A Texas board will decide next week how to hand out millions of dollars from a state program that aims to boost water supplies by clearing branches and shrubs.
The State Soil and Water Conservation Board will decide Monday how to disburse the money.
The mission of the water supply enhancement program is to save water by clearing shrubs and trees that use it up.
The program has drawn opposition from environmentalists, property owners and academics. They say the program is misguided and will lead to large-scale soil erosion and no extra water.
Texas lawmakers ordered the soil board in 2011 to make water savings a priority after the state was hit by a drought.
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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
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