( Press Release May 22, 2006)
On May 1st, Preserve Our Water, Inc. (POW) received recognition from the Secretary of State as a not-for-profit corporation in Texas. This organization is composed of Blanco County citizens deeply concerned about preservation of the most vital and threatened of the county’s resources, water. Many of those affiliated with POW have long worked to educate and inform themselves and, in turn, the citizens and public officials of the county about this most serious matter. The public hearing conducted by the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District (BPGCD) on March 16th regarding a water pumping permit for the Rockin’ J residential development convinced these citizens that additional efforts were now necessary.
Lynne McKirdy, POW Vice President and a resident of Landon’s Crossing observed, "The hearing on March 16th convinced me that we must come together as concerned citizens prepared to take appropriate action to ensure our elected officials act in compliance with the laws of Texas and their own rules in preserving our water resources. POW intends to do just that."
On May 17th, BPGCD received notice of a Motion for Rehearing in the matter of the Rockin’ J permit approved by the Board at the March 16th meeting. This motion, an administrative action, calls for the Board to set aside their decision and hold a new hearing. The motion describes nine instances in which the Board’s actions, before, during and after the hearing, fail to comply with Texas law. Another error cited results from the Board’s failure to conform to its own Rules. POW is supporting this action.
On June 18th, 2005 Governor Perry signed into law a series of changes to the law that controls Groundwater Conservation districts. That law took effect on September 5, 2005. POW President Dave Collins commented, “The failures to comply with Texas law our Motion identify largely relate to these changes. It is unfortunate that now, 8 months after the law took effect and 11 months since it was signed into law, the BPGCD is still working to bring its rules and operations into compliance.
McKirdy noted that, "We will be monitoring the actions of all public officials with responsibility for protecting our water resources. When we believe they fall short of their legal and ethical responsibilities, we will be there to try and educate them. If that fails, we are prepared to take the necessary actions to assure they do operate in a proper and lawful manner."
In 1991 Texas designated Blanco County as one of 12 Hill Country counties included in a Priority Groundwater Management Area (PGMA). This means that the studies of groundwater reserves, the rate at which those aquifers are “recharged” by rainfall and the expected demand for water led state experts to believe this area was at risk of depleting its groundwater resources. “It is not enough for our Groundwater District and other public officials to try and make sure no one individual or group gets an unfair shot at the water, they must manage its use with an understanding that we are at risk of draining the bucket we all put our straws into for water”, observed Collins.
Though POW has been in existence for less than a month, the group is drawing strong support from across Blanco County. Citizens attending a recent meeting of the Citizens Assembly held at the Gem of the Hills in Blanco voiced enthusiastic endorsement for POW efforts. Many others have come forward to offer financial and other types of active support. "POW is grateful to these many citizens who share our concerns about the need to conserve our water for future generations of Blanco County residents", commented McKirdy. "We pledge to do everything we can to earn their continued support," she concluded.
