Water Board Approves WTU Contract
The Glasscock County Underground Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors conditionally agreed Jan. 18 to cast its vote in favor of allowing the West Texas Weather Modification Association to contract with West Texas Utilities to provide the company weather modification services for a period of one or two years. The district’s directors agreed to the contract with the stipulation that it doesn’t take anything away from the weather modification program here, and that Dale Bates continues as WTWMA’s president for the length of the contract or until he can train someone to take his place.
However, board member Larry Wheat said, “I think we should get our own program going better first; I want to see some results for all the money we’re spending.”
Board member Dennis Seidenberger, who is the water district’s voting member on the WTWMA board, said he favors contracting with WTU because of the money it will provide. He said WTU will put $212,000 per year into the program, and another $212,000 is expected from the state in matching funds. He said this money would allow the association to buy another plane, which would belong to the WTWMA after the contract with WTU ends. The plane and a pilot would be stationed in Taylor County for the term of the agreement, and would be used there from May through September. Seidenberger said it could also be used here when not needed in the WTU area, and that WTWMA’s current three planes would stay in our area, where they will soon be working year-round. He said WTWMA’s radar already covers the WTU area.
The WTWMA now consists of Glasscock, Reagan, Crockett, Sutton, Schleicher, Irion, Sterling and part of Tom Green counties. The WTU area would consist of Coke, Runnels, Nolan and the south half of Taylor counties. Seidenberger said WTU’s interest in weather modification is an effort to put more rainfall into the watersheds for Oak Creek Lake and Lake Phantom Hill, where the company has generators.
Seidenberger said Reagan and Crockett counties are opposed to including the WTU area in the WTWMA, fearing it will diminish the program in the existing service area. GCUWCD Manager Rick Harston said he doubts that the WTWMA board will vote in favor of the WTU contract unless all members agree to it.
The WTWMA operates primarily out of San Angelo, where its radar is located. The association has one plane there, one in Ozona, and will soon have one in Big Lake. Harston expects better local results from the weather modification program with the planes stationed closer to Glasscock County. He said clouds with seeding potential too often dissipate before planes from San Angelo can get to the farthest parts of the coverage area.
The GCUWCD is beginning its fourth year of weather modification efforts and has spent $77,500 in the program so far.