Greetings!

 

Environmental Stewardship's appeal of the adopted desired future conditions of Groundwater Management Area 12 (GMA-12) has been accepted by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).  GMA-12 manages groundwater in Central Texas (Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Navarro, Robertson, and Williamson counties). (Click here for Smithville Times articleClick here for press release;  click here for Petition website)    

  

Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District's request for a 60 day extension was granted by the TWDB delaying a hearing until after October 11, 2011.  Though the extension is intended to provide an opportunity for the parties to consider a settlement, the Districts have indicated that they do not intend to negotiate, rather, they are "punting" to TWDB.   

     

CALL or WRITE the Texas Water Development Board and your groundwater district and let them know you support the Environmental Stewardship petition (see box on the left below)   

 

As reported in Truth #1, the adopted desired future conditions for the GMA-12  aquifers will cause the Colorado River to become a "losing" river by 2060.  This has implications for our trees and other terrestrial vegetation too. Click the archives button on the right below to review past issues and learn about "gaining" and "losing" rivers and streams. 

 

Environmental Stewardship contends that the desired future conditions adopted by GMA-12 on August 11, 2010 do not include available scientific study and reliable technologies and therefore fail to protect the Colorado and Brazos rivers, area springs and streams.  According to the Texas Water Development Board's model, there has been a dramatic decrease in outflows of water in Area 12 in the past that will continue into the future, and the  Area authority  has failed to make adjustments or to determine future trends.  In addition, water from Bastrop and nearby counties is being marketed to other areas without a careful analysis of water's present and future availability.    

 

MAKE A DONATION to help with our legal expenses from this effort to protect your groundwater (see box on the right below) 

 

By filing the petition, Environmental Stewardship has taken the first step.  We have opened the door to greater local control and responsible management of our water resources, endorsing Lost Pines GCD's goal to sustainably manage our groundwater.   We urge all who share our vision of Central Texas with its rivers, streams, trees, and wildlife to join us.  The issue is now; the solutions are now, but we need your help. We can only open the door; it is up to you, the citizens, to determine what kind of future you and your children will share.  I ask that you TAKE THE ABOVE ACTIONS and make a tax deductible donation today, and - whether or not you do - please stay tuned for Truth #2.  

 

Steve Box

Executive Director

Environmental Stewardship                                                   

                                                                                
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Project Game-Changer: DFC Appeal Update  August 2011
"Desired Future Conditions" threaten our Rivers, Streams, Springs & Forests
WRITE the Texas Water Development Board
GMA-12
GMA-12 Counties

 

There are five groundwater conservation districts in Groundwater Management Area 12 (GMA-12) listed below.  Click on the District that represents your county to obtain the name of the general manager and directors in your district.  Write them or call them and let them know that you are concerned about the Desired Future Conditions and this is an opportunity for them to take a second look at how they can protect our precious surface and groundwater resources.  Let the Texas Water Development Board know you support Environmental Stewardship's appeal and want it to be seriously considered at a local hearing this fall or early next year.    

 

Texas Water Development Board  (paste the following in the subject line:  Environmental Stewardship's GMA-12 DFC Petitions

   

Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District  

(Brazos and Robertson counties) 

 

Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District

(Fayette County) 

 

Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District  

(Bastrop and Lee counties)

 

Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District

(Freestone,, Leon, Madison counties)

 

Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District

(Burleson and Milam counties)

     

WHY WE ARE CONCERNED

 

Truth #1:  The adopted Desired Future Conditions for our aquifers will cause the Colorado River to lose its base-flow by 2060. This has implications for our trees and other terrestrial vegetation too. 

 

GMA12 Discharge to CR Tribs

The graph above sums up the concerns raised by Environmental Stewardship in the petition.   

  • Historically the Colorado River and its tributaries gained about 25-30,000 acre feet of water per year from the aquifers as it flowed through Bastrop County.   
  • Pumping for mining in the 1990's averaged about 23,000 acre feet per year until 1999 when it increased to 37,787 acre feet. 
  • As depicted in the graph, the model used by the GMA-12 in setting the desired future conditions seems to shows the impact of the mining operation.   
  • After 2000, the operator reduced its pumping to about 8-10,000 acre feet per year.  The graph again shows a corresponding rebound in the discharge to the Colorado River and its tributaries to about 14,000 acre feet per year (about 50% of the historic discharge).  
  • The planning period for the desired future conditions is 2010-2060.  As depicted in the graph, the discharge to the river and its tributaries is estimated to become ZERO and then negative during the planning period. 

In September, 2010, Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District installed remote monitoring equipment on six wells that are located in the Simsboro Aquifer in Bastrop and Lee counties.  As reported in the June 23, 2011, article Drought dropping Simsboro aquifer, the Heart of Texas well in Lee County dropped 18 feet in two months. We are in full agreement with Lost Pines Groundwater District Manager Joe Cooper, who has sounded the alarm that the water level of the Simsboro Aquifer in Bastrop and Lee Counties will continue to decline as the drought continues and pumping increases.  Mr. Cooper cautioned that:  "The Simsboro Aquifer is being looked at as the Mecca to supply water for all of south-central Texas.  We don't think that's possible."   And we agree.

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Environmental Stewardship is a charitable nonprofit organization whose purposes are to meet current and future needs of the environment and its inhabitants by protecting and enhancing the earth's natural resources; to restore and sustain ecological services using scientific information; and to encourage public stewardship through environmental education and outreach. 

We are a Texas nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable organization headquartered in Bastrop, Texas.  
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