Title
Consider recommendation from EAA staff to approve an Interlocal Cooperation Contract with Texas A&M University AgriLife Research, in an amount not to exceed $1,248,500.00, for a land management and recharge study.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 04-26-143 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving Contract No. 26-009-AMS between the EAA and the Texas A&M University AgriLife Research, in an amount not to exceed $1,248,500.00, upon signature by both parties, through December 31, 2031.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider an EAA staff recommendation to approve a contract between the EAA and Texas A&M University AgriLife Research for a study investigating land management and recharge. This project represents a five-year research initiative to evaluate whether nature-based land management practices can improve groundwater recharge quantity and quality in the Edwards Aquifer.
Key Research Questions
• Can nature-based solutions measurably enhance groundwater recharge and water quality?
• How do infiltration, soil conditions, and land management practices affect recharge dynamics?
• What roles do urbanization, woody plant cover, grazing, and ephemeral streams play?
• How significant is upland (distributed) recharge compared to channelized recharge?
Study Approach
Research will be conducted across three EAA-managed properties:
• Field Research Park (existing monitoring infrastructure)
• Maverick Ranch
• Dischinger-Brehmer Ranch
The project combines field monitoring, soil analysis, hydrologic modeling, and land-use assessment over a five-year period (2026-2031).
Core Objectives
1. Analyze Existing Hydrologic Data (Ongoing)
Leverage current monitoring (rainfall, runoff, groundwater, soil moisture, evapotranspiration) to better understand recharge processes and water budgets in karst systems.
2. Assess Urban Expansion Impacts (Years 1-2)
Quantify historical and projected urban growth (1985-future) and evaluate its impact on groundwater recharge using mapping and AI-based modeling.
3. Evaluate Soil Health (Ongoing)
Conduct comprehensive soil physical, chemical, and biological assessments to determine how vegetation (e.g., woody encroachment) and land condition influence infiltration and recharge.
4. Install Runoff Monitoring Plots (Years 1-3)
Measure small-scale runoff to estimate distributed (upland) recharge versus catchment-scale flows.
5. Expand Instrumented Catchments (Years 2-4)
Install additional monitoring sites at newly acquired properties to improve watershed-scale understanding.
6. Test Land Management Practices (Years 2-5)
Establish demonstration areas to evaluate impacts of brush management and grazing intensity on recharge and ecosystem response.
Key Deliverables
• A peer-reviewed publication will be submitted on each of the six objective measures
• Expanded monitoring network and datasets
• Final report summarizing management implications and best practices
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
Texas A&M University AgriLife Research is not an M/WBE vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item helps build and/or create Greater Understanding and Management Through Science - a key objective in achieving the EAA’s goals identified in the 2021-30 Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost associated with this contract is $1,248,500.00. Because this contract spans five EAA fiscal years, funding for the first year ($249,700.00) is available in the 2026 operating budget. Funding for the remaining four years of the contract will be included in the subsequent annual operating budgets.