Title
Consider recommendation from the Permits/Enforcement Committee to restore limited production well status for the wells owned by St. George Maronite Catholic Church, based on the owners' demonstrated ability to pump within annual groundwater withdrawal limits.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt an Order Vacating the Order Issued on June 9, 2020, Rescinding Limited Production Well Status Pursuant to Section 711.70(b) of the EAA Rules relative to Well No. W107-118 owned by St. George Maronite Catholic Church.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is to consider a Permits/Enforcement Committee recommendation to reinstate limited production well status to the well owner above based on the following facts.
Following the passage of Senate Bill 1241 during the 2013 Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, the EAA adopted new rules in December 2013 creating a new category of exempt well called a Limited Production Well (LPW). To be recognized as an LPW, a well owner must: (1) have an Edwards Aquifer well that was drilled prior to June 1, 2013; (2) amend his or her well registration; (3) have a registered meter on the well; (4) submit annual use reports at the end of each calendar year documenting that no more than 1.4 acre-feet of groundwater was withdrawn; and (5) pay a yearly $25 administration fee. Therefore, owners of LPWs may make withdrawals of up to 1.4 acre-feet of groundwater per year without the need for an EAA groundwater withdrawal permit.
In the event an annual use report shows an LPW owner withdrew more than 1.4 acre-feet of groundwater, EAA staff provides written notification to the well owner that the inability to consistently remain below the annual withdrawal limit for an LPW may result in the loss of LPW status for the well. After a second occurrence of exceeding this withdrawal limit, the EAA board considers the need to rescind the LPW status to the well, and the owner would then be required to obtain groundwater withdra...
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