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Board Votes to Amend Metering Rules

Members of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors voted 4-1 with one abstention to approve proposed Rule 3.5E and make it effective immediately. Rule 3.5E states that a
landowner may use an alternative metering system or a central collection point to report groundwater withdrawals from a property until the owner applies for a permit to construct a well or amend an existing well permit on the property. At that time, the owner must install meters at the pump on all wells on the property within 150 days after the permit or amended permit approval. The updated rules are available for down load by clicking here.

The board voted to table another metering rule amendment, Rule 3.5F, which would allow an owner to use an alternative metering system or a central collection point to report groundwater withdrawals from a property until the owner pools the property. According to this amendment to the rules, the owner would be required to install meters at the pump on all wells on the property to be pooled before the owner could complete the pooling.

The board voted to delay action on Rule 3.5F so it can be addressed along with a comprehensive amendment of the rules planned for later in 2013. The board is planning to address the district's desired future conditions (DFCs) set in 2010, as well as streamline the district's processes. "The board determined it would be more efficient for the district to consider the new pool metering rules in the context of all the rules, since any change might have an effect on other rules as well," said General Manager Steve Walthour.

The board continued the process of evaluating management concepts as a part of the comprehensive review of the district's rules. Management will present the full set of proposed rule amendments to the board at the February board meeting. "We want to clean up rules that need to be either modified or discarded as a result of the district's changing water conservation responsibilities to the state and local stakeholders," said Walthour.

The district will be meeting with stakeholder groups to gather input and suggestions regarding potential proposed rules. Any proposed rules will be posted for review on the district website and published in the newspaper prior to presentation at a public meeting. No new or amended rules will take effect until ratified by the board of directors.

In other business the board approved an interlocal agreement with the Texas Water Development Board to enhance the High Plains Aquifer System Groundwater Availability Model. The district agreed to contribute $100,000 over three years to further develop the model that includes the Ogallala aquifer, the Rita Blanca aquifer, the Edwards-Trinity High Plains aquifer and the Dockum aquifer. The model will assist the district in future planning for management of the groundwater in the district.

The board also approved staff recommendations to retain Perryton National Bank as the District's primary banking institution and First State Bank of Dumas as the District's secondary banking institution. 27 water well permits were approved as active and complete. In addition, production reports have been sent to all owners of water rights in the district. Reports for 2012 groundwater production are due in the office at 603 E. 1st Street in Dumas by 5 pm on Friday, March 1.

For more information about the board meeting or North Plains Groundwater Conservation District call 806-935-6401. You can also "like" the North Plains Groundwater page on Facebook to receive updates on District activities.