Jessica Goode | Boerne Star |
Trying to stay ahead of potentially detrimental legislation, Cow Creek Groundwater and Conservation District directors listened to a litany of proposed house and senate bills that threaten local control and aquifer sustainability. At the behest of attorney Monique Norman, directors unanimously approved granting General Manager Micah Voulgaris the authority to engage a lobbyist to represent the district should any of the bills gain momentum.
The list of negative bills includes HB 3677, sponsored by Republican Representative Jason Isaac, which was filed March 9 and referred to Natural Resources on March 31 – and relates to the creation of the Heart of Texas Aquifer District and the dissolution of certain groundwater conservation districts; HB 3028, introduced on March 6 and sponsored by Republican Representative Dewayne Burns – relates to groundwater ownership and rights; HB 3043 was introduced March 6 and is sponsored by Republican Representative Paul Workman – it relates to the joint planning process for groundwater management; and SB 1392, sponsored by Republican Senator Charles Perry, was introduced March 7 and is pending in the Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs Committee.
Norman suggested to directors last week that they consider hiring legislative consultant Robby Cook to represent the district should any of the proposed bills grow legs.
“I think for districts that can afford this, it’s a good idea,” Norman said, as opposed to crossing fingers and not doing anything.
Norman said a $10,000 retainer would buy representation on a specific bill, or focus on other proposed bills as needed. She said it has become a common trend to treat groundwater rights like oil and gas with no attention given to sustainability.
“Do most of these people think the aquifer is a big bathtub they can just stick a straw in and suck out the water?” Director Bobby Schwab said. “I’m just trying to figure out if there are that many people in Austin who are that damn stupid.”