13 hours ago
Texas State Senator voices concerns over groundwater well permit
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A Texas State Senator is joining several other Texas officials to voice his concerns about a pending permit that would authorize the drilling of 21 new groundwater wells in Anderson County.
East Texas officials express opposition to new high-capacity wells
State Senator Robert Nichols of District 3 sent a letter to the Neches and Trinity Valleys Ground Water Conservation District stating his concerns about the authorization of the drilling and how it could impact residents and livestock in Anderson County.
'This kind of large-scale withdrawal poses serious risks to existing water users, particularly rural landowners, farmers and municipalities who rely on stable aquifer conditions to support homes, crops and livestock,' Nichols said.
Nichols went on to urge the board to consider the long-term implications this permit would have on the district and the impact it would have on their groundwater resources going forward.
'Denying this permit would be consistent with the District's responsibility to prevent waste and ensure the conservation of groundwater for all stakeholders,' Nichols said.
The groundwater production permit application was submitted by Redtown Ranch Holdings LLC for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells that Nichols said could extract 10 billion gallons of water a year from the Carrizo and Wilcox aquifers.
'The proposed wells would reportedly authorize the extraction of over 10 billion gallons of water annually from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer,' Nichols said. 'Further, 11 additional proposed wells in neighboring Houston County, outside of the District's jurisdiction, could raise the total volume to 15 billion gallons annually. This is a staggering figure, especially considering that none of the water appears to be designated for use by the communities from which it would be drawn.'
State Rep. Trent Ashby also expressed his concerns about the potential permit earlier this month, stating the negative impact it could have on private and municipal wells.
'As a lifelong resident of East Texas and a member of the Texas House of Representatives, I have consistently supported responsible groundwater management and local control over water resources,' Ashby said. This proposed project is deeply troubling. 'The sheer volume of water involved, equivalent to the annual usage of more than two million Texans, raises serious concerns about aquifer depletion, potential impacts on surrounding private and municipal wells, and the long-term sustainability of our region's water supply.'
Cody Harris, the Chair of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, also expressed his concerns with the permit.
'While we are working rigorously at the state level to propose and enact significant legislation that will help ease the ongoing burdens across the state, I will not stand by while attempts are made to drain my own district,' Harris said.
To hear from more public officials and the company behind the application, click here for KETK's previous coverage of the proposed wells.
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