Title
Receive report from EAA staff on research on aquifer vulnerability and interformational flow studies.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
None. This item is for informational purposes only.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Research & Technology Committee to receive a report from EAA staff summarizing the current status of the Interformational Flow Project (IFF) and the associated Vulnerability Assessment Project.
The IFF seeks to address uncertainties with respect to the amounts and locations of hydraulic communication between the Trinity and Edwards aquifers. A report summarizing results of the first phase of the IFF will be completed in 2020. The Vulnerability Assessment Project was initiated to gather information to understand how and where surface water connects to groundwater in order to assess the vulnerability of the aquifers to potential pollution. Both projects deal with connections between the Contributing Zone and Recharge Zone.
EAA staff will present a summary of the current status of both projects and will provide an update on technical approaches to each, given results of the studies to date. Finally, staff will outline goals for phase two of the IFF.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the EAA’s policy direction as set forth in the EAA 2016-20 Strategic Plan: Goal E. Conduct Research that Enhances Understanding and Effective Management of the Aquifer.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.