MANAGEMENT PLAN

DISTRICT MISSION AND GOAL

The mission of the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District is to manage, protect, and conserve the groundwater resources of Dewitt County, Texas, while protecting private property rights and promoting constructive and sustainable development in Dewitt County.

The goal of the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District in pursuing its mission is the sustainability of the groundwater resources of Dewitt County.

STATEMENT OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The groundwater resources of Dewitt County (“the County”) are of vital importance to all citizens, and as the economic development of the County continues to increase, additional pressure will be placed on the groundwater resources of the County. The Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District (“the District”), managed and controlled locally, is the most practical means of directing development and preventing over-development of the natural resources of the County.

The District can achieve its mission and goals by increasing the quantity and quality of knowledge regarding the groundwater resources of the County, encouraging the most efficient use of groundwater, preserving and improving groundwater quality, and increasing public awareness and education of groundwater issues. Believing that local control of local resources is critical to the District’s mission and goal, the District will monitor the activities of the Texas Legislature and of Texas Water Planning Groups, along with the rules and orders of state agencies which may affect the private ownership, use, and management of groundwater.

The District will work in cooperation with the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District, and the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District to manage and protect those groundwater resources that are shared by any or all of these counties.

A major threat to the mission of the District is management of the groundwater resources of Dewitt County without a thorough understanding of the aquifers and their hydro geologic properties. This Management Plan will be a tool for the directors of the District and for the managers of the District’s water resources, the landowners of Dewitt County. The District’s directors regard all landowners as the District’s partners in managing our groundwater resources.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT

The District was created by the citizens of Dewitt County through a confirmation election on

November 6, 2001. The current Board of Directors (“the Board”) are Errol J. Dietze (Chairman), Lias B. Steen (Vice Chairman), Gary Colman (Secretary), Peggy Laging and Robert C. Davis. At the time of the adoption of this Management Plan, the District’s General Manager is Bob McCurdy. The boundaries of the District are coterminous with those of Dewitt County, Texas. The economy of the County and the District is dominated by agriculture, tourism, and light industrial activities. Agricultural income is derived primarily from beef cattle production, hunting, and outdoor recreation.

LOCATION OF THE DISTRICT

Location of the Pecan Valley Water Conservation District is within the physical confines of DeWitt County. DeWitt County is in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of south-central Texas. It is bounded on the south and southeast by Goliad and Victoria Counties, on the northeast by Lavaca County, on the north by Gonzales County, and on the west by Karnes County. Cuero, the county seat, is about 80 miles southeast of San Antonio, approximately 30 miles east of Victoria, Texas, and is at the junction of State Hwys 183, 77, and 87. The county has an area of 910 square miles and a population of 20,114. There are four major municipalities in DeWitt Co. that rely on the available water resources. Cuero, Yoakum, Yorktown, and Nordheim all have municipal needs or growth and maintenance. Also included are the outlying local communities of Meyersville, Arneckeville, and Westhoff.

TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE

DeWitt County land surfaces are gently rolling except for a small part in the Eastern county which is almost flat. Recharge areas are mostly along the northwest county line. Altitude of land surface ranges from slightly less than 150 feet in the southeastern quadrant of the county to more than 540 feet in the northwest, approximately one-half miles east of the junction of the Gonzlales, Karnes, and DeWitt County lines.

Most of the county lies in the drainage basin of the Guadalupe River, one of the major rivers in Texas. A small area in the northern part of the county lies in the Lavaca River Basin and a small area in the south drains into the San Antonio River. The Guadalupe River, a perennial stream, is fed by large springs at New Braunfels and San Marcos which help to maintain the low flow of the river in DeWitt County in times of drought. It is estimated that 60-75% of the summer flow of the Guadalupe is required by the spring flows contributing to the water in the Guadalupe River. (Groundwater Resources of DeWitt Co., TX-Texas Water Commission Bulletin 651 Aug 1965-Reprinted by TWDB-May 1970).

GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

The principal water-bearing formations, from oldest to youngest, underlying the county are the Catahoula Tuff, Oakville Sandstone, Lagarto Clay, and Goliad Sand; collectively they comprise the Gulf Coast aquifer. The alluvial deposits associated with the Guadalupe River also comprise an aquifer of local importance.

SURFACE WATER RESOURCES

The only surface water in Dewitt County is the Guadalupe River. According to information from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, there is a supply of surface water available to meet future water demands within the District. That supply could be provided by a combination of existing and proposed run-of-river water rights, firmed up by stored water from Canyon Reservoir during periods of extreme drought.

Drought contingency plan

A contingency plan to cope with the effects of water supply shortages due to climatic or other conditions may be developed by the District and will be adopted by the Board after notice and hearing. In developing the contingency plan, the District will consider the economic effect of conservation measures upon all water storage conditions, the unique hydrogeologic conditions of the aquifer and the appropriate conditions under which to implement the contingency plan.

The drought contingency plan will be considered after the District has done water level monitoring across the District and compared this data with the rainfall trends during that period.

PROJECTED WATER SUPPLIES

In order to make a reasonable computation of the amount of water that might be made available to wells in DeWitt County, several assumptions were made. First, it was assumed that wells were installed along a line extending northeastward through the approximate middle of the county and that the wells were pumped in such a way as to lower the water levels to 400 feet below the land surface along the line. It was assumed that during the pumping period, no water was recharged to the aquifer except along a line approximating the northwestern boundary of the county and that the recharge was adequate to keep the altitude of the water levels everywhere the same along the line of recharge. It was assumed also that the altitude of water levels was the same and remained the same both along the southeastern boundary of the county and at all points along the line of discharging wells. By lowering the water levels to 400 feet, a large segment of the aquifer would be dewatered; therefore, the coefficient of storage was assumed to be 0.10. The coefficient of transmissibility of the aquifer was assumed to be 75,000 gpd per foot. It was assumed that the hydraulic gradient in the aquifer is the slope of a straight line from the water level at the line of recharge to the water level along the line of discharging wells. The average transmission capacity is based on the 1962 hydraulic gradient and on the maximum hydraulic gradient.

Under these assumed conditions, about 12 million acre-feet of water would be available from storage in the Gulf Coast aquifer by lowering the water levels to 400 feet along the line of discharging wells. At the present (1962) hydraulic gradient of 1.9 feet per mile, the aquifer transmits about 6,500 acre-feet of water per year (6 mgd), which is nearly twice the 1962 pumping rate. At the average gradient (16.7 feet per mile) under the assumed conditions, however, the aquifer would transmit about 55,000 acre-feet per year (50 mgd). After the water levels were lowered to 400 feet, the aquifer would transmit about 100,000 acre-feet per year (90mgd). Actually, the flow of water could be increased by installing the wells closer to the line of recharge, thereby increasing the maximum hydraulic gradient.

At the present (1962) rate of pumpage, about 3,500 acre-feet of water per year, and assuming no recharge to the aquifer, it would take about 3,400 years to pump the 12 million acre-feet of water that would be released from storage while the water level was being lowered to 400 feet along the line of discharge. If withdrawals were increased to as much as 110,000 acre-feet per year (100 mgd) and assuming full recharge and an average hydraulic gradient, it would take about 200 years to lower the water levels to 400 feet along the line of discharge; it would take only about 40 years of pumping 330,000 acre-feet per year (300 mgd) to lower the levels to 400 feet. (Groundwater Resources of DeWitt Co., Ibid.)

GROUNDWATER USAGE AND DEMAND

Current groundwater usage in the District is approximately 6,029 acre-feet per year. Future demand during the next ten years is projected to decrease to approximately 5, 818 acre-feet per year. The estimated annual recharge in the District is 7,287 acre-feet. (Region L Water Plan) There are an estimated 450 square miles of effective recharge area in DeWitt County. The recharge rate could be increased with additional precipitation and reduction in vegetation and runoff.

MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES

This Management Plan (“the Plan” or “this Plan”) has been adopted by the Board in accordance with Section 36.1071 of the Texas Water Code (“the Water Code”) and will remain in effect for a period of ten years unless modified by the Board prior to the end of the planning period. The District, in partnership with the landowners of the District, will manage the groundwater within the District in accordance with its mission and goal while seeking to maintain the economic viability of all resource user groups, public and private. With due consideration to the economic, cultural, historical, and environmental activities occurring within the District, the District will identify and engage in such activities and practices, which, if implemented, would result the sustainability of the groundwater resources within the District, including reductions of groundwater use where necessary for that result.

A network of observation wells will be established and maintained in cooperation with private landowners in order to monitor changing storage conditions of groundwater within the District. The District will make regular assessments of water supply and groundwater storage conditions and will report those conditions to the public. The District will undertake and cooperate with investigations of the groundwater resources within the District and will make the results of investigations available to the public.

The District will adopt Rules from time to time (“the District Rules”) which may regulate groundwater withdrawals by means of production limits and fees, spacing regulations, and export fees and requirements. The District may deny a well construction permit or limit groundwater withdrawals in accordance with the District Rules. In making a determination to deny a permit or limit groundwater withdrawals or export, the District will weigh the public benefit against individual hardship after considering all appropriate testimony. The relevant factors to be considered in making a determination to deny a permit or limit groundwater withdrawals will include:

(1) the projected effect on other wells, landowners, and groundwater users in the District;

(2) the projected environmental and economic effects of the water use;

(3) the projected effects on aquifer conditions;

(4) any projected subsidence resulting from the proposed water use;

(5) relationship of the proposed water use to historical uses of water in the district;

(6) the availability of water in the district and in the area of the well being considered;

(7) the availability of feasible and practicable alternative supplies to the applicant;

(8) the amount and purposes of use for water;

(9) any projected public benefit of the proposed use;

(10) the approved regional water plan and certified district management plan.

In pursuit of the District’s mission of managing, protecting, and conserving the resource, while protecting private property rights and promoting constructive and sustainable development in Dewitt County, the District may be forced to require reductions of groundwater withdrawals from existing commercial or non-exempt wells. The District will not regulate domestic or livestock wells. To achieve this purpose, the District may, at the Board’s discretion, amend or revoke any permit after notice and hearing. The determination to seek the amendment or revocation of a permit by the District will be based on aquifer conditions observed by the District from time to time, as well as those factors listed above in relation to initial permits. If necessary, the District will enforce the terms and conditions of the permits and the District Rules by enjoining the permit holder in a court of competent jurisdiction as provide for in TWC 36.102.

ACTIONS, PROCEDURES, PERFORMANCE

The District will implement the provisions of this Plan and will utilize the provision of this Plan as guidelines for determining the direction or priority for all District activities. All operations of the District, all agreements entered into by the District, and any additional planning efforts in which the District may participate will be consistent with the provisions of this Plan. This Plan will remain in effect for a period of 10 years or until a revised or amended Plan may be certified, whichever occurs first.

The District has adopted or will adopt the District Rules relating to the permitting of wells and the production of groundwater. The District Rules shall be as required by the Water Code and the provisions of this Plan. All District Rules will be enforced. The promulgation and enforcement of the District Rules will be based on the best technical evidence available.

The District shall treat all citizens equally. Citizens may apply to the District for a waiver in the enforcement of one or more of the District Rules on grounds of adverse economic effects or unique local conditions. In granting or denying any waiver to any District Rule, the Board shall consider the potential for adverse effects on adjacent landowners. The exercise of discretion in the granting or denying of any waiver by the Board, shall not be construed as limiting the power of the Board.

In the implementation of this Plan and in the management of groundwater resources within the District, the District will seek the cooperation of all residents, landowners, and well owners of the District. All activities of the District will be undertaken in cooperation and coordination with any appropriate state, regional, or local water management entity.

ANNUAL REPORT

The General Manager of the District (or, in the absence of a General Manager, the Chairman of the Board) will prepare and present an annual report to the Board of Directors (“the Annual Report”) evaluating the impact of the District’s activities on its goals, management objectives, and performance standards (as enumerated below). The Annual Report will be presented at the last meeting of the Board of Directors in each fiscal year. The Annual Report will include the number of instances that each activity of the District occurred during the year (such as the monitoring of wells for water quality and levels, permitting, inspecting for permit compliance, securing abandoned wells), together with an estimate of the expenditure of staff time and cost so that the effectiveness and efficiency of each activity may be evaluated.

The annual District Manager’s Report will be received by the District Board and upon approval shall be available to the public at the District Office. The Board of Directors will meet at least quarterly to review all considerations by the District to fully comply with all rules and regulations set forth by the Texas Water Development Board.

GOALS, MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES,

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The goals, management objectives, and performance standards of the District are:

1. GOAL: Implement a system to improve the understanding of groundwater in the District.

1.1. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: On an annual basis, obtain all the new information gathered or generated on wells in Dewitt County by the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or any other water resource agency.

1.1.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report annually to the Board on the number of requests made for information and the information received.

1.2. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Enlist private landowner cooperation to provide five additional observation wells each year to monitor water levels and/or production until the District has thirty (30) observation wells (or such lesser number as the Board may determine be adequate to monitor the groundwater resources of the County).

1.2.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report to the Board annually on all new observation wells.

1.3. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Establish a database consisting of at least 5% of the permitted and registered wells in Dewitt County by October 1, 2004, 10% by October 1, 2005, and 20% by October 1, 2007.

1.3.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Annually, provide to the Board a list of all new wells added to the database and an updated percentage of the wells in the database.

1.4. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Annually, evaluate and estimate current annual aquifer recharge, discharge, movement, and storage values.

1.4.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Annually, report to the Board the evaluation and estimate of aquifer characteristics for each aquifer.

1.5. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Compile a list of water use practices in the District by conducting a survey of existing water use practices by well owners.

1.5.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Annually, report the results to the Board.

2. GOAL: Implement a system of rules for the drilling, completing, equipping, and operating of water wells by October 1, 2004.

2.1. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Review rules adopted by other groundwater conservation districts.

2.1.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Review and report to the Board at the first meeting after July 1, 2004, together with any changes recommended to the District’s Rules.

2.2. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: All current rules and procedures will be reviewed and revised to address the needs of the District every two years or as often as the Board may deem necessary.

2.2.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Annually, report to the Board on the number of recommended changes to insure that District rules meet the District needs.

3. GOAL: Implement or recommend management strategies that will provide for the most efficient use of groundwater and for the long-term the sustainability and conservation of the groundwater resources.

3.1. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Disperse educational information at least twice annually regarding conservation practices for the efficient use of water resources.

3.1.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report to the Board annually the number of times that educational information was dispersed, including articles in local newspapers pertaining to the economic and environmental benefits of implementing efficient water use practices and the number of water conservation literature packets and other information handed out and distributed.

3.2. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: The District will register and permit all new wells, unless exempt by the District Rules.

3.2.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report to the Board annually on the number of wells registered to be drilled and permitted in the District.

3.3. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: The District will file a drilling log or acceptable alternative for each new well drilled within the District that is submitted by the driller.

3.3.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report to the Board annually on the number of driller’s records and reports filed by the District since the previous year.

3.4. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Beginning January 1, 2005, file reports on static levels provided by well service operators.

3.4.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Report to the Board annually the number of static level reports filed by the District based on reports received from well service operators.

4. GOAL: Recommend management strategies that will protect and enhance the quantity and quality of recoverable water by controlling and preventing waste.

4.1. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: File all reports of wasteful practices within the District that are reported to the District.

4.1.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Provide a report to the Board annually indicating the number and location of wasteful practices reported

4.2. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Encourage voluntary metering of non-exempt wells and apply for a grant to provide meters by October 1, 2004.

4.2.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Provide a report to the Board at the first meeting after October 1, 2004, and then annually indicating that an application was made and the number of meters installed on wells in the District.