequent updates to ensure important information is getting to you in a timely way. See what we have sent out related to COVID-19 here.
Membership Dues: Don't forget to renew so you can utilize all of your TWCA benefits. Renew here.

Standing Committees: Sign up!
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