Water Code § 16.144

Sec. 16.144. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION. (a) If a person proposing to construct a reservoir whose site has been designated as unique for the construction of a reservoir under Section 16.051(g) is required to mitigate future adverse environmental effects arising from the construction or operation of the reservoir or its related facilities, the person shall, if authorized by the applicable regulatory authority, attempt to mitigate those effects by offering to contract with and pay an amount of money to an owner of real property located outside of the reservoir site to maintain the property through an easement instead of acquiring the fee simple title to the property for that purpose. (b) An owner of real property may reject an offer made under Subsection (a). If agreement on the terms of an easement under Subsection (a) cannot be reached by the parties after a good faith attempt and offer is made, then the party constructing the reservoir may obtain fee title to the property through voluntary or involuntary means. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1430 (S.B. 3), Sec. 3.02, eff. September 1, 2007.