AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The worst one-year drought in Texas history is finally breaking, turning brown grass green and refilling reservoirs. Now political leaders are turning their attention to the future, hoping lessons from the long dry spell could finally change attitudes about water usage.
From Dallas to far-flung ranches and rice farms, state officials are trying to capitalize on the heightened awareness by adopting conservation plans designed to ease the next crisis. They want to analyze the drought and assess what worked, what failed and what needs improvement.
Comptroller Susan Combs has been urging Texans to save water for years. She says people finally seem to be listening. And she wants every community to come up with its own water plan.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.