Environmental geologic maps of the Texas lignite belt were prepared in response to renewed production of lignite in Texas and enactment of Federal and State laws governing coal and lignite surface mining.

Between 1951 and 1996, groundwater pumpage from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer, one of Texas' major aquifer systems, increased in the area between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers from approximately 10,600 to 37,900 acre-ft/yr, primarily as a result of mining needs.