Rockdale’s Patterson Civic Center hosted the second of three town hall meetings on a new Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation (POSGCD) program Thursday.
PACP, a water conservation program, will pay land owners for signing a “stewardship conservancy” agreement, according to Gary Westbrook, POSGCD general manager.
A previous session was held in the Caldwell Civic Center and the final gathering will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. July 10 in the POSGCD office in Milano.
VOLUNTARY—The “strictly voluntary” program is currently in the planning stage but the POSGCD board has discussed a few preliminary numbers.
One example being discussed is to pay land owners $5 per acre per year for a five-year agreement, $7 for a 10-year agreement and $8 for a 20-year agreement.
Several recurring questions have been addressed in the two meetings so far.
Westbrook said those who choose to sign up can still operate wells for their own use.
He said both state and district rules allow operation of “exempt” wells that produce no more than 17.36 gallons per minute for domestic use or watering of livestock.
“That’s a pretty good-sized well,” Westbrook said. “It’s about 28 acre/feet a year.”
Such “exempt” wells are not required to have a permit but must be registered with the POSGCD.
Another recurring question has been the effect of a conservation program on owners’ rights.
“You still own your water,” Westbrook said. “If you choose to commit it (in the program) for a (short) term it’s your choice. If you choose to commit for a longer term it’s your choice, but it remains under your ownership and your control.”
TIMETABLE—The POSGCD is funded with fees collected by the district and payments are to be disbursed annually, according to the district.
A preliminary timetable indicates POSGCD board adoption of the program Jan. 8, 2019, and first payments to begin in January, 2021.
Westbrook said payments would be paid at the end of each year.
Those attending the town hall sessions are asked to fill out a survey which will be used by directors as they proceed to make plans on PACP.
Questions are:
• How many acres would you consider enrolling in the program?
• How long do you think you would initially consider to commit to the program. 5, 10 or more than 20 years?
• Do you have any other questions or concerns?
The POSGCD said agreements would include signage for land covered in the program.
PACP is only for land owners in Milam and Burleson Counties. Those are the two counties which make up the POSGCD.
For more information about the program call the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District at 512-455-9900 or go to www.posgcd.org.
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