NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – A regional groundwater board postponed a decision on how to manage pumping across much of East Texas, saying members will consult their counties before selecting a plan.<\/p>\n
The District 11 Groundwater Conservation District, which oversees 28 counties, met in Nacogdoches to discuss a plan it must send to the state by January. The plan will guide local groundwater management as concerns grow about water use and future supply.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re already struggling and he\u2019s talking about dry wells sometime in the future. What is that going to do? We\u2019re not going to have any water for our people,\u201d Anderson County Judge Carey McKinney said.<\/p>\n
Board member Will Blough said the goal is to balance protecting groundwater with accommodating economic growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal here is to come up with a plan that is the most equitable plan for the area to maintain our groundwater level while at the same time being able to accommodate the economic growth of the area,\u201d Blough said.<\/p>\n
According to the state comptroller, aquifers supply 54% of Texas\u2019 total water. But the script said groundwater is being used faster than nature can replenish it, raising concerns about impacts to resources, agriculture and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The board, business owners, attorneys and members of the public are divided over two proposed plans. Plan 26.1 would limit pumping. An attorney for Wayne-Sanderson Farms said the plan could have negative effects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the new runs were released on September 2nd, it became very clear that under any scenario utilizing 26.1, there are going to be negative impacts,\u201d the attorney, Stacey Reese, said.<\/p>\n
The current plan, Plan 33, would allow more pumping, but board members said it could increase the risk of wells running dry because it has fewer restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest issue with using 33 is the amount of water that it allows us to produce. And it\u2019s a substantial difference between the two scenarios,\u201d Blough said.<\/p>\n
Blough said the board must weigh the needs of future generations as it reviews the data.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for the future. We, my kids, my grandkids, they\u2019re going to need water as well. And so that weighs heavily on each of us in our decision making,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The board postponed its decision to allow members to speak with their counties before choosing a plan.<\/p>\n
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