Cyrier visits groundwater district

The commissioner’s courtroom saw a larger crowd than normal at Tuesday’s Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District meeting. Turns out half the crowd was there to see State Rep. John Cyrier give a legislative recap while the other half were lawyers watching the board’s decision on another matter.

GCUWCD General Manager Greg Sengelmann introduced Cyrier as “a true proponent of the water district.” The lawmaker was there to highlight accomplishments that the legislature made this recently closed session.

Cyrier began by complementing the district’s attorney, Greg Ellis, saying, “He’s not just an asset for Gonzales County but the state of Texas as well.” He said that Ellis had worked many hours at the Capitol working on water bills and attending important hearings.

“Everybody knew going into this that water was going to be the hot topic of the session,” Cyrier said. He ticked off a list of bills and lawmakers that helped strengthen groundwater rights, many of whom he worked with on his own legislation.

Cyrier discussed HB3163 that he introduced and passed against tall odds. The recently signed law protects groundwater district board members from lawsuits filed by water marketers. Cyrier realized the hard decisions members have to make and didn’t want litigation hanging over their heads, which had happened in Bastrop County already.

“We didn’t want it to start becoming a trend,” he said. 

Ellis praised the rep’s hard work and determination considering his status as the state’s most freshman legislator.

Cyrier said that as a former county commissioner, he respects what water boards have to do. He closed by telling those assembled that he is here to continue to work for water rights and constituent concerns.

“I have asked and want to be a part of any discussions that have to do with water,” Cyrier said.

In the regular meeting, the board discussed taking action on an amicus brief response to a petition for inquiry regarding the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District based in Burleson and Milam counties.

A landowner in that district had filed a petition for the supposed failure of the district to protect groundwater there. Since GCUWCD is a neighbor of the Post Oak, they have the option to join the petition or not.

Ellis explained that he filed an amicus brief prior to meeting with the board due to a deadline to file. He explained that he doesn’t feel that the Post Oak GCD has much to do with Gonzales County’s water and the brief addressed such, stating that the GCUWCD had no position unless it were to directly affect them.

The board decided to let Ellis’ brief stand and made no changes to the document.

Next they considered a compromise and settlement against the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation for violation of district rules. The corporation had failed to submit the required documents for their permits, in this case a failure to test two of their public supply wells that lie in the district. The tests are an overall gauge into the health of the district’s water.

Ellis said that proper procedure would be to get Schertz-Seguin to submit a letter to the board admitting their violation and promising to abide by the rules moving forward. They would also pay a $500 fine.

The board agreed to send a letter to Schertz-Seguin explaining such and would await their reply.

A short discussion was had on whether to renew a permit for a public supply well northwest of Nixon for Schertz-Seguin. The well currently pumps 19,000-acre-feet of water per year. It was decided to table the motion until the board received a response from Schertz-Seguin on their rules violation and until new district rules are in place.

Upon tabling the motion until the September meeting, attorneys for the water corporations left the meeting.

The next meeting of the GCUWCD will be July 23 to discuss the new rules being sought by the board.