2009-10 Deliverables
Task 1 Research
Principal Investigator(s): Ron Lacewell, Ed Rister, Allen Sturdivant, Rob Hogan, Emily Seawright, and Andrew Leidner
We mutually agree for the above researchers to deliver the following during July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, using funds from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative. Note, some efforts associated with Tasks 1 and 3 are closely integrated between Extension and Research and are thus reported on both MOAs. Where applicable, reports on these efforts will be published through the TWRI.
Task 1: Irrigation District Studies
- Revise a master's thesis (by Seawright, on the economics of an USDA-ARS beneficial-insect program to reduce Arundo donax and improve local water supplies) into a TWRI technical report. Water savings are anticipated from the program This item is an extension of prior-years work. It is anticipated FY 2009 funding will complete this item.
- Complete the customized development of VIDRA© (Valley Irrigation District Rate Analyzer) for CCID#2 and a revised version for HCID#2. This item is a continuation of prior years' efforts. Last year, this item went from about 85-90% complete to the current 95%-97% complete. It is anticipated FY 2009 funding will complete this item.
- Revise two master's theses (by Rogers and Boyer, on the life-cycle costs for four different water-treatment facilities in Texas and the economies of size) into TWRI technical reports. This item is an extension of work completed in the prior year. It is anticipated FY 2009 funding will complete this item.
- Present two contributed papers at University Council of Water Resources (UCOWR) Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. Reporting on "Rate Analyses for Irrigation Districts in South Texas" and "Toward Identifying Optimal Best Management Practices for Watershed Management of Water Quality."
- Submit a journal article to the American Journal of Agricultural Economics entitled "Economic Implications of Conventional Water Treatment Versus Desalination including an Examination of Economies of Size and Elasticities: Applications to South Texas " (tentative). Water savings, per se are not directly provided by this work. However, the combined effective treatment and production level of the four subject facilities is slightly over 14 mgd, or 15,682 ac-ft per year; i.e., "new" potable water which until recent years has not been provided in the RGV. This item is rolled-over from the prior year's work plan.
- Begin the economic investigation and analysis of algae for biofuel with Rob Hogan. This is to work with Engineers and others at the experimental site at the AgriLife Research Center in Pecos, Texas. Currently there are production/research/demonstration ponds with on-going programs directed to identifying optimal species of algae and best production practices for the region.