Cornyn Statement on Introduction of North Texas Zebra Mussel Barrier Act

Press Release

Today U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), former Texas Attorney General, released the following statement upon the introduction of the North Texas Zebra Mussel Barrier Act of 2012:

"This bill will allow the Texoma Water Pump to reopen and provide water to the more than 1.5 million people served by the North Texas Municipal Water District and Greater Texoma Utility Authority. It's a common-sense piece of legislation that helps Texans."

In 2000, a mistake in identifying the border between Texas and Oklahoma caused the Texoma Water Pump, previously standing solely within Texas, to straddle the state line. Due to the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate transport of invasive species, like zebra mussels, the pumping of water from Lake Texoma was suspended. This bill grants an exemption to the Act to allow the Texoma Water Pump to resume operating, while also removing zebra mussels to prevent contamination. This bill is a companion to identical legislation sponsored by Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-4) which passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote earlier this week.

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