Feature: Water Grows
Water Grows is an educational initiative that seeks to raise awareness of efforts by farmers to conserve water, while benefiting the economic vitality of Texas. This month, TAGD spoke with Stephanie Pruitt of Texas Corn Producers to learn more about the program. Read all about it here.
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Texas Groundwater Summit Videos Available
Videos of Texas Groundwater Summit presentations are now being made available on TAGD's YouTube channel! Whether you want to revisit a favorite presentation, view a breakout presentation you missed, or weren't able to join us in San Antonio this year, you can enjoy the great speakers at this year's Texas Groundwater Summit from the comfort of your own home or office. Thanks to our generous event sponsors, TAGD is able to provide these educational videos to the public at no charge.
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Agency Updates
Starr County GCD Petition for Inquiry
On October 23, the Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Council (TCEQ) considered the petition for inquiry regarding Starr County Groundwater Conservation District’s failure to participate in joint planning and to adopt desired future conditions. Consistent with an unopposed motion to grant the petition filed by Starr County GCD, the Commission granted the petition and selected a review panel authorized to conduct the inquiry and to prepare the written report. Documents filed in this Docket No. 2019-1092-MIS can be accessed by searching with the docket number on TCEQ's website here.
Lone Star GCD Management Plan Denial Appeal to TWDB
On October 3, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) upheld the TWDB Executive Administrator's determination that the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District's management plan is not administratively complete. The memorandum outlining the basis and reasoning for the Executive Administrator's determination and his recommendation to the TWDB is available here. Additional information and background documents on this issue, including the Lone Star GCD's brief containing its points of appeal, can be accessed from TAGD's emerging legal issues (August 2019) webpage here. The Lone Star GCD has now requested that the matter be mediated by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).
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Lost Pines GCD Contested Case Hearing
On October 22, SOAH concluded a six-day hearing concerning permit applications submitted by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District requesting to withdraw up to approximately 25,000 acre-feet annually from eight groundwater wells in Bastrop County. The permit applications were protested by a number of individual landowners and landowner groups, regional water utility Aqua Water Supply Corporation, the City of Elgin, Environmental Stewardship, and Recharge Water, LP (formerly End Op).
Closing arguments and briefs are due from all parties on December 20, and any reply briefs are due on January 31. SOAH will then prepare its proposal for decision, which includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an ultimate recommendation to Lost Pines GCD. This will likely be issued during Spring of 2020. Once issued, the Lost Pines GCD Board will consider the SOAH proposal for decision. This could mean that the Lost Pines GCD Board adopts, modifies, or vacates SOAH’s proposal, including the findings of fact and conclusions of law. This final decision on LCRA's applications by the Lost Pines GCD Board could then be appealed to the district court by any party to the case.
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News
- With Proposition 8, Texas would set aside money for future flooding. Read here.
- Bastrop groundwater hearing kicks off with shots at LCRA. Read here.
- State of Texas rejects Lone Star GCD's proposed management plan for second time. Read here.
- A tale of two aquifers. Read here.
- Texas spent millions closing abandoned wells. Read here.
- After a steady rise, Texas House Speaker Bonnen's fall came fast. Read here.
- Drop by drop: understanding water's central role In diplomacy, migration, and the climate. Read or listen here.
- Panola County Groundwater Conservation District completes water quality study. Read here.
- New openings: View jobs and RFPs on TAGD's website. View more here.
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Events
- Bell County Water Symposium. November 6. More info.
- Groundwater Management Districts Association Conference. January 12-15. More info.
- Panhandle Water Conservation Symposium. February 12. More info.
- Permian Basin Water In Energy. February 18-21. More info.
- Ogallala Aquifer Summit. March 31-April 1. More info coming soon.
- Texas Water 2020. March 31-April 2. More info.
- Water for Texas. September 28-30. More info coming soon.
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