Rep. Isaac files priority groundwater management protection bill
Submitted report
State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) filed legislation today related to extending groundwater protection districts in Hays County.
House Bill 1191 would create a buffer zone of five miles beyond the boundaries of a priority groundwater management area and give additional groundwater protection authority to the Texas Water Development Board.
It’s one of five bills he plans to file this legislative session in an effort to address the hotly contested issue of pumping huge quantities of water in unregulated areas. His bills, according to a statement released by Isaac’s office, will also add limited regulation to portions of otherwise unregulated aquifers and change household water usage laws to better protect Texas water resources.
"Protecting the groundwater of the Hill Country region and the entire State has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to serve House District 45," Isaac said in the statement. "These bills will address the immediate concerns of my constituents in Hays County, and will also help in bringing innovative water saving solutions to Texas by increasing graywater usage and encouraging rainwater collection systems."
Isaac said another proposal will extend the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and another would extend the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which both require a 30-day posting notice prior to filing.
He added that additional legislation will help bring Texas to the forefront of water policy by reducing the tax burden on homeowners who install rainwater collection systems and allow for new domestic uses of graywater.
"In the middle of 2014 I first learned that there was an area of Hays County where the Trinity aquifer wasn't protected. Immediately, I began conversations with local elected officials, charged with protecting our groundwater, about solutions that would cover the unprotected area of the Trinity," Isaac said. "The recent discovery of a proposal by a Houston-based company to pump 5 million gallons per day from an area just outside the boundary of a priority groundwater management area increased the urgency to find a solution."
He also praised this week's resolution by the Hays County Commissioners Court in support of legislation to establish local protection of the Trinity aquifer.
Isaac will host a town hall to address water concerns at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10, in Johnson Hall at the Wimberley Community Center, located at 14068 Ranch Road 12. For more information, call 512-463-0647.
