Title
Consider recommendation from the Permits/Enforcement Committee to approve a moratorium on the processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board approve a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Permits/Enforcement Committee recommendation to impose a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of specific applications to convert base irrigation groundwater ("BIG"). The moratorium only impacts applications to convert BIG based on changes of land use or applications to convert BIG due to the issuance of stacked BIG. The moratorium is necessary in order to provide time for the EAA to amend the EAA's rules consistent with the amendments recently made to the EAA Act through the passage of HB 3656 by the 86th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, and to avoid the situation in which new BIG conversion applications based on land use chages or stacked BIG are filed prior to fully implementing the amendments. It is intended that this moratorium would only be in place for the time it takes to make necessary changes to the current rules. Staff anticipates that the moratorium would expire no later than December 31, 2019. The draft moratorium, which has been prepared by General Counsel, is attached.
At the July 23 meeting, the Permits/Enforcement Committee voted to recommend the board approve a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
This agenda item does not involve the procurement of goods or services by the EAA and, therefore, this section is not applicable.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item does not relate to a specific goal within the Strategic Plan, but supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.