AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 2007, the legislature created the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (STGCD) as a non-taxing groundwater conservation district (GCD) to conserve and manage groundwater withdrawals in McLennan County. However, the legislation requires STGCD to add another county to its boundaries by September 1, 2011, or the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will begin dissolution.
In 2008, TCEQ created the Central Texas-Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Area (PGMA) in Somervell, Bosque, Hill, Coryell, and McLennan counties – an area designated by the State as one expected to experience critical groundwater problems within the next 25 years. At the time, Bosque, Coryell, and Somervell counties were not within GCDs.
In 2009, Prairielands GCD was created in Somervell County and now includes Hill County; Bosque and Coryell counties were added to the Middle Trinity GCD. At present, all counties within the PGMA are within a confirmed GCD.
S.B. 353 removes a provision that would require TCEQ to dissolve STGCD if another county is not added to the district's boundaries.
As proposed, S.B. 353 amends current law relating to the territory and dissolution requirements of the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Repealer: Section 8821.107 (District Territory Requirements; Dissolution of District), Special District Local Laws Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.