Lost Pines to Permit 5.6 Times More Water than Available

This is INSANE.   Lost Pines GCD is on the verge of permitting five and a half (5.6) times more water from the Simsboro aquifer than is available.  The total amount of Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG) from the Simsboro Aquifer by 2010 is 29,556 acre-feet/year per the Lost Pines Management Plan.  Lost Pines is currently considering permit applications for 119,199 acre-feet/yr which is 4 times more water than is available for pumping.  Adding the current 45,365 acre-feet/year already permitted brings the total to 164,884 acre-feet/yr which is 5.6 times the amount of water currently available (without considering Environmental Stewardship’s ecological concerns).  So far, the General Manager has recommended approval of ALL the applications that have been presented to the Board of Directors. See Permit Concerns for copies of GM Recommendations. 

LOST PINES GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

will VOTE on the following applications at their next Board Meeting

Heart of Texas Suppliers, LP
Lower Colorado River Authority
Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group, Inc. 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013, 
Regular Board Meeting 6:00 P.M.
Giddings City Hall, 118 East Richmond St., Giddings, TX 78942

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
LOST PINES GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
will hold a public hearing and vote on the following applications
End Op , LP
Manville WSC

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 
Hearing 7:00 P.M.
Giddings City Hall, 118 East Richmond St., Giddings, TX 78942
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Current Simsboro Aquifer Applications Pending:
–  45,000 acre-feet/yr          Forestar Group      Vote on April 17
–  10,000 acre-feet/yr          LCRA                    Vote on April 17
–  56,000 acre-feet/yr          End Op                 Hearing and Vote on April 17
–    3,226 acre-feet/yr          Manville WSC        Hearing and Vote on April 17
–    3,360 acre-feet/yr          Heart of Texas      Vote on April 17
–    1,613 acre-feet/yr          City of Bastrop      Approved March 20
119,199 acre-feet/yr     TOTAL APPLICATIONS FOR SIMSBORO WELLS
Currently Permits in the Simsboro Aquifer
–  23,627 acre-feet/yr            Aqua WSC
–    6,653 acre-feet/yr            Manville WSC
–  11,023 acre-feet/yr            Lee Co. WSC
–       100 acre-feet/yr            Lee Co. FWSD
–         67 acre-feet/yr            Hunters Crossing
–    3,850 acre-feet/yr            Alcoa (currently pumping 6201 acre-feet/yr)
    45,365 acre-feet/yr        TOTAL CURRENT PERMITS FOR SIMSBORO WELLS
164,884 acre-feet/yr        TOTAL SIMSBORO APPLICATIONS + PERMITS
 4.4 times the Available Water in 2060 (MAG) for the Simsboro Aquifer
5.6 times the Available Water in 2010 (MAG) for the Simsboro Aquifer
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A FEW FACTS From the Lost Pines Management Plan

–  Total Available Groundwater (MAG) in the District by 2060 is 58,888 acre-feet/yr.

–  Bastrop County projected water demand by 2060 is 65,266 acre-feet/yr.

–  Lee County projected water demand by 2060 is 6,603 acre-feet/yr.   

–  Current discharge to surface waters from all aquifers is 78,612 acre-feet/yr.  

–  Net recharge to all aquifers (recharge – discharge) is 7,249 acre-feet/yr.   

–  Current pumping for all aquifers in the District is 47,811 acre-feet/yr (website)

–  Current permits for all aquifers 73,000 acre-feet/yr (Austin-American Statesman) 

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Click here to COMMENT TO THE LPGCD BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Please make sure you put “Comments to LPGCD Board of Directors” in the subject field
and address your comments to Mike Talbot and Board Members.
If you share our concerns below, please put
“I share Environmental Stewardship’s concerns” in the subject line.
Click here for NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (March 20 meeting, 4 pages)
Click here for NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (April 17 meeting, 2 pages)
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You are encouraged to TAKE ACTION NOW to let your voice be heard by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors.  Attend the meeting on Wednesday April 17 in Giddings and/or send them an email expressing your concerns.  If you share our concerns, please tell the Board so they know that we have your support too.