The Nueces River Authority (NRA) was created in 1935 by special act of the 44th Texas Legislature codified as Article 8280-115 (Texas Water Code Auxiliary Laws, as amended).Under supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), NRA has broad authority to preserve, protect, and develop surface water resources including flood control, irrigation, navigation, water supply, wastewater treatment, and water quality control. NRA may develop parks and recreational facilities and may acquire and dispose of solid wastes. NRA may issue bonds and receive grants and loans.

NRA is governed by a Board of 21 directors appointed for staggered, six year terms by the Governor with advice and consent of the Texas Senate. NRA serves all or parts of 22 counties in South Texas, covering over 17,000 square miles, generally constituting the drainage area of the Nueces River and its tributaries and the adjoining coastal basins. NRA receives no state or federal appropriations or tax revenues. Its income is primarily from interest on investments and contracted services. NRA is audited annually by an independent certified public accounting firm.

The NRA has two facilities; its General Office located in Uvalde, Texas, and its Coastal bend Division Office in Corpus Christi, Texas. NRA is a co-sponsor, along with the City of Corpus Christi, of the Choke Canton Reservoir, located on the Frio River in Live Oak County. The NRA owns 20% of the water rights. This project completed in 1982, is operated exclusively by the City of Corpus Christi as a municipal and industrial water supply for the Coastal Bend region. NRA works closely with the City to protect the water quality and supply associated with Choke Canyon.

In 1997, NRA contracted with the City of Corpus Christi to construct a 101 mile, 64″ diameter, concrete-steel reinforced water pipeline to deliver water the City owns at Lake Texana in Jackson County to Corpus Christi treatment facilities in Nueces County. NRA issued $118,195,000 of its water supply revenue bonds to finance the construction of the “Mary Rhodes Pipeline.” The Port of Corpus Christi Authority was NRA’s Project Manager.

NRA has supported the Texas Clean Rivers Program since its inception and, presently, is responsible for conducting the Program, under contract with the TCEQ, in the Nueces Basin and its two adjoining coastal basins. This work is designed to identify water quality problems in the study area and to develop measures to correct such problems.

NRA functions primarily as a regional water resource planning agency, being the only governmental entity having specific jurisdiction through the Nueces and adjoining coastal basins. NRA monitors state and federal activities which could affect Nueces Basin interests and responds as appropriate. NRA has sponsored and participated in numerous water supply studies within its service area. NRA is a co-sponsor of the Trans-Texas Water Program and is facilitating the Senate Bill 1 state water planning effort for the Coastal Bend Regional Water Planning Group.

Nueces River Authority Stategic Plan

Utilizing our statutory charge to provide trusted services to meet the needs of the people and environment; ensuring that future citizens will have adequate supplies of clean water where both people and wildlife can live, prosper and enjoy the natural beauty and biologically rich environment of the Nueces River basin.

Nueces River Authority (NRA) was created by the Texas legislature in 1935. Unlike typical government agencies, NRA does not tax, issue permits, or regulate. We receive no state or federal tax or appropriations revenue. Our income is mainly from contracted services.

We have broad authority to:

• preserve, protect, and develop water resources;
• provide for flood control, irrigation, and navigation;
• develop parks and recreational facilities;
• finance water supply, water treatment, and pollution control projects;
• receive state and federal grants and loans.

The goals of the plan are driven by the following initiatives:

• Greater education and engagement of stakeholders about the condition and value of our water resources and NRA’s role and purpose their protection and development.
• Manage and develop facilities across the basin to address sustainability in water resource practices.
• Maintain and improve business practices of the NRA.
• Strengthen NRA’s relationships and partnerships to maintain and facilitate economic success.
• Become a trusted leader in providing governmental operation and financial services.

NRA will pursue its statutory responsibilities hoping that years from now:

• future generations will continue to value and access the basin’s pristine Hill Country streams;
• brush-country wildlife will continue to prosper, unthreatened by hazardous waste;
• biologically rich bays and estuaries will continue to thrive;
• citizens will continue to have and appreciate adequate supplies of clean water;
• NRA will be instrumental in making it happen.

The Nueces River Authority Board of Directors adopts bylaws and policies for the organization. The Governor appoints the President of the Board. The Board elects the 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Secretary/Treasurer, and an At-Large Member of the Executive Committee. The President appoints committee chairs and committee members. In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board currently has the following committees:

Operations Committee – which supports the Board in matters relating to development and maintenance of programs and facilities for water supply, water conservation, water quality protection, wastewater reclamation, solid waste management, drainage, flood control, and parks and recreation.

Design & Construction Committee – supports the Board in providing oversight to projects that are under design or construction.

Administrative Committee – makes recommendations to the Board on administrative matters including personnel, policies and procedures, information technology, accounting and asset management, office space, public relations, records management, consultants, auditing, legal services, and other matters delegated by the President or the Board.

Flood & Drainage Committee – supports the Board by recommending policy matters with respect to proposed flood and storm water drainage divisions of the Authority.

Nominating Committee – supports the Board by recommending members for various Board committees.

Finance & Audit Committee – the bylaws provide that the Secretary-Treasurer chair the Finance and Audit Committee. This committee supports the Board by reviewing the Executive Director’s proposed budget prior to adoption, reviewing the annual audit and any recommendations prior to Board approval.

The Board of Directors employs and sets the salary of the Executive Director who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. Under policies established by the Board and the Executive Committee, the Executive Director is responsible to the Board and the Executive Committee for:

1. administering the directives of the Board and the Executive Committee;
2. keeping the authority’s records, including minutes of meetings of the Board and the Executive Committee;
3. coordinating with state, federal, and local agencies;
4. developing plans and programs for the approval of the Board or the Executive Committee;
5. hiring, supervising, training, and discharging the Authority’s employees authorized via the annual budget;
6. contracting for or retaining technical, scientific, legal, fiscal, and other professional services, as authorized by the Board or the Executive Committee; and
7. performing any other duties assigned by the Board or the Executive Committee.

The Organization currently has the following divisions:

1. Finance & Administration – includes accounting, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, and human resource management.
2. Resource Protection – includes management of programs for invasive species, riparian issues, and oversight of the Petronila Creek Implementation Plan, the Up To You (↑2U) Litter Prevention Program, as well as other contracted programs to protect source water quality.
3. Water Quality – includes implementation of the Clean Rivers Program, On-site Septic Facilities Program, and other contracted water quality programs.
4. Education – this division provides classroom training on the sources of water and water quality protection for 5th and 7th graders within the basin.
5. Utilities – operations the Authorities Leakey Regional Wastewater System and contracted utilities operations.
6. Planning – provides support and oversight of the Region 13 – Nueces Flood Planning Group and the Region “N” – Coastal Bend Water Planning Group. Provides oversight and compliance with the Authority’s Strategic Plan as well as providing insight for the growth of the organization.

The Organizational Chart below outlines the reporting relationships of the various divisions.