The Lost Rider Podcast with Herman Brune

Another candidate for the Texas Rail Road Commission is Hawk Dunlap. He has no hard feelings towards current commissioners but feels it's time to fix a few problems. Dunlap explains more about abandoned wells and how reinjection wells may effect groundwater. He says that not all reinjection wells are 10,000 feet or deeper. His view is to awaken the public to the technology available to recycle industrial water. This is a widely accepted concept amongst water planners, engineers, and scientists. It is not so fondly viewed  by the public that has become totally acclimated to their own personal "toilet to tap" water usage; but can't seem to accept that idea for industrial recycling. 

The Texas Rail Road Commission's main job is permitting drilling and pipelines in the oil patch. This election cycle a host of challengers are vying for Jim Wright's seat on the commission. One point of contention that  draws attention is also the permitting of "flares". This is when excess natural gas is burned because there is no place for storage. Candidate James Matlock discusses this conundrum, as well as, defines "orphan wells"  and the problem with continually putting frack water down reinjection wells.  

Social Media director, Justin Morissey, for the National Shooting Sports Foundation gives us a preview of the upcoming 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. It is the hunting and shooting industry's trade show. It is an international show expecting more than 50,000 people and 2800 vendors. The booths cover approximately 18 acres with in the Venetian, Palazio, and Caesar's conference and exhibition space. Morrisey also elaborates on the NSSF's involvement in wildlife conservation, as well as, the foundation's programs such as the  "Child Safe Program". 

#shotshow2026

#hunting

#outdoors

#ShootingSports

In an effort to untangle a hairball of information, Brune goes back for another interview with Nueces River Authority  Executive Director John Byrum. While folks are satisfied that the discharge from a seawater desal plant will go offshore into deep water, they're not as happy about brackish aquifer desal plants putting the discharge back into creeks. The hairball starts when CCA's Shane Bonnet says that the runoff would be too "fresh" for Baffin Bay. Guides in  that area fear that the runoff would be too salty. Which is correct? Cpt. Jay Nichols points out areas of dead sea grass. Ex. Dir. Byrum tells us that nitrogen and other nutrients are harming the bay. However, there are efforts to rectify those problems and in other interviews researchers from the Harte Research Institute at TAMU Corpus Christi have documents progress and improvement.   

The Charley Russel Museum is in Great Falls, Montana. Once a year the Western Art community gathers for an extended weekend to celebrate with "paintings in the park", a buffet and auction Friday night, and a banquet and auction Saturday night that includes pieces from eras gone by.

The last evening is when nationwide museums and collectors gather to bid on selected pieces of Charley Russel artwork. In this interview Brune visits with the museum executive director. 

The Coastal Conservation Assn. position on the discharge of desalination plants is to be in favor of deep water off shore discharge in the case of the Harbor Island seawater desal plant. As per the South Texas Water Authority's plans for a brackish aquifer desalination plant the CCA position is to use reinjection wells for the discharge. Brune interviews CCA Advocacy officer Shane Bonnet and asks, what happens when reinjection wells are no longer the answer? Are we ignoring current technology that eventually must be implemented? Will desalination bring relief to river systems and aquifers?