Title
Receive report from EAA staff on compliance efforts with permit holders and limited production well owners who exceeded authorized groundwater withdrawals in 2017.
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 regarding settlements with Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights permit holders and owners of a limited production well (LPW) who exceeded authorized annual groundwater withdrawals in 2017.
In 2017, Critical Period Management (CPM) conditions were reached in the San Antonio pool (being in Stage 1 for 61 days) resulting in an overall annual reduction of 3.4%; the Uvalde pool remained out of CPM conditions in 2017. Due to the CPM reductions, the total authorized groundwater available for use in 2017 was 555,472 acre-feet, against a total of 359,852 acre-feet pumped. EAA staff identified 31 permit holders who exceeded their 2017 annual permitted amounts, as adjusted by CPM, by a combined total of about 783 acre-feet.
Of the 31 permit holders, five over-pumped due to CPM reductions only, 12 over-pumped for the first time, and two also failed to timely file required 2017 CPM monthly use reports. In addition, nine of these matters were settled with either a ‘no violation’ judgement or settled administratively (paying $200) after providing additional evidence to staff, and three sought deferred settlements though a counter-offer to the board (totaling $52,602.99 in deferred settlements). Fourteen over-pumpers paid their settlement offer to the EAA, and along with the administrative settlements and counter-offer settlements, EAA has collected $36,503.98 from 23 permit holders. In addition, six over-pumpers attended the EAA Well Owners Workshop as part of their settlement agreement.
EAA staff continues to work with four over-pumpers attempting to achieve a settlement.
Four ow...
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