Kenedy County GCD, Mary Sahs

KENEDY COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

October 29, 2014Kingsville, Texas

Presentation by Mary K. Sahs to the Texas Association of Groundwater Districts

MISSION STATEMENT

The District’s mission is to develop and implement an efficient, economical and environmentally sound

groundwater management program to protect and enhance

the groundwater resources of the District.

HISTORY OF KENEDY COUNTY GCD

Created in 2003 by the 78th Texas Legislature under H.B. 3374.

Confirmed by an election held on November 2, 2004.

Additional land in Brooks, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties annexed in response to landowner petitions.

TERRITORY

All of Kenedy County Parts of Brooks, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, and Willacy counties

Estimated population = 450 - 500No major population centers

RULESRULE 5: REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING

 5.1 Well Drilling, Completion, and Water Data Reporting 5.2 Annual Water Production Report for Non-Exempt Wells

5.3 Plugging Report 5.4 Annual Water Production Report for Exempt Oil and Gas Water Wells

5.5 Water Wells Associated with Uranium Exploration and Mining

5.6 Texas Surface Coal Mining and Restoration Act and Water Wells

5.7 Water Pollution Event Reporting

RULE 9: WATER WELLS ASSOCIATED WITH URANIUM EXPLORATION AND MINING

9.1 Uranium Exploration Activities9.2 Development of an Area Permit Application

9.3 Activities Affecting Groundwater Allocation

RULE 10.4: SPACING FROM PROPERTY LINES

Wells –Pumping Capacity

(gallons per minute)

Distance of New Water Well from Property Lines

(in feet)

Less than or equal to 20 gpm 100

20 to 250 gpm5 feet per every

gallon per minute

Greater than 250 gpm10 feet per every gallon per minute

OPERATING PERMITS

PERPETUALINCLUDE PRODUCTION LIMITS

LESS THAN 500 AFY APPROVED BY GM

True correlative rightsPrior to first MAG –

Existing wells = highest annual production preceding 5 years plus 25% or beneficial use without waste plus 25% - this becomes the “set aside” in the formula

New wells = 0.75 acre-inches per acre per year

When MAG issued, MAG changes, or territory is added, production limits change except for “set aside” wells

PRODUCTION LIMITS

PRODUCTION LIMITS

Formula = MAG divided by number of surface acres in district minus set aside for exempt wells and minus set aside for “existing” permitted wells

Current production limit = 0.6 acre-inches per acre per year

RULE 13: WATER WELLS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL, GAS, AND MINING ACTIVITIES OTHER

THAN IN SITU URANIUM MINING

13.1 District Jurisdiction over Water Wells Associated with Oil, Gas, and Mining Activities

13.2 Water Wells Associated with Mining Activities Authorized Under Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 134

13.3 Water Wells Associated With Oil and Gas Activities

Located in GMA 16. Most of the District in Coastal Bend Regional Water Planning Area (N).

Territory in Hidalgo and Willacy counties in Region M Water Planning Area.

JOINT PLANNING

The primary economic activities within the District are oil and gas production and agriculture (primarily livestock).

Windfarming; uranium exploration

WATER WELL DATABASE

WATER WELL MONITORING

WATER WELL MONITORING

The District has been very involved in rulemaking at the TCEQ and RRC regarding uranium exploration and mining.

At the time, there were controversies in near-by counties about whether water well contamination had been caused by uranium exploration

In order to establish background water quality, the District took pre-exploration water samples from wells within and surrounding the first (and until now – only) uranium exploration permitted area in the District

Norias

NORIAS BIRDS

Pygmy Owls

KING’S INN

BOARD MEETING AT KENEDY MUSEUM CARRIAGE HOUSE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mary K. SahsMarySahs@sahslaw.com

512-326-2556

Andy Garzageneral_manager@kenedygcd.com

361-294-5336