January 20, 2005 Meeting
Minutes
Call To Order and Welcome.
Chairman H. P. Brown Jr. called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the A.
Wayne Wyatt Board Room of the High Plains Underground Water Conservation
District No. 1 office, 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, Texas. Notice of the meeting was
provided to each member and was also filed in accordance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act at the following locations: Lubbock County Courthouse,
Administrative Offices of the High Plains Underground Water Conservation
District No. 1, and the regional water planning group web site at
www.llanoplan.org.
Roll Call Of Members and
Establish Quorum.
The following Llano
Estacado Water Planning Group members were in attendance: Chairman H.P. Brown
Jr.; Vice-Chairman Ches Carthel; Secretary-Treasurer Jim Conkwright; and members
Delaine Baucum, Judge Dallas Brewer, Delmon Ellison Jr., Harvey Everheart, Bill
Harbin, Mayor Bob Josserand, Richard Leonard, Dr. Sukant Misra, Gene Montgomery,
Dr. Ken Rainwater, and Jim Steiert. Non-voting members in attendance were Joan
Glass of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Dr. Herb Grubb of HDR
Engineering, Temple McKinnon of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).
Unable to attend
(excused absences): Those unable to attend today’s meeting were: Bruce Blalack
(ill); Don James, (meeting conflict); Steve Jones, (meeting conflict); Terry
Lopas (meeting conflict); and Don McElroy (meeting conflict).
Absent members
(unexcused absences): Jerry Webster.
There was a quorum of
the Llano Estacado Regional Water Planning Group members in attendance (14 of 20
members or 70% attendance). A total of 40 persons attended today’s meeting.
Others in attendance:
Stephen Boston, Texas Department of Agriculture; L.C. Childers, Mayor of
Wolfforth; Clyde Crumley, Llano Estacado Water District; Jason Coleman, South
Plains Water District; Wayne Edwards, City of Post; Doyce Field, City of Slaton;
Kevin Hopson, Daniel B. Stephens and Associates; Joe Hargrove, Mayor of
Crosbyton; Doug Hutcheson, City of Wolfforth; Malcolm Laing, Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality; Mike McClendon, Brazos River Authority; Roger McKinney,
City of Slaton; Jared Miller, City of Crosbyton; James P. Mitchell, High Plains
Water District; Cleon Namken, USDA-NRCS; Frankie Pittman, City of Wolfforth; Dr.
Judy Reeves, High Plains Water District; Jim Stefanov, U.S. Geological Survey in
Austin; David Turnbough, Sandy Land Water District; Jon Weddle, USDA-NRCS; and
Ben Weinheimer, Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Special guests were
Connie Chapman with Rep. Delwin Jones’ Lubbock office and Bill Mullican, Deputy
Executive Administrator with the TWDB Office of Planning.
Carmon McCain of the
High Plains Water District staff was also present to take minutes of the
meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
Approval of the October
28, 2004 meeting minutes.
The minutes of the
October 28, 2004 LERWPG meeting were provided to members by e-mail / hard copy
for review prior to today’s meeting. There being no additions or corrections, a
motion was made by Dallas Brewer and seconded by Bob Josserand that the minutes
of the October 28, 2004 LERWPG meeting be approved as printed. All voted “aye,”
and the motion unanimously passed.
Approval of the
Treasurer’s Report.
The Llano Estacado
Regional Water Planning Group financial statement for the period ending December
31, 2004 was provided to members for review prior to today’s meeting. Mr.
Conkwright said the report shows an ending balance of $10,079.09. A motion to
accept the report as printed was made by Jim Conkwright and seconded by Harvey
Everheart. All voted “aye,” and the motion unanimously passed.
The
LERWPG will hear a report from the by-laws subcommittee regarding procedures to
add new members (other than filling vacancies) to the regional water planning
group.
Chairman Brown asked that no action be taken on
this agenda item since By-laws Subcommittee Chairman Terry Lopas was unable to
attend today’s meeting. It was the consensus of the regional water planning
group members to accept the chairman’s recommendation.
The LERWPG will consider appointing
Malcolm Laing as a non-voting member representing the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
A motion to appoint Malcolm Laing as a
non-voting member of the Llano Estacado Regional Water Planning Group,
representing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, was made by Ches
Carthel and seconded by Mr. Josserand. All voted “aye” and the motion
unanimously passed. Chairman Brown then welcomed Mr. Laing as a member of the
regional water planning group.
The LERWPG will
hear a report from the nominating committee for officers to serve
during 2005-2006.
At the previous meeting, Chairman Brown
appointed Delmon Ellison Jr, Don McElroy, and Jim Steiert to serve on the
nominating committee. Mr. Steiert presented the following slate of officers for
the LERWPG’s consideration.
Chairman
H.P. Brown Jr.
Vice-Chairman Ches Carthel
Secretary-Treasurer Jim Conkwright
A motion to accept the nominating committee’s
recommendation and to elect the officers by acclamation was made by Delmon
Ellison Jr. and seconded by Harvey Everheart. All voted “aye” and the motion
unanimously passed.
The chairman will appoint members to
serve on regional water planning group subcommittees.
In order to assist Dr. Grubb, Chairman Brown
appointed the following committees to address the following issues to be
included in the initially prepared regional water plan:
Agricultural Water
Conservation:
Jim Conkwright, Chairman; Delaine Baucum; Delmon
Ellison Jr.; Harvey Everheart; Curtis Griffin; Dr. Herb Grubb; Dr. Dan Krieg;
Richard Leonard; and Dr. Sukant Misra.
Environmental:
Jim Steiert, Chairman; Jason Coleman; Joan
Glass; Bill Harbin; and Dr. Ken Rainwater.
Policy:
Bob Josserand, Chairman; Judge Dallas Brewer;
Ches Carthel; Clyde Crumley; Dr. Don Ethridge; Don McElroy; Gene Montgomery; and
Kent Satterwhite.
Dr. Grubb explained that these committees will
assist in determining a water management strategy to meet water needs, how much
of the need can be met through conservation, and the results of not meeting the
need. Dr. Grubb has prepared some draft materials for distribution to the
committees for review and comment.
Chairman Brown asked the committees to meet and
have a report ready for the LERWPG at their March 17 meeting. He added that the
chairman is responsible for setting meeting dates and keeping minutes.
Technical Consultant Dr. Herb Grubb with HDR Engineering will present drafts of
the following Sections of the Initially Prepared 2006 Regional Water Planning
Report:
Section 3: Water Supply Projections
For The Planning Region;
Section 4: Projected Water Supplies
and Water Needs of Water User Groups, Counties, and
River Basin Parts of the Planning Region.
Section 5: Municipal Water
Conservation (Partial).
The planning group members were provided copies
of Sections 1 & 2 of the draft initially prepared plan for review and comment at
the October 28, 2004 meeting. The group will be discussing Sections 3-5 of the
draft plan at today’s meeting.
Section 3 includes descriptions of ground water
aquifers and surface water reservoirs in the region. It also includes a
description of the methodology to calculate the water supplies available to the
Llano Estacado Region and methodology for calculating water supplies available
to water user groups. It also includes discussion of projected water supplies
available to the region.
Section 4 includes discussion of the projected
water supplies, water needs, and social/economic impacts of failure to meet
projected water needs for counties and parts of counties of river basins for the
Llano Estacado Region.
Section 5 is discussion of demand reduction
(water conservation). It includes descriptions, methods, quantities, and costs
associated with municipal water conservation in the region.
Dr. Grubb offered the following comments:
Section 3:
A brief overview of the contents of this section
was provided.
Section 4:
Table 4-23 provided today is a replacement for
the table previously sent to the members in an earlier mailout. The new table
has updated supply and demand figures.
Since the 2001 plan, the City of Hereford has
added additional water wells. Because of this, their capacity will meet their
projected demand during the planning period.
Dr. Grubb asked if there were any questions
regarding the data contained in Section 4.
Dr. Rainwater and Mr. Satterwhite questioned if
the City of Levelland should be on the shortage list. Table 5.1-3 shows a
shortage, but there is no date listed on the accompanying table. Dr. Grubb said
he would investigate this and report back to the group.
Dr. Rainwater also questioned the high per
capita water use for some of the cities. He wondered if the non-domestic usage
had been taken out. Dr. Grubb replied that it had not. Towns and cities in the
region report their total raw water use to the TWDB. They should report
industrial or other sales at that time. If reported, the TWDB then adjusts the
municipal water use accordingly. The per capita figures would be erroneous if
the cities did not report these data correctly.
Dr. Rainwater said he was curious about the
reported 305 gallons per capita per day for the City of Seminole. Dr. Grubb
replied that some areas in the San Antonio area reported 700 gallons per person
per day. He emphasized that the respective water superintendents or water
utilities reported these data to the TWDB, who in turn, provides data to the
RWPG. Mr. Crumley said he plans to visit with the City Manager of Seminole
about this.
Dr. Rainwater said that it appears that the
state is working toward a goal of 140 gallons of water per capita per day. In
working with those towns and cities that exceed the goal, he said it would be
helpful to understand how these numbers were generated, so that strategies could
then be understood.
Dr. Grubb noted that a reduction of 18 gallons
per person per day may be achieved by retrofitting homes with low-flow fixtures,
including clothes washers, showerheads, and toilets.
He added that the wholesale water providers in
the region (CRMWA, City of Lubbock, White River, and MacKenzie) would want to
review these tables to make sure the available water supply data are accurate.
There were no additional questions relating to
Section 4.
Section 5:
Dr. Grubb said Table 5.1-1 describes the minimum
standards for plumbing fixtures sold in Texas, which became effective on Jan. 1,
1992. Wholesalers/retailers were given one year to clear existing inventories.
These standards have already been factored into the demand projections.
Table 5.1-2 is the TWDB’s analysis of the water
conservation potentials of low-flow plumbing fixtures in homes, offices, and
public areas. Dr. Grubb added that in 2001, the Texas Legislature amended the
Texas Water Code to require regional water planning groups to consider water
conservation and drought management measures for each water user group with a
need (projected water shortage). The water conservation implementation task
force has identified and described water conservation best management practices
(BMPs) and has provided a BMP guide for use by regional water planning groups in
the development of the 2006 regional water plans. The list of BMPs for
municipal water users was briefly discussed.
In addition, the water conservation
implementation task force recommended that a standardized methodology be used
for determining per capita per day municipal water use in order to allow
consistent evaluations of effectiveness of water conservation measures in the
various towns and cities in Texas. Dr. Grubb said this pertained to Dr.
Rainwater’s earlier question as to how the calculations were made. This is an
attempt to standardize this in the future.
Table 5.1-3 shows the projected per capita water
use with low flow plumbing fixtures, sorted from low to high use. He noted that
those communities with new construction with have greater opportunities for
conservation benefits using low-flow fixtures than those with little or no new
construction.
Table 5.1-4 was reviewed. Of the 72 WUGs in the region, 46 had per capita water
use rates that are higher than the 140 gallons per person per day goal
established by the water conservation implementation task force. He then
reviewed the methods and assumptions as shown on the bottom of Page 8 (“GDS
Associates study.”).
Using this as a methodology, he then reviewed the projected per capita water
conservation from low flow plumbing fixtures as contained in Table 5.1-5. The
costs of water demand reduction via added water conservation were discussed as
well.
There was a question if the RWPG should adopt the 140 per capita per person
statewide average goal. While it is the LERWPG’s prerogative to adopt such a
goal, several members commented that this might be difficult to achieve. It was
suggested that a region-wide average of 150 gallons per capita per day be
considered.
Recess
Chairman Brown called a recess at 11:00 a.m. so that members could watch the
President’s Inaugural Address.
Reconvene
Chairman Brown reconvened the meeting at 11:20
a.m. Dr. Grubb continued with the discussion of Section 5, Demand Reduction
(Water Conservation).
Malcolm Laing with the TCEQ said he questioned
several of the per capita base numbers. While he realizes that the utilities
report their base numbers to the TWDB, he has personally inspected several of
these facilities, and questions the accuracy of the numbers. For example, he
said Meadow’s actual per capita water use is substantially higher than those
reported to the TWDB. He wanted to point out that some of the numbers might be
questionable for those utilities serving less than 5,000 connections. Chairman
Brown encouraged Mr. Laing and TCEQ to dialog with the TWDB on this matter.
Chairman Brown said he views this as “a
balancing act” on trying to assist our fellows in the region by providing them
information that they can use as guidance. However, he has great concern (as did
others on the task force) that WUGs would set their goals so low as to be
unattainable. As a result, they could possibly be denied financing from the
TWDB. (Mr. Brown did say that he did not think the present TWDB administration
would do this—but it is a possible concern for the future.) He cautioned that
this should be considered in making a decision.
In discussions with the task force, Mr.
Montgomery said he believed it made no sense to have one target goal. He gave a
fictional example of the government requiring everyone to weigh 150 pounds.
This goal may be difficult to achieve as there are several factors, such as
height, sex, genetics, etc., that must be considered. When setting a per capita
use, groups must consider other primary factors, such as use and consumption,
and set reasonable goals. Chairman Brown said the water conservation
implementation task force was encouraging WUGs to set their own meaningful goals
–rather than having a large group do it for them. Mr. Montgomery concurred
saying that the RWPG should assist the WUGs in setting the goals and guide them
in attainment of said goals.
Mr. Carthel asked if the group actually had to
set a goal or whether there could be a blanket statement about water
conservation. Mr. Mullican said there were two different issues being
discussed: 1) the LERWPG must develop a model water conservation plan for towns
and communities in the region to use as a template based on the group’s
understanding of the region. The LERWPG may set a per capita per day
recommendation or goal within the context of the conservation plan. 2) The
other part of the plan is if there is a need, then specific water management
strategies must be considered in order to meet the need. This is in accordance
with Senate Bill 2. It is no longer acceptable to simply say “we will do water
conservation.” He said the group must now list conservation activity and the
amount of water that will be saved as a result of the activity.
Mr. Josserand said he did not want to be the
person sitting on the RWPG saying a community will reduce water use by a given
percent without the community being involved in determining the amount of
reduction from day one.
After additional discussion, Mr. Josserand
suggested that the LERWPG contact the counties, show them the TWDB calculations,
and ask them what they can do to remedy the water shortage. Mr. Carthel
suggested listing the best management practices contained in the task force
recommendation and allow towns and cities to “pick and choose” according to
local needs. The problem is that Dr. Grubb must quantify the amount of water
saved per BMP as well as the implementation cost in order to complete the
regional water management plan.
From the discussion, Chairman Brown said he
believed that the LERWPG did not want to set a specific per capita per day
goal—but rather have the towns and cities with needs (above 140 gallons per
capita per day) look at BMPS and consider a one percent reduction per year until
the statewide average was attained. Mr. Everheart asked about those towns and
cities with a water need that were below the statewide per capita per day
average. Dr. Grubb said those towns would not be included since they were below
the average.
In summary, Dr. Grubb said that the LERWPG would
take the one percent approach for those towns and cities that had a per capita
per day water use of 140 gallons and above in 2000, and then he would calculate
the water conservation potential. The town and cities would be able to
voluntarily use the recommended BMPs to achieve the goal. Mr. Carthel said he
did not believe the region could attain a statewide goal of 140 gallons per
capita per day. Dr. Grubb suggested that the group use a goal of the year 2000
regional average of 177 gallons per capita per day. Chairman Brown said he was
still concerned about towns and cities not being able to achieve a goal and
being denied funding as a result.
Mr. Montgomery suggested starting with the
statewide goal of 140 gallons per capita per day and working to achieve a one
percent reduction among those towns and cities above that goal. In the
meantime, the LERWPG would work on a better goal-setting plan in order to
consider factors that should be considered.
Mr. Mullican said Dr. Grubb must make
calculations based on BMPs for a cost figure and the amount of water that can be
saved. Having towns and cities select from a menu of BMPs and picking one to
meet their water need will not help Dr. Grubb in making his calculations. He
must have a breakdown of BMPs that will be used in order to provide the cost
benefits of conservation.
To wrap up the discussion, Chairman Brown asked
the regional water planning group members to make a decision regarding the
specific per capita per day goal. A motion was made by Mr. Carthel and seconded
by Mr. Josserand that the group use a goal of the year 2000 regional average of
177 gallons per capita per day. All voted “aye,” and the motion unanimously
passed.
Lunch
Chairman Brown called a lunch recess at 12:08 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at
12:50 p.m.
Reconvene
Mr. Conkwright suggested that the LERWPG contact
the cities that are experiencing water shortages and work with them as much as
possible. Mr. Montgomery agreed that the conservation goals should be shared
with the towns and cities in the region. If they do not agree with their data,
then they should let the RWPG know. Dr. Grubb suggested a 30-day response
turnaround time in order to have the draft plan completed for review at the
April LERWPG meeting.
Chairman Brown suggested that the mayors and/or
city managers of the towns with water shortages be invited to come to Lubbock to
visit about their problem with Dr. Grubb and other LERWPG representatives. A
February 17 meeting was recommended.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION:
The LERWPG will receive an update on the
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) agricultural water conservation program,
created by Senate Bill 1053, 78th Texas Legislature.
Mr. Conkwright reported that a press conference
announcing the High Plains and Lower Rio Grande Valley projects was held
September 22 in Austin. Up to $6.2 million was earmarked for an integrated
approach to water conservation in the Texas Southern High Plains. Cooperators
include producers in western Floyd and eastern Hale Counties, Texas Tech
University, Texas Cooperative Extension, and the High Plains Underground Water
Conservation District No. 1. Up to $3.8 million has been earmarked for the Lower
Rio Grande Valley project.
This will be a producer-driven project. The
High Plains Water District will install monitoring equipment, weather stations,
and other equipment necessary for the project. In addition, the staff will
provide technical expertise about the Ogallala aquifer in the project area.
A local press conference announcing the project
will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 21 at the Pitchfork Pavilion of the National
Ranching Heritage Center.
Mr. Mullican said it is hoped that this project
will identify and quantify the best agricultural production practices and
technologies to help reduce ground water pumpage from the Ogallala aquifer while
maintaining agricultural production and economic opportunities.
The LERWPG will receive an update on
potential water related legislation that may be introduced during the 79th
Texas Legislative Session.
Chairman Brown asked Mr. Conkwright to report on
potential water related legislation that may be introduced during the 79th
Texas Legislative Session. Mr. Conkwright said 700 bills have been introduced
to date and the High Plains Water District is monitoring about 12 of these. Mr.
McCain said a recent article in the Victoria Advocate indicated that Senator
Armbrister, chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, might author an
omnibus water bill this session. Mr. Carthel said there was some discussion at
the Region B meeting regarding certificates of convenience and necessity are
awarded and how to opt out of them. Mr. Carthel said no legislation on
certificates of convenience and necessity ("CCNs") has been introduced as yet.
The LERWPG will receive an update on
environmental issues.
Mr. Steiert began his report by observing that
water planning is an inexact science at best. “We are sitting here
today—surviving and still operating—on water that best science projected to be
gone 25 years ago. The future has been painted bleakly for the High Plains
before. We do the best we can (conserving water) with the information we have,”
he said.
Mr. Steiert reported that the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department is working on an environmental flows study for Region O that
will be presented at the March 17 meeting.
Mr. McCain provided a brief report about the
critical habitat designation for the Arkansas River shiner by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
The LERWPG will hear a status report from
Consultant Dr. Herb Grubb with HDR Engineering, Inc.
Dr. Grubb said he had no additional comments at this time.
The LERWPG will hear a status report from
LERWPG Project Manager Temple McKinnon of the TWDB.
Ms. McKinnon deferred to Mr. Mullican. Mr.
Mullican said it was good to be back in Lubbock—his hometown. In the past few
months, Mr. Mullican reported that he has traveled around the nation to speak
about water issues—especially the regional water planning in Texas. He said
Texas is recognized in leading the nation in the regional water planning
process. Many states are looking to implement a “Texas Model.” He said he hoped
all RWPG members take pride in the activity they are involved in because the
nation is keeping an eye on Texas. He said there is such an incredible
difference in the rate of implementation between the 1997 state water plan and
the 2001 plan. This is the true barometer for success.
As good as the regional water planning process
is, there are always opportunities for improvements. During the past couple of
years, the TWDB has seen the need for some plan amendments. Some of these were
major—but most were minor. Some were so minor that it was almost embarrassing
to go through the amendment process! There is a proposal, along with draft
legislation, that would allow smaller amendments to become expedited and a
simpler process.
Mr. Mullican also said that the regional water
planning process received funding cuts during the budget crisis two years ago.
Because of the deficit, regional water planning did not escape the budget knife.
The TWDB is asking the legislature to restore funding to the baseline level for
the 2006-2011 planning cycle. There is adequate funding for the 2001-2006
planning cycle. The TWDB is working to acquire additional funding for modeling
of minor aquifers, such as the Dockum.
Chairman Brown thanked Mr. Mullican for his
attendance at today’s meeting.
The LERWPG will hear a report from the
following Regional Water Planning Group Liaisons:
Region A: Kent
Satterwhite
Mr. Satterwhite deferred to Ms. McKinnon. The
Panhandle Regional Water Planning Group met in December 2004, and will meet
again on February 3, 2005. They are making about the same progress on their plan
as Region O.
Region B: Ches
Carthel.
Mr. Carthel reported that Region B met in
November 2004 and will meet again February 16 in Wichita Falls. They are
developing their needs analysis and are also on the same track as Region O.
Region F: Harvey
Everheart
Mr. Everheart reported that Region F met Nov.
24, 2004. He noted the differences between Region F and Region O in size and
voting members. Region F deals primarily with surface water issues. They will
be looking at water availability at their next meeting.
Region G: Terry
Lopas / Judge Tim Fambrough
Mr. Lopas was unable to attend and no report was given.
Other
Business:
Public Comment:
No public comment was
offered at this time.
Other Business:
Chairman Brown called
attention to upcoming LERWPG meeting dates as outlined in his January 11 memo.
He encouraged members to mark the dates on their calendars.
Chairman Brown called
attention to the Senate Select Committee on Water Policy report as contained in
the mailout for today’s meeting. He encouraged the members to review the
document, if they have not done so already.
Chairman Brown noted that
the LERWPG is continuing to search for a suitable person to replace Henry Rieff,
who represented water utilities. Malcolm Laing suggested that Doug Hutcheson
with the City of Wolfforth be considered as a replacement. Chairman Brown asked
that Mr. Laing speak with Mr. Conkwright or Mr. McCain about Mr. Hutcheson’s
qualifications to serve .
Adjournment
There being no additional
business, Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
The
above conveys my understanding of the issues discussed and conclusions reached.
I assume this understanding is correct until notice to the contrary is received.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Conkwright,
Secretary-Treasurer
These minutes were approved at the March
17, 2005 regular LERPWG meeting.
