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Consider recommendation from EAA staff to ratify the General Manager’s approval and execution of ASR springflow protection program forbearance agreements with Farr Investments, LP and Robert J. Grossenbacher for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Forbearance Program, in support of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan, in the total amount of $39,360.00.
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STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board ratify General Manager approval and execution of springflow protection program forbearance agreements with the permit holders listed below, to the EAA for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program in support of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan and authorize the General Manager to execute the agreements.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board to consider an EAA staff recommendation to ratify the General Manager’s approval and execution of springflow protection program forbearance agreements for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program in support of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) received in November and December 2020. At the November 10, 2020 meeting, the Board of Directors authorized the General Manager to take such action for any Agreements received during those months.
The EAHCP includes several measures intended to minimize and mitigate the impact of the use of Edwards groundwater on federally-listed threatened and endangered species associated with the Edwards Aquifer. A significant component of the EAHCP is the use of the ASR Project of the San Antonio Water System as a long-term conservation measure to: (1) offset SAWS pumping from the Edwards Aquifer; and (2) help maintain minimum spring flow at Comal and San Marcos Springs. Through this partnership effort, the EAA has been tasked with acquiring 50,000 acre-feet of permitted Edwards Aquifer groundwater rights through leases and forbearance agreements. Leased groundwater rights will be stored in the Twin Oaks ASR Project of the Sa...
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