The proposed rule changes were approved by the Board on April 28. The Rules in mark-up, associated documents and explanation can be found below.
At the March 1st Work Session and special-called Board Meeting, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board initiated a formal rule-making process to better equip the District to manage prospective large-scale Trinity aquifer water projects, clarify definitions, update application requirements, and update actions on permits. Overall, the rule changes focus on management strategies that will protect both localized, short-term impacts and long-term aquifer health.
A statutory 20-day notice period ended on March 24. The District Board held a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Rules on March 24, 2016 (meeting details). At the March 24th Board Meeting, the Board of Directors closed the public hearing on proposed rule changes but took no action to allow staff time to compile, research, and prepare responses to the public comments and allow Directors time to research and review comments. The City of Buda, Edmond McCarthy on behalf of landowner and lessee clients, Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS), and the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) submitted written comments before the public hearing was closed.
Proposed Rules and supporting documents are available below:
- Proposed Rules in mark-up (3/1/2016, pdf)
- Overview of Rule Changes (pdf)
- Presentation of Rule Changes (pdf)
- Press Release (3/3/2016)
- Written Public Comments to Proposed Rules (3/24/2016, pdf)
- Response to Comments (4/27/2016)
- Final Draft of Proposed Rules in mark-up (4/25/2016)
- Overview of Proposed Permit Process (4/25/2016)
- Finalized Rules and Bylaws (adopted 4/28/2016)