- Federal governmental entities: International Boundary and Water Commission manages Amistad International Reservoir and the Rio Grande’s surface waters, to which the lower Devils River watershed is a significant tributary. The U.S. National Park Service owns the lands around and manages recreation on Amistad International Reservoir which extends up the Devils River arm of the reservoir. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works to conserve and protect fish, wildlife, and their habitats in the Devils River watershed, including permitting research and monitoring populations of Texas Hornshell (federally endangered) and Devils River minnow (federally threatened).
- State governmental entities: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for managing the state’s wildlife and fisheries resources and has a vested interest in conservation of the Devils River. The Inland Fisheries Division maintains aquatic species and habitat monitoring locations and funds biologic and hydrologic research throughout the Lower Devils River watershed. The State Parks Division is a major landowner in the watershed, overseeing operation of two state natural areas. Lastly, the Wildlife Division provides technical guidance to private landowners on conservation issues throughout the watershed. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality monitors water quality and governs surface water withdraws from the watershed. Devils River Soil and Water Conservation District works to combat soil erosion and protect water quality in the watershed. Texas Water Development Board is charged with planning for Texas’ water resources and recently completed a special groundwater study for Val Verde County including the Devils River (TWDB, 2018).
- Agriculture and Ranching enterprises including the Hudspeth River Ranch and others graze livestock and irrigate pasture within the watershed.
- Private Landowner groups such as the Devils River Association who represent the heritage landowners of the region.
- Recreation outfitters including Amistad Expeditions, Angell Expeditions, Diablo Paddlesports, Expedition Outfitters, Ryes and Sons, and Devils River Outfitters all rely on the surface water flows in the Lower Devils River watershed to conduct their business.
- Tourism advocates such as the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce tout the Devils River as one of Val Verde County’s leading attractions.
- Industry interests such as the Plains All American Pipeline, LP and Akuo Energy who operate energy transportation and production facilities in the watershed and rely on groundwater to support construction.
- Academic institutions including Texas A&M University, Texas State University, and the University of Texas-Bureau of Economic Geology conduct biologic and hydrologic research in the watershed.
- Environmental entities such as Audubon Texas and The Nature Conservancy work to research and protect aspects of the watershed’s ecology. The Nature Conservancy is also a watershed landowner, conservation easement holder, protecting over 100,000 acres, is engaged in groundwater management policy, has funded additional research and monitoring, and has led previous conservation planning and management partnerships in the watershed.
- Cultural stewards such as Shumla Archeological School who document and steward historical and cultural sites in the watershed. The Devils River watershed is home to some of the best preserved and plentiful pictograph sites in the United States.
- Independent private landowners not otherwise represented.
- Local municipalities such as the Val Verde County Commissioners Court and the Amistad Land Use and Zoning Commission have jurisdiction within the watershed. The cities of Del Rio, Sonora, and Ozona occur in and around the Devils River watershed and have a vested interest in both the surface water of the Devils River and the groundwater that feeds it.
- Water Planning Groups: Region J Regional Water Planning Group is a diverse stakeholder group representing the multi-county region of western central Texas charged with developing regional water plans as part of the overall State Water Plan. Groundwater Management Area 7 sets groundwater desired future conditions for a large region of central, west Texas including Val Verde County and the Lower Devils River watershed which are also incorporated into the State Water Plan.
Stakeholder Roster
The following contacts have been shared with us by stakeholders. If there are any missing names that should be part of this process, please use the nomination form at the bottom of this page.
Appearance on this list does not indicate active participation in the project.
- Alberto Quintanilla, City of Del Rio
- Alice Ball Strunk, Devils River Conservancy, Landowner
- Alvaro Al Arreola, City of Del Rio
- Andy Iverson, Landowner
- Asa Vermeulen, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Beau Nettleton, Val Verde County
- Betty Hernandez, City of Sonora
- Blake Royal, Devils River Association, Landowner
- Blanca Larson, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce
- Bret Griffith, Landowner
- Byron & Ann Wright Hodge, Landowner
- Carl Teaff, Sutton County
- Carrie Simmons, Texas Lobby Group
- Cathy Cameron, Landowner
- Clay Richardson, Landowner
- Cody White, Landowner
- Colin Farmer, Devils River Association, Landowner
- Cora Jane Farmer, Devils River Association, Landowner
- Dan Snodgrass, The Nature Conservancy
- Darrell Barker, City of Sonora
- Darren Carr, Indian Head Ranch
- David Honeycutt, Landowner
- Dawn B. Cahill, Sutton County
- Dell Dickinson, Landowner
- Donna Garrett, Sonora Chamber of Commerce
- Doug Meyer, Monarch Ranch
- Esme Meza, City of Del Rio
- Frank Tambunga, Crockett County
- Fred Deaton, Crockett County
- G.L. Bunger, Crockett County
- Greg Velazquez, City of Del Rio
- Gustavo Flores, Val Verde County
- James (J. R.) McBee, Landowner
- Jason Nix, Landowner
- Jesus Reyes, City of Del Rio
- John Shepperd, Texas Foundation for Conservation
- Jorge Ramon, City of Del Rio
- Joseph Harris, Sutton County
- Juan Vasquez, Val Verde County
- Juanita Gomez, City of Sonora
- Larry McBee, Landowner
- Lewis Owens, Val Verde County
- Lionel Cervantez, City of Sonora
- Martin Wardlaw, Val Verde County
- McLean Russell, Sycamore Canyon Ranch
- Meredith Allen, Sutton County UWCD
- Merily H. Keller, Landowner
- Mike Medina, Crockett County
- Mike Sanchez, City of Sonora
- Nikki Carr, Amistad Expeditions
- Norman Farmer, Landowner
- Pedro (Pete) Gomez, Crockett County
- Philip Walker, Ozona Chamber of Commerce
- Randy Nunns, Devils River Conservancy
- Rick Rylander, Landowner
- Robert Fawcett
- Robert Potts, Dixon Water Foundation
- Rod Sanders, Horizon Foundation
- Rogiero Sanchez, City of Del Rio
- Ross Studer, Indian Head Ranch
- Selma Glasscock
- Steve Holifield, Landowner
- Susan McBee, Landowner
- Terry Anderson, Landowner
- Thad Jarrett, Landowner
- The Walker Family, Landowner
- Tino Pruneda, Landowner
- Tom Goynes, Texas Rivers Protection Association
- Tom W Keller, Devils River Association, Landowner
- Vivi Jarrett-Farris, Devils River Association, Landowner
- Myra Diaz, Val Verde County