Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District. Groundwater Management Plan Annual Report

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District. Groundwater Management Plan Annual Report"

Antony Spencer Lyons
5 years ago
Views:

1 Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District Groundwater Management Plan 2011 Annual Report December 22, 2011

2 Annual Report 2011 Groundwater Management Plan Management Goals Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District Introduction In accordance with the Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District s ( District ) Groundwater Management Plan (BCGCD, 2008), the general manager of the District will prepare and submit an annual report (Annual Report) to the District Board of Directors. The Annual Report is to include an update on the District s performance in achieving the management goals contained in the Groundwater Management Plan. The general manager will present the Annual Report to the Board of Directors Within ninety (90) days following the completion of the District s Fiscal Year, beginning in the fiscal year starting on October 1, A copy of the annual audit of District financial records will be included in the Annual Report. The District will maintain a copy of the Annual Report on file for public inspection at the District offices, upon adoption by the Board of Directors. Following is a discussion of the District s performance in achieving the management goals. Management Goals 1. Providing the Most Efficient Use of Groundwater 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(A) 1.1. Objective Each year, the District will require all new exempt or permitted wells that are constructed within the boundaries of the District to be registered or permitted with the District in accordance with the District Rules.

3 Performance Standard The District has registered 341 exempt wells during Mappable exempt wells are shown in Exhibit 1 of this document. TYPE OF REGISTRATION REGISTERED PERCENT Single Family Residence % Agriculture / Irrigation 33 10% Rig Supply 11 3% TOTALS % Performance Standard The District has permitted 510 wells during Permitted wells with recorded geographic data are also shown in Exhibit 1 of this document Objective Each year, the District will regulate the production of groundwater by maintaining a system of permitting the use and production of groundwater within the boundaries of the District in accordance with the District Rules. Performance Standard The District has accepted and processed applications for the permitted use of groundwater in the District in accordance with the permitting process established by the District Rules. A summary of the applications is presented below. TYPE OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED PERMITS ISSUED PERCENT Commercial / Domestic % Industrial % Public Water Systems % Other % TOTALS % 1.3. Objective The District will conduct and/or support investigations to evaluate the aquifers of the district and the production of groundwater within the district in preparation of establishing a monitor well network within the boundaries of the District. Performance Standard Although the District has not performed its own investigations at this time, it is currently supporting the work of Freese and Nichols, Inc. who is working with Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, Fort Bend 2

4 Subsidence District, and Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District to evaluate future demands upon the Gulf Coast Aquifer and related impacts of pumpage. In Addition, the District is considering a joint funding agreement with USGS for groundwater data collection in Brazoria County. 2. Controlling and Preventing Waste of Groundwater 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(B) 2.1. Objective Each year, the District will make an evaluation of the District Rules to determine whether any amendments are recommended to decrease the amount of waste of groundwater within the District. Performance Standard The District is in the process of reviewing its rules to determine whether any amendments to the rules are recommended to prevent the waste of groundwater. At this time no change in District rules is recommended Objective Each year, the District will apply a water use fee structure to the permitted use of groundwater in the District to encourage the elimination and reduction of waste of groundwater. Performance Standard The District has applied a water use fee to the permitted use of groundwater in the District pursuant to District rules. Revenue generated by production fees for 2011, by category, is as follows: REVENUE TYPE OF PERMIT GENERATED Commercial / Domestic $ 55, Industrial $ 20, Public Water Systems $ 226, Other $ 45, Total: $ 348,

5 2.3. Objective Each year, the District will provide information to the public on eliminating and reducing wasteful practices in the use of groundwater by including information on groundwater waste reduction on the District s website. Performance Standard Information provided to the public on groundwater waste reduction is provided in the District web page. Additionally, the newspaper article published by the District, and enclosed as Appendix A, also provides the pertinent information. 3. Controlling and Preventing Subsidence 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(C) 3.1. Objective Each year, the District will hold a joint conference with the neighboring Groundwater Conservation or Subsidence Districts (e.g., Harris- Galveston Subsidence District and the Fort Bend Subsidence District) focused on sharing information regarding subsidence and the control and prevention of subsidence through the regulation of groundwater. Performance Standard The District participated in discussions with the surrounding Subsidence Districts in order to share information of mutual importance regarding subsidence. Meetings occurred on March 28, 2011 and September 28, Participants in these discussions included representatives from the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, and the U.S. Geological Survey Objective Each year, the District will provide one article on the District s website to educate the public on the subject of subsidence. Performance Standard The district has provided links to the subject of subsidence in their web page. 4. Conjunctive Surface Water Management Issues 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(D) 4.1. Objective Each year, the District will participate in the regional planning process by attending, as able, the Region H Regional Water Planning Group 4

6 meetings to encourage the development of surface water supplies to meet the needs of water user groups in the District. Performance Standard The District General Manager attended all four of the Region H Water Planning Group meetings held during In addition to the Region H Water Planning Group meetings, the District General Manager served as Vice-Chairman for the Brazoria County Water for our Future task force. 5. Drought Conditions 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(F) 5.1. Objective Each month, the District will review the updated Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) map and check for the periodic updates to the Drought Preparedness Council Situation Report posted on the Texas Water Information Network website Performance Standard The Texas Water Information Network is no longer in service and has been shut down. However, the Drought Monitor ( provides a synthesis of multiple indices and impacts that represent a consensus of federal and academic scientists. Individual monthly drought maps are presented in Appendix B. Moderate to extreme drought conditions were observed throughout the state in Brazoria County entered a drought condition beginning in April and reached a condition of extreme drought in August The District monitored the status of the drought conditions in the District and prepared briefings to the Board of Directors. 6. Conservation 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) 6.1. Objective The District will annually submit an article regarding water conservation for publication to at least one newspaper of general circulation in Brazoria County. 5

7 Performance Standard The District published an article in The Brazosport Facts regarding water conservation and other District issues impacting groundwater availability. A copy of the article submitted by the District is included as Appendix A in this Annual Report Objective The District will implement a pre-existing educational program for use in public or private schools in Brazoria County to educate students on the importance of water conservation. Performance Standard A description of the educational program implemented by the District for use in Brazoria County public or private schools is included in Appendix C of this document Objective Each year, the District will include an informative flier on water conservation within at least one mail out to groundwater use permit holders distributed in the normal course of business for the District. Performance Standard Appendix D of this report includes a copy of the informative flier to be distributed to groundwater users regarding water conservation. These fliers have been developed by the Texas Water Development Board. 7. Natural Resource Issues That Affect the Use and Availability of Groundwater or are affected by the Use of Groundwater - 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) 7.1 Objective The District will inquire to the Texas Railroad Commission asking for the location of existing salt water or waste disposal injection wells permitted by the Texas Railroad Commission within the District. Performance Standard The District has received data from the Texas Railroad Commission identifying the location of existing salt waste or waste disposal injection wells within the District. This data is attached in Appendix E and is mapped in Exhibit 2 of this document. 6

8 7.2 Objective Each year the District will inquire to the Texas Railroad Commission asking whether any new salt water or waste disposal injection wells have been permitted by the Texas Railroad Commission to operate within the District. Performance Standard The data obtained by the District under Objective 7.1 is inclusive of all new known salt waste or waste disposal injection wells within the District. 7.3 Objective Each year the District will request the Texas Railroad Commission to provide a copy of the results of integrity tests performed on salt water or waste disposal injection wells permitted by the Texas Railroad Commission to operate within the District. Performance Standard The District has access to the Texas Railroad commission s online data repository for querying available well records, including injection wells. This online interface may be accessed here: 8. Brush Control 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) 8.1. Objective The District will provide the public information regarding brush control through newspaper articles of general circulation. Performance Standard The district has provided links to the subject of brush control in their web page. Information was also provided in an advertisement published December 11, 2011 in The Brazosport Facts. 9. Rainwater Harvesting 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) 9.1. Objective The District will provide the public information regarding rainwater harvesting through newspaper articles of general circulation. Performance Standard The district has provided links to the subject of rainwater harvesting in their web page. Information was also provided in an 7

9 advertisement published December 11, 2011 in The Brazosport Facts and provided here in Appendix A. 10. Recharge Enhancement 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) Objective The District will provide the public information regarding recharge enhancement through newspaper articles of general circulation. Performance Standard The district has provided links to the subject of recharge enhancement in their web page. Information was also provided in an advertisement published December 11, 2011 in The Brazosport Facts and provided here in Appendix A. 11. Precipitation Enhancement 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(G) Objective The District will provide the public information regarding precipitation enhancement through newspaper articles of general circulation. Performance Standard The district has provided links to the subject of precipitation enhancement in their web page. Information was also provided in an advertisement published December 11, 2011 in The Brazosport Facts and provided here in Appendix A. 12. Addressing in a Quantitative Manner the desired Future Condition of the Groundwater Resources 31 TAC 356.5(a)(1)(H) The District participated in the development of Desired Future Conditions (DFC) for the Gulf Coast Aquifer along with the five other member districts of Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 14. This DFC statement was adopted by resolution at the August 25, 2010 meeting of the GMA and represents an area covering all or part of Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties. 8

10 The complete resolution adopted by GMA 14 can be found in Appendix F. The adopted DFCs for the portion of the Gulf Coast Aquifer in Brazoria County reads as follows: From estimated year 2008 conditions, the average draw down of the Chicot aquifer should not exceed approximately 45 feet after 52 years. From estimated year 2008 conditions, the average draw down of the Evangeline aquifer should not exceed approximately 40 feet after 52 years. As a result of the development and adoption of the DFC by GMA 14, TWDB developed estimates of Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG) in each county and groundwater formation within the GMA. These MAGs include both the regulated and unregulated portion of groundwater supply within each collective unit. For Brazoria County, the following MAGs were developed: MODELED AVAILABLE GROUNDWATER BY DECADE (Ac-Ft/Yr) ,396 50,396 50,396 50,396 50,396 50,396 These MAGs, as presented will be incorporated into the 2016 Region H Regional Water Plan, described as Total Pumping, and will represent the available portion of groundwater supply available to meet both permitted and exempt use. The DFC adopted by GMA 14 and the resulting MAG will impact the District. The results of this joint planning among the member districts of GMA 14 are required to be included in the Management Plan for the District and other districts within the GMA. However, the District will ne be required to take action on this requirement until the next update to the Management Plan which is expected to occur in 2013, based on the 5-yr cycle mandated schedule for review and update. At this time, no action is required to amend the Management Plan to provide for these actions by GMA Annual Audit of District Financial Records A copy of the 2010 annual audit of the District financial records is included as Appendix G of this report. The 2011 audit will be completed in early 2012 and will be included in next year s report. 9

11 References Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District (BCGCD), Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District Groundwater Management Plan. Adopted November 13,

12 Exhibits

1 Exhibit FN JOB NO FILE DATE SCALE DESIGNED DRAFTED 1:320,000 December 2011 BZG11499 JDA JDA BRAZORIA COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Exh_1-2011_Wells.

13 1 Exhibit FN JOB NO FILE DATE SCALE DESIGNED DRAFTED 1:320,000 December 2011 BZG11499 JDA JDA BRAZORIA COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Exh_1-2011_Wells.mxd 2011 Permit Wells and Documented Exempt Wells 310 Wilcrest Suite 200 Houston, Texas / Miles Legend Permitted Wells Existing Permits New 2011 Permits Exempt Wells Based on Brazoria County GCD Database of 2011/12/13 Succesfully mapping 309 of 510 permitted wells Successfully mapping 1,116 of 1,289 exempt wells

14 Legend Texas RRC Permitted Injection Wells Injection/Disposal Well Injection/Disposal From Oil Injection/Disposal From Gas Injection/Disposal From Oil/Gas Miles Injection Wells - Bottom Well Locations Texas Railroad Commission Received 2011/12/14 / 310 Wilcrest Suite 200 Houston, Texas BRAZORIA COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Injection Wells - December 2011 FN JOB NO BZG11499 FILE Exh_2-Injection_Wells.mxd DATE SCALE DESIGNED DRAFTED December :320,000 JDA JDA 2 Exhibit

15 Appendix A Newspaper Publication in The Brazosport Facts

17 Appendix B Palmer Drought Severity Index Monthly Summaries

30 Appendix C Conservation Materials Know Your Water

33 Appendix D Conservation Flier

36 Appendix E Permitted Injection Wells Texas Railroad Commission

37 Brazoria County Injection Wells Railroad Commission of Texas API Number Well Type Reliability of Position 1 Latitude (DD) 2 Longitude (DD) Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle or Aerial Photograph D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Wellbore Distances Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Coordinates from Operator Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle or Aerial Photograph Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map

38 Brazoria County Injection Wells Railroad Commission of Texas API Number Well Type Reliability of Position 1 Latitude (DD) 2 Longitude (DD) Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Distances Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle or Aerial Photograph Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle or Aerial Photograph Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location D1 Injection/Disposal Well Coordinates from Operator Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map D1 Injection/Disposal from Oil Coordinates from Operator Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Distances Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location D1 Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Oil RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well Coordinates from Operator Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well Coordinates from Operator D1 Injection/Disposal from Gas Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Distances Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map

39 Brazoria County Injection Wells Railroad Commission of Texas API Number Well Type Reliability of Position 1 Latitude (DD) 2 Longitude (DD) Injection/Disposal fom Oil/Gas RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal from Gas USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle or Aerial Photograph Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well RRC Hardcopy Map Injection/Disposal Well Operator Reported Location Injection/Disposal from Gas Operator Reported Location Position given for bottom well location. 2 Horizontal datum: North American Datum of 1927.

40 Appendix F GMA 14 Resolution to Adopt Desired Future Conditions

54 Appendix G District Financials 2010 Audit