Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors met Aug. 28

Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors met Aug. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Directors of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District ("District") met in regular session, open to the public and held in person in the Lone Star GCD – James B. "Jim" Wesley Board Room located at 655 Conroe Park North Drive, Conroe, Texas, and remotely via the publicly accessible webinar/telephone conference call within the boundaries of the District on August 28, 2023

1. CALL TO ORDER:

President Spigener presided and called to order the regular Board of Directors meeting at 6:03 PM, announcing that it was open to the public.

2. ROLL CALL:

The roll was called of the members of the Board of Directors, to wit:

Jim Spigener

Stuart Traylor Janice Thigpen

Jonathan Prykryl (Virtual)

Jon Paul Bouché

Garry Dent

Seven members of the Board were present, thus constituting a quorum of the Board of Directors. In attendance at said meeting were Kirstin Hein, Justin Saenz, Stacey V. Reese, District Counsel; and members of the public. Copies of the public sign-in sheets and comment cards received are attached hereto as Exhibit "A".

3. Vice President Traylor lead the Prayer and Secretary Thigpen recited the pledges of Allegiance.

4. Discussion, review, and possible action on instituting a Temporary Drought Buffer and possible action to adopt Resolution #23-006 enacting a Temporary Drought Buffer.

President Spigener began by addressing the pressing issue of drought conditions in Montgomery County. He highlighted that the Rule Committee had convened to discuss the evolving drought situation and that they had reviewed a critical report from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). This report revealed a significant and concerning development: the entire county was now categorized under drought level 3 (D3).

Recognizing the gravity of this situation and the potential hardships it posed to the community, the board proposed a resolution aimed at implementing a Temporary Drought Buffer for the year 2023. This proposed resolution included two key components. Firstly, it suggested a retroactive 10% increase in permitted pumping levels for all water users, applicable for the entire calendar year. This measure was intended to provide immediate relief to water consumers grappling with the drought's impact.

Secondly, the board contemplated another adjustment. If, at any point, 25% of Montgomery County entered into a more severe drought condition, specifically reaching drought level 4 (D4), the resolution proposed to raise the pumping allocation further. This increase would be adjusted to 15%, offering greater relief to water users facing even more dire circumstances.

Director Dent expressed his support for the initial 10% increase and endorsed the idea of a potential 15% adjustment if the county were to escalate to D4 conditions. His viewpoint was echoed by Vice President Traylor and Director Bouché, both of whom favored this approach.

President Spigener underscored the importance of actively managing water resources during this challenging period and stressed the significance of addressing overpumping concerns. He emphasized that those customers who diligently adhered to drought contingencies would be favored if overpumping became a problem.

To further encourage proactive water conservation measures, Director Dent suggested sending notices to water providers and customers, raising awareness about the need for water conservation and adherence to drought contingencies.

In response to questions posed by Ms. Reese and Ms. Kouba regarding the TWDB reporting process, it was clarified that the TWDB's reports are derived from data sources like the U.S. Drought Monitor, which provides a county-wide assessment of drought conditions.

President Spigener sought reassurance on the reliability of obtaining the 25% figure through the current reporting method, to which Ms. Reese confirmed their confidence in the data.

President Spigener called for a motion. Secretary Thigpen moved to accept Resolution 23-006 in action the Temporary Drought Buffer with the annual production limitations for all permits this temporary increase to 10% for calendar year 2023 [January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023]. If 25% or greater of Montgomery County enters into D4 Drought conditions as reported by the TWBD and U.S. Drought Monitor on or before the end of calendar year 2023 [December 31, 2023], the annual production limitations for all permits will be temporarily increased by 15% for the calendar year [January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023]. Director Bouché seconded the motion.

Motion passed to accept Resolution 23-006 in action the Temporary Drought Buffer with the annual production limitations for all permits this temporary increase to 10% for calendar year 2023 [January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023]. If 25% or greater of Montgomery County enters into D4 Drought conditions as reported by the TWBD and U.S. Drought Monitor on or before the end of calendar year 2023 [December 31, 2023], the annual production limitations for all permits will be temporarily increased by 15% for the calendar year [January 1, 2023 to December 31. 2023].

5. Adjourn:

Director Dent moved to adjourn, Vice President Traylor seconded the motion, President Spigener called for a vote and the motion passed. The Special Board of Directors meeting adjourned at 2:10 PM

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