Groundwater Management and Groundwater Districts in TexasGroundwater Management and Groundwater Districts in Texas

Rima Petrossian, Texas Water Development Board

Public Hearing on Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Management Plan

Wimberley, Texas

June 9, 2005

Rima Petrossian, Texas Water Development Board

Public Hearing on Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Management Plan

Wimberley, Texas

June 9, 2005

TWDB 2000 Water Use Survey

TWDB 2000 Water Use Survey

• 85 % of Groundwater Produced in Texas From Counties With a Groundwater Conservation District

• 57 % of Total Land Area of Texas is in a Groundwater Conservation District

• 85 % of Groundwater Produced in Texas From Counties With a Groundwater Conservation District

• 57 % of Total Land Area of Texas is in a Groundwater Conservation District

Water Administration:The Rules

Water Administration:The Rules

• Chapter 36.0015 says: “Groundwater Conservation Districts created as provided by this chapter are the state’s preferred method of groundwater management.”

• Chapter 36.0015 says: “Groundwater Conservation Districts created as provided by this chapter are the state’s preferred method of groundwater management.”

Regional Water Planning Areas

GWMPs Must Be Certified As

Administratively Complete

GWMPs Must Be Certified As

Administratively Complete

•Plans Contain All Required Elements

•Address Water Supply Needs in A

Manner “Not in Conflict” With Regional

Water Plans (reviews by RWPG and TWDB)

•Plans Contain All Required Elements

•Address Water Supply Needs in A

Manner “Not in Conflict” With Regional

Water Plans (reviews by RWPG and TWDB)

•GCD Develops MP (coordinates development with SW Entity)

•Planning group reviews MP for conflicts with RWP (Must consider MP in development of new RWP)

•TWDB Staff Assists MP Development and Executive Administrator Certifies MP as Administratively Complete

•SAO Audits District Progress in Achieving District Goals (after one year eligible, possibly within 5 years)

•TCEQ Reviews Audit (regulatory oversight as needed)

•GCD Develops MP (coordinates development with SW Entity)

•Planning group reviews MP for conflicts with RWP (Must consider MP in development of new RWP)

•TWDB Staff Assists MP Development and Executive Administrator Certifies MP as Administratively Complete

•SAO Audits District Progress in Achieving District Goals (after one year eligible, possibly within 5 years)

•TCEQ Reviews Audit (regulatory oversight as needed)

GCDGCD

SW SW

TWDBTWDB

TCEQTCEQ

SAOSAO

RWPGRWPG

Required Content in GWMPRequired Content in GWMP

• Estimates of GW Availability (Total Useable Amount of Groundwater), Historical Groundwater Use and Annual Recharge

• Discussion of How Recharge Could be Increased

• Water Supply and Demand Projections• Details on District Groundwater Management• Actions, Procedures, Performance and

Avoidance Necessary to Effectuate Plan Including Proposed District Rules

• Estimates of GW Availability (Total Useable Amount of Groundwater), Historical Groundwater Use and Annual Recharge

• Discussion of How Recharge Could be Increased

• Water Supply and Demand Projections• Details on District Groundwater Management• Actions, Procedures, Performance and

Avoidance Necessary to Effectuate Plan Including Proposed District Rules

Required Content in GWMPRequired Content in GWMP

• Management Goals (Seven Categories)

• Methodology For Tracking Progress (Annual Assessment of Progress Achieving Goals)

• Management Objectives (Time Based and Quantifiable Actions or Outcomes)

• Performance Standards (Measure Efficiency and Effectiveness)

• Management Goals (Seven Categories)

• Methodology For Tracking Progress (Annual Assessment of Progress Achieving Goals)

• Management Objectives (Time Based and Quantifiable Actions or Outcomes)

• Performance Standards (Measure Efficiency and Effectiveness)

Required Management Goals

(As Applicable to the District)

Required Management Goals

(As Applicable to the District)

• Providing the Most Efficient Use of Groundwater

• Controlling and Preventing Waste of Groundwater

• Controlling and Preventing Subsidence

• Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues

• Natural Resource Issues that Impact the Use and Availability of Groundwater and Which are Impacted by the Use of Groundwater

• Addressing Drought Conditions

• Addressing Conservation

• Providing the Most Efficient Use of Groundwater

• Controlling and Preventing Waste of Groundwater

• Controlling and Preventing Subsidence

• Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues

• Natural Resource Issues that Impact the Use and Availability of Groundwater and Which are Impacted by the Use of Groundwater

• Addressing Drought Conditions

• Addressing Conservation

What GCDs Can DoWhat GCDs Can Do

• Determine The Best Management Approach For The Aquifer(s)

• Require Permitting or Registration of Wells

• Promulgate Rules For The Production, Spacing and Construction of Wells

• Study the Aquifer(s) and Monitor Changing Conditions

• Determine The Best Management Approach For The Aquifer(s)

• Require Permitting or Registration of Wells

• Promulgate Rules For The Production, Spacing and Construction of Wells

• Study the Aquifer(s) and Monitor Changing Conditions

• Adopt Policy Without Public Process

• Completely Prohibit Export of

Groundwater

• Levy Taxes Without Electoral Approval

• Apply Excessive Fees

• Adopt Policy Without Public Process

• Completely Prohibit Export of

Groundwater

• Levy Taxes Without Electoral Approval

• Apply Excessive Fees

What GCDs Can’t DoWhat GCDs Can’t Do

Groundwater Management Areas

Questions?