Member Organizations Alamo, Austin, and Lone Star chapters of the Sierra Club May 17, 2017 Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas Bexar Audubon Society House Natural Resources Committee Bexar Green Party Chair: Rep. Boerne Together Vice Chair: Rep. Cibolo Nature Center Rep. Citizens Allied for Smart Expansion Rep. DeWayne Burns Citizens for the Protection of Cibolo Creek Rep. Environment Rep. Kyle J. Kacal First Universalist Unitarian Church of Rep. Tracy O. King Rep. Eddie Lucio III Friends of Canyon Lake Rep. Poncho Nevárez Friends of Dry Comal Creek Rep. Friends of Government Canyon Rep. Paul Workman Fuerza Unida cc: Shannon Houston via e-mail Green Party of Austin Dear Chairman Larson and Members of the House Natural Resources Headwaters at Incarnate Word Committee, Hays Community Action Network

Helotes Heritage Association On behalf of the fifty-two member organizations of the Greater Edwards Helotes Nature Center Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) I am registering opposition to S.B. 862, relating Hill Country Planning Association to the award of attorney's fees and other costs in certain proceedings Green Society of UTSA involving a groundwater conservation district. Guadalupe River Road Alliance Guardians of Lick Creek Having participated in stakeholder groups for the creation of two Kendall County Well Owners Association groundwater conservation districts (GCD’s), and as one who regularly Kinney County Ground Zero works with GCD’s in rural areas, foremost on the minds of those Leon Springs Business Association governed by these bodies is that the GCD budgets be as lean as Medina County Environmental Action possible. This does not include the prospect of exorbitant legal fees Association that might be accrued as a result of decisions by the trustees that are Native Plant Society of Texas – SA subject to challenge.

Northwest Interstate Coalition of Neighborhoods For the most part, GCD’s are well governed and represent the best of Preserve Castroville participatory democracy here in Texas. S.B. 862 would unnecessarily Preserve Lake Dunlop Association tilt the balance away from this democratic process in favor of water San Antonio Audubon Society marketers and other deep pockets who have the resources to challenge San Antonio Conservation Society decisions. We know from experience that challenges are often based on allocations by the GCD that interfere with their plans for profit. San Geronimo Nature Center

San Geronimo Valley Alliance Additionally, GCDs need to use their limited financial resources for San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance aquifer science; additional money needed for fighting lawsuits will have San Marcos River Foundation to come from increased fees or taxes if expenditures for aquifer science Save Barton Creek Association are to be maintained at current levels. I guarantee you that no one in Save Our Springs Alliance any district wants their fees or taxes to go up. Scenic Loop/Boerne Stage Alliance Securing a Future Environment We believe, and hope you agree, that S.B. 862 would compromise good SEED Coalition governance of groundwater resources and is not worthy of your Solar San Antonio approval.

Sisters of the Divine Providence Sincerely, Travis County Green Party Springs Alliance Water Aid – Texas State University Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Annalisa Peace, Executive Director Wimberley Valley Watershed Association PO Box 15618 San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 320-6294 PO Box 15618