Kenedy County GCD, Mary Sahs
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KENEDY COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT October 29, 2014 Kingsville, Texas Presentation by Mary K. Sahs to the Texas Association of Groundwater Districts
Transcript of 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
