Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group
WaterPR is handling public outreach and information for the Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group (known as “Region M”) established under the Brown-Lewis Water Management Bill (SB 1) of 1997 to identify and address 50-year water needs. The legislation established 16 management bodies across Texas to coordinate long-range water planning with the input of stakeholders representing a variety of interests.
As a subcontractor to Turner Collie & Braden in Phase 1, we coordinated an extensive media campaign to reach the Planning Group’s 1.3 million constituents living in eight counties along the southernmost section of the Texas-Mexico border. Our goal was to boost public awareness of the draft plan and to elicit participation in the planning process.
Through editorial board visits and placing planning group members on local talk radio and TV public affairs shows, we garnered media coverage in the area stretching from Eagle Pass to Brownsville. Prior to the planning meetings, WaterPR sparked public interest with a plain language summary (in English and Spanish) that was distributed to the media and concerned citizens.
We also managed public outreach in Phase 2, under subcontract with NRS Consulting Engineers. In addition to regularly producing newsletters and media advisories, we developed and maintained a website (www.RioGrandeWaterPlan.org), designed the group’s new logo and paper system, and planned and facilitated discussion of policy issues. Results of these discussions are posted on the website.
WaterPR is now managing outreach for the third cycle of long-range planning.
