Title
Receive report from EAA staff on the current settlement approach for Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders and owners of limited production wells who exceed annual authorized withdrawal amounts.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
This item is for discussion purposes only. No action is required.
SUMMARY
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Permits/Enforcement Committee to receive a report from EAA staff regarding the general EAA rules compliance approach to Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders and limited production well (LPW) owners who exceeded authorized groundwater withdrawals (over-pumped) in 2016.
Staff will review the process of identifying EAA groundwater withdrawal permit holders who might have over-pumped, and how those permit holders are contacted and how settlements are assessed. In addition, staff will present the compliance approach for owners of LPWs that pumped more than the allowed 1.4 acre-feet per calendar year. If the committee agrees with the current approaches, EAA staff will proceed to settle matters of over-pumping that occurred in 2016 as described therein.
At the March 28 committee meeting, staff will review current compliance and settlement processes and answer questions regarding these matters.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item does not relate to a specific goal or action step within the Strategic Plan, but supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Revenue received through compliance settlements is dedicated to the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund. This revenue is used solely to fund projects expressly devoted to the protection and benefit of the endangered species associated with the Edwards Aquifer. No revenue derived from compliance settlements is used to fund the operating expenses or capital purchases of the EAA.