Title
Receive report from EAA staff on the current settlement approach for groundwater use non-reporting and for exceeding authorized groundwater withdrawals during 2024 by both Permitted Users and Owners of Limited Production Wells.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
This item is for discussion purposes only. No action required.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Permits/Enforcement Committee to receive a report from EAA staff on the EAA's current settlement approach, as outlined in EAA’s Compliance and Settlement Guidelines (Settlement Guidelines) for regulated well owners who fail to file an Annual Groundwater Use Report ("non-reporting") and for permittees and owners of limited production wells who exceeded their annual authorized groundwater withdrawal amounts ("over-pumped") during calendar year 2024. Settlements for 2024 over-pumping reflect the effects of Critical Period Management (CPM) conditions reached during the last year.
EAA staff will be prepared to discuss and answer questions from the Committee.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item helps build and/or create Assuredness in Regulatory Programming - a key objective in achieving the EAA’s goals identified in the 2021-30 Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Revenue received through compliance settlements is dedicated to the Conservation/Aquifer Protection Fund. This revenue is used solely to fund projects expressly devoted to the protection and benefit of the Edwards Aquifer. No revenue derived from compliance settlements is used to fund operating expenses of the EAA.