Decision on LCRA’s groundwater permit application

Griffith League Scout Ranch, Bastrop, TX.

In another major victory for Environmental Stewardship, a final decision and operating permits have been issued on the LCRA’s Griffith League Ranch groundwater permit application that requires the LCRA and the District to monitor the impact of groundwater pumping on surface water as a enforceable condition of the permit.

For nearly a decade, Environmental Stewardship has had three primary objectives in protecting the Colorado River. The first objective has been to get a surface water-groundwater monitoring network installed in the river basin in Bastrop, Texas. The second objective has been to protect the river and its tributaries from over-pumping by limiting the amount of pumping allowed in the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) within the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District and Groundwater Management Area 12, The third objective has been to get a surface water specific DFC adopted for the river.

With this decision, and the progress made by our WaterDefenders coalition in limiting the amount of pumping allowed under the DFCs, key elements of Environmental Stewardship’s primary objectives regarding protection of the Colorado River and its tributaries are set to be met in the next few years.

Reject “Proposed Desired Future Conditions” for GMA-12

Sustainable management  – not aquifer mining – is the only way to protect our local communities and the environment from groundwater over-pumping!

The “Proposed desired future conditions (DFCs)” that are about to be voted on by the  five groundwater conservation districts in the counties listed below are at the heart of this issue.  They are members of Groundwater Management Area 12 (GMA-12). We have the opportunity now to make our desires known and re-direct how our aquifers are to be managed.  

The clock is ticking on our ability to reject the manage-to-depletion mindset that is imbedded in GMA-12’s “Proposed Desired Future Conditions”.  We have a very short time period to raise our voices and require that our water resources be sustainably managed in a way that protects landowners’ exempt domestic and irrigation wells, and the resilience of our rivers and streams to the droughts that are just around the corner.    Water, and how it is managed, will determine the future of our communities, our environment,  and our rivers, including the Colorado, Brazos, Trinity and the Navasota rivers.

The WaterDefenders.org Coalition of  Environmental Stewardship and the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund invite all citizens, landowners, local government officials, businesses, and community organizations to join us in rejecting the “Proposed Desired Future Conditions” and management policies being set for GMA-12, the Groundwater Management Area in which we live.

The battle over sound management heats up at GMA-12.

Comparison of impacts of Current DFCs vs. Proposed DFCs on Colorado River. Click on graphic to hear discussion of these impacts by Steve Box at GMA-12 Meeting on April 20, 2021.

Coalition formed to advocate for sound management  – not aquifer mining – as the only way to protect our local communities and the environment from groundwater over-pumping!…

GMA-12 Hearing Dates and Comment Guidelines

Go to WaterDefenders.org Table of GMA-12 Hearing dates and Contact  information (Go to bottom of page for COMMENT GUIDELINES) [wpdatatable id=1 table_view=regular] COMMENT GUIDELINES Actions you can take to reject the proposed desired future conditions and change the course groundwater management in our counties.  Here is the message we would like for you to help us…

Public Hearing: LCRA Groundwater Permit Application

PUBLIC HEARING LCRA’s Groundwater Permit Application January 28, 2021 at 6-9 PM Hybrid Meeting Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing on January 28th from 6-9 pm. The meeting will be held at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center with a virtual connection for public participation. For the District’s…

ES Requests DFCs to protect Colorado River and Tributaries

Environmental Stewardship requests Desired Future Conditions be adopted to protect the Colorado River and its tributaries from impacts of groundwater pumping Environmental Impact of Groundwater Pumping on the Colorado River and its Tributaries   Environmental Stewardship’s Executive Director, Steve Box, presented a power point review of its request that Groundwater Management Area 12 establish standards to…

environmental stewardship

Water Exporters Impacts to Bastrop Area

Environmental Stewardship gave a presentation at the December 15, Virtual Meeting of Rotary Club of Bastrop County December 15, 2020 program “Water Exporters and Their Impacts to our Area.” by Steve Box, Board President, Environmental Stewardship, a WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE Affiliate  https://www.environmental-stewardship.org. Click here for the presentation slides Water Exporters and Their Impacts to our Area Groundwater and surface…

LCRA permit now pending with Lost Pines’ Board

Administrative Law Judges Rebecca S. Smith (right) and Ross Henderson (left) presiding over the contested case hearing on LCRA’s groundwater application.

The Administrative Law Judges recently issued a reply to exceptions filed by the parties clearing the way for a final decision on LCRA’s groundwater permit application. The reply includes some changes to the original Proposal for Decision (PFD). With these changes — which preserve Environmental Stewardship’s win on surface water issues — the District’s Board of Directors now have the guidance they requested and can take final action on LCRA’s pending permit application. 

Environmental Stewardship scores partial victory

Hearing on LCRA’s application for a groundwater pumping permit held before SOHA Judges in October, 2019.

We are pleased and grateful to claim a partial victory in the contested case hearing on LCRA’s application for a groundwater pumping permit.   The judges have issued a Proposal for Decision (PFD) that includes the recommendation that surface water monitoring must be done by LCRA as a part of the permit.  See the attached press release and summary of the key findings as they relate to surface waters.