About Us
About South Plains Association of Governments
The South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) is a voluntary association created by the local governments within state planning region number two. Authorized by state law, SPAG is an independent political subdivision of the state and is an instrument of local governments. SPAG is one of twenty-four (24) such organizations in Texas.
The SPAG planning region, delineated by the Governor, encompasses fifteen (15) counties covering 13,737 square miles. Approximately 60% of the region’s population is located within Lubbock County, which is geographically centered in the region.
Any local government within the fifteen counties is eligible for membership in the association. All fifteen (15) counties, forty-six (46) cities, and nine (9) special purpose districts are participating members of SPAG.
Recognizing that more can be accomplished by acting together rather than alone, local governments created their association as a service organization for themselves. SPAG is charged with representing the interests of local governments of the region and facilitating orderly development of the economic, social, and physical environment. Acting through SPAG, local governments create opportunities based upon local needs and preferences.
What is a Regional Flood Plan (RFP)?
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has been tasked with creating a comprehensive state flood plan to protect against loss of life and property due to flooding. Fifteen regional flood planning groups have been designated to develop the first regional flood plan by January 2023. Each of the individual regional plans will be combined to make up Texas’ first regional flood plan.
The development of the regional flood plan must follow specific criteria as outlined in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). The flood plan requirements may be found at 31TAC, Chapter 361, Subchapter C, Regional Flood Plan Requirements and 31 TAC, Chapter 362, State Flood Planning Guideline Rules, Subchapter A, State Flood Plan Development. These rules contain procedures and guidelines for the development of the regional flood plan.
What is the State’s Flood Plan?
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has been tasked with creating a comprehensive state flood plan to protect against loss of life and property due to flooding. Fifteen regional flood planning groups have been designated to develop the first regional flood plan by January 2023. Each of the individual regional plans will be combined to make up Texas’ first regional flood plan.
About Region 7 – Upper Brazos Flood Planning Group
In 2019, the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott expanded the authority of the Texas Water Development Board to administer a new State and Regional Flood Planning process. The 15 regions designated in Texas are based on river basins and Region 7, also known as the Upper Brazos Flood Planning Region. At the first meeting of the Region 7 Upper Brazos Flood Planning Group on October 29, 2020, the group designated SPAG to be the political subdivision to serve as the planning group sponsor to coordinate and provide support on a variety of administrative activities of Region 7. Under the direction of the Region 7 Upper Brazos Regional Flood Planning Group, a consultant shall prepare a regional flood plan for Region 7 to submit to TWDB.
Region 7 – Upper Brazos includes the following counties in their entirety: Bailey, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Lamb, Lubbock, Shackelford, Stonewall and Throckmorton
Region 7 – Upper Brazos also includes portions of the following counties: Archer, Baylor, Borden, Callahan, Castro, Cochran, Crosby, Dawson, Dickens, Eastland, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, King, Knox, Lynn, Mitchell, Nolan, Parmer, Scurry, Stephens, Swisher, Taylor, Terry and Young.
Region 7 - Upper Brazos RFPG Voting Members
Michael Keenum, LAN Inc. (Chair)
Dale Spurgin, Jones County (Vice Chair)
Richard Blake Moore, Lamb County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Secretary)
Michael Rice, City of Abilene
Rich Oller, Oller Engineering, Inc.
Erin Stiggins, Pape-Dawson Engineers
Ken Rainwater, Texas Tech University
John Turpin, City of Lubbock (At Large)
Lacy Cotter-Vardeman– Cotter Ranch | Vardeman Farms
Jeremiah Bihl – City of Abilene-Water Utility Department
Cole Kirkland – City of Levelland
Peyton Lisenby – Brazos River Authority
VACANT, Counties