Citizens express concerns about GBRA permit at public hearing

Many citizens of Gonzales and surrounding areas expressed their concerns Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Gonzales CountyUnderground Water Conservation District public hearing regarding the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority’s (GBRA) request to drill three additional water wells in the Carrizo Aquifer.

The three proposed wells would increase GBRA’s authorized production and exportation limits under its existing permits by a total of 9,000 acre-feet. Though the public hearing was mainly aimed at citizen concerns and comments, GBRA confirmed that the 9,000-acre feet they opted for matched up with the infrastructure in the Carrizo Aquifer that they can reasonably accommodate.

“For us to go greater than 9,000-acre feet at additional capacity would require more infrastructure than we’re now prepared to move forward with at this time,” said Darrell Nichols, senior deputy general manager of GBRA. “When we started our initial project of developing the Carrizo Aquifer, it was originally 15,000 acre-feet of our water rights that we had — but that started in 2018. There was a need for some additional water before our surface water could be fully developed and that was the reason for the application that we have.”

GCUWCD is a part of a groundwater management area, comprised of several other districts and counties, which plan for 50 years into the future for each aquifer. Every five years, the model is updated.

This permit request has been met with contested cases from concerned parties, and will be sent to a hearing examiner, who will evaluate all filed protests, with the court then determining if there will be an evidentiary hearing. All parties will have a chance to present their case during this hearing, according to water district’s attorney, Greg Ellis.

“We have a plan in place that sets a desired future condition, we know what our model available groundwater is and the total amount that can be reduced every year for fifty years that should still achieve that desired future condition,” Ellis said. “Please understand, my favorite thing to say about models is that ‘all models are wrong, some are useful.’ We hope that we have a useful model here, but also, if you’re comparing models to reality — reality always wins.”

Both landowners and local organizations voiced their dissent by a wide margin. A contested case was requested by severalcitizens at the meeting. Among these were Greg Tieken, one of the original petitioners of GCUWCD, who voiced his concern on cost while speaking on behalf of the Gonzales County Water Supply Corporation.

“It is our position that the model that is presented by GBRA does not accurately present the desired future conditions,” Tieken said. “It will be impacted, not only by capital cost, but on future operational and maintenance cost for our existing wells.”

Some landowners in the area have already filed for a contested case.

“Here they come, they’re looking for more. I’m pretty close to the three new wells that GBRA are proposing. The amount of water these guys are taking is unsustainable; they’re taking water faster than the recharge rate and they don’t care,” said Ted Boriak, a landowner north of Waelder. “Right now, the GBRA model shows 100-foot draw down underneath my land. What’s that gonna do the land? I think we ought to know.”

GCUWCD does have a mitigation fund to offset the effects of pumping in the district. The fund can pre-emptively lower the pumps in the wells that will help offset the effects of drawdown in the Carrizo Aquifer. Landowners can contact GCUWCD with their information and the location of the well for inspection.

The city of Gonzales wants to assure its citizens that they are examining this issue closely.

“The city of Gonzales, through the city manager’s office, is increasing its level of attention related to future groundwater and surface water supplies,” said interim Gonzales City Manager Tim Crow. “The city will maintain its vigilance and seek any and all working relationships that will serve to protect the welfare and the best interest of the people of Gonzales and the citizens in surrounding areas.”

The public hearing lasted roughly around an hour. After the meeting, GCUWCD resumed its monthly district meeting. Water level reports were conducted for September.

“There has been some drawdown, which is to be expected given the extreme drought that we’ve been through these past few months,” said Laura Martin, GCUWCD general manager. “However, there are water wells that show an increase in water levels, so right where they’re expected to be this time of year.”

There is also an additional 10 feet of drawdown in the pumping area conducted by San Antonio Water Supply, north of Nixon.

Further comment from GBRA was denied when asked last week for an interview because they are currently still in the comment portion of the hearing. This is an ongoing story and Gonzales Inquirer intends to update more developments as they occur.