Over 800 comment on formation of GCD in Wood County

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

October 3, 2002 -- As part of the procedure to establish Lake Country Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) in Wood County, the petitioners held a hearing for public comment in July. Only comments which addressed issues within the petition were considered by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ, formerly TNRCC) commissioners as to the finding that the petition be certified.

A TECQ report notes 18 citizens presented oral comments at the July 15 public meeting, and the commission received 824 written comments within the acceptable 10-day period following the public meeting.

The report cites 14 commenters requested the "Lake Country GCD petition be certified, believed a GCD was needed at present, supported continued education on the issue, and requested the voters be allowed to make a decision on the issue."

Also in the report was the issue that "380 commenters generally opposed Lake Country GCD in Wood County without providing reasons. An additional 417 generally opposed creation of the Lake Country GCD in Wood County because they opposed taxes or fees that would be necessary to support the district. Of these, 400 commenters generally opposed creation ... because they have not found any information indicating a shortage of water in Wood County or see a need for a GCD at this time. In addition, 117 of these commenters urge the Commission to 'sunset' the petition for the creation ...."

The commissioners, in the report, addressed each of these concerns with information to make clear the issues addressed. Often, the commenters' information presented in their reasons was not accurate.

Kelly Mills, senior staff geologist within TECQ's technical analysis division, could not make a comparison as to whether the number of comments was high because "this was the first one done under the new (legislative) process" which requires a public meeting be held to comment on a petition to create a GCD.

Also, the report cites the petition, although not required, "identifies the need for local management of the groundwater resources of the county based on the following potential problems: 1) the advent of new technology creating disparity in the ability of landowners to capture groundwater; 2) explosive population growth in Wood County placing more demand on local groundwater resources; 3) the possibility of waste and contamination of the existing groundwater supply due to abandoned wells in the county; and 4) the possibility of future drought conditions resulting in the lowering of the county's water table, water quality problems, seasonal water shortages, and rationing by local water companies."

More information about GCDs can be found online at www.trncc.state.tx.us.