Below is an Electronic Version of an Out-of-Print Publication You can scroll to view or print this publication here, or you can borrow a paper copy from the Texas State Library, 512/463-5455. You can also view a copy at the TCEQ Library, 512/239-0020, or borrow one through your branch library using interlibrary loan. The TCEQ’s current print publications are listed in our catalog at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/. Priority Groundwater Management Areas and Groundwater Conservation Districts, Report to the 81st Texas Legislature Prepared by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Water Development Board SFR-053/06 January 2009 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Buddy Garcia, Chairman Larry R Soward, Commissioner Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., Commissioner Mark R. Vickery, P.G., Executive Director Texas Water Development Board James E. Herring, Chairman Jack Hunt, Vice Chairman Tomas Weir Labat III, Member Joe M. Crutcher, Member Edward G. Vaughan, Member Lewis H. McMahan, Member J. Kevin Ward, Executive Administrator This report has been prepared by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board in accordance with Section 35.018 of the Texas Water Code. Authorization for use or reproduction of any original material contained in this publication—that is, not obtained from other sources—is freely granted. The TCEQ and TWDB would appreciate acknowledgment. Copies of this publication are available for public use through the Texas State Library, other state depository libraries, and the TCEQ Library, in compliance with state depository law. For more information on TCEQ publications call 512/239-0028 or visit our Web site at: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/publications Published and distributed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality PO Box 13087 Austin, Texas 78711-3087 The TCEQ is an equal opportunity employer. The agency does not allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this document may be requested in alternate formats by contacting the TCEQ at (512)239-0028, Fax 239-4488, or 1-800-RELAY-TX (TDD), or by writing P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. ii Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Purpose and Scope ...................................................................................................................... 5 Interagency Coordination and Implementation........................................................................... 6 Acts of the 80th Legislature Affecting Groundwater Conservation Districts................................... 9 Groundwater Conservation District Authority............................................................................ 9 Groundwater Conservation District Creation And Dissolution ................................................ 10 Amendments for Specific Groundwater Conservation Districts............................................... 11 Priority Groundwater Management Area Program ....................................................................... 15 Background ............................................................................................................................... 15 PGMA Studies and Designations.............................................................................................. 22 Central Texas Trinity Aquifer PGMA .................................................................................. 22 Recommended Northern Trinity and Woodbine Aquifers PGMA ....................................... 23 Status and TCEQ Actions in Designated PGMAs .................................................................... 25 Dallam County PGMA ......................................................................................................... 25 Hill Country PGMA ............................................................................................................. 26 PGMA Program Planning ......................................................................................................... 26 Groundwater Conservation District Creation................................................................................ 27 Confirmation of New Districts During the 2007–2008 Biennium............................................ 27 Addition of Territory to Existing Districts................................................................................ 35 Failed District Creations ........................................................................................................... 35 District Activities and Planning..................................................................................................... 39 Activities of Existing Districts.................................................................................................. 39 Groundwater Management Plans .............................................................................................. 45 Development and Adoption of Plans.................................................................................... 45 District Coordination ............................................................................................................ 46 Groundwater Management Plan Approval and Implementation................................................... 47 TWDB Plan Approval During the 2007-2008 Biennium.......................................................... 47 TCEQ Noncompliance Review................................................................................................. 50 Groundwater Management Areas.................................................................................................. 53 Texas Water Development Board Rule Changes...................................................................... 54 Implementation of HB 1763 Joint Planning.............................................................................. 54 State Assistance and Educational Programming ........................................................................... 57 Technical Assistance................................................................................................................. 57 Educational Programming......................................................................................................... 60 Groundwater Management Issues ................................................................................................. 63 Recommendations to the 81st Legislature...................................................................................... 65 References ..................................................................................................................................... 67 iii Appendixes 1. Priority Groundwater Management Area Studies and Reports ............................................... A-1 2. Major and Minor Aquifer Maps .............................................................................................. A-7 3. Groundwater Consevations District Contacts........................................................................ A-13 Tables 1. Acts of the 80th Legislature Amending Texas Water Code, Chapters 35 and 36 ........................ 9 2. GCD Creation and Dissolution Acts of the 80th Legislature ..................................................... 10 3. Acts of the 80th Legislature Amending Specific GCDs............................................................. 11 4. Priority Groundwater Management Area Studies ..................................................................... 17 5. Status of GCD Elections During the 2007-2008 Biennium ...................................................... 30 6. Failed GCDs (Since 1989)......................................................................................................... 37 7. District Activities ...................................................................................................................... 41 8. Status of Management Plan Approval, January 2007 through October 2008 ........................... 48 9. Status of Management Plan Due Dates from 2009 through 2011 ............................................. 49 10. Number of Meetings Held for Joint Planning in Groundwater Management Areas ............... 55 Figures 1. Priority Groundwater Management Areas (PGMA) ................................................................. 18 2. Areas Evaluated in PGMA Program ......................................................................................... 19 3. PGMAs and GCDs .................................................................................................................... 20 4. PGMA Program and GCD Initiatives........................................................................................ 21 5. Existing GCDs........................................................................................................................... 33 6. Groundwater Management Areas in Texas ............................................................................... 56 iv Executive Summary This report provides information to the legislative leadership on activities undertaken during the preceding two years relating to the study and designation