An Audit Report on Groundwater Conservation Districts - Phase Two Page: 2 of 62
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Key Points of Report
An Audit Report on Groundwater Conservation Districts
Phase 2
October 2001
Overall Conclusion
Five of the 13 local groundwater conservation districts (districts) audited have
not achieved a majority of the audited objectives in their groundwater
management plans and, therefore, are not operational. The State does not
have assurance that these five districts are managing their groundwater
appropriately. The remaining eight districts have achieved a majority of the
audited objectives in their groundwater management plans and, therefore,
are operational. These eight districts appear to be making a good-faith effort
to conserve and protect the groundwater they administer.
There are 9 major and 20 minor aquifers across Texas. These underground
water systems lie beneath more than 81 percent of the state. Unlike surface
water, groundwater is owned by the landowner and is governed by the "rule
of capture" laws of Texas. This means that, within reason, landowners can use
the water under their land any way they choose. Local groundwater
conservation districts are the State's preferred method of groundwater
management. This gives landowners local control with limited State oversight.
Key Facts and Findings
" The Collingsworth, Dallam, Fox Crossing, Real-Edwards, and Saratoga
districts are not operational. Although these districts have achieved some
objectives in their groundwater management plans, overall, these districts
are not making a good-faith effort to achieve a majority of the objectives
in their plans.
" The five districts that are not operational also are not in compliance with
three or more of the audited statutory requirements with which districts
must comply.
" The Edwards Aquifer Authority and the Evergreen, Hickory, Hill Country,
Medina, North Plains, Springhills, and Uvalde districts are operational and
are achieving or making significant progress toward achieving a majority
of the objectives in their groundwater management plans.
" Seven of the eight operational districts are in full or partial compliance with
the audited statutory requirements for groundwater districts.
Contact
Julie Ivie, CIA, Audit Manager, (512) 936-9500
(S tate
ditor's
ffice
Lawrence F. Alwin, CPAThis audit was conducted in accordance with Texas Water Code, Section 36.302.
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Texas. Office of the State Auditor. An Audit Report on Groundwater Conservation Districts - Phase Two, report, October 2001; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth517821/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.