STATEMENT OF SIMSBORO AQUIFER WATER DEFENSE FUND RE BASTROP ADVERTISER ARTICLE, JULY 21, 2016 (Note: This message is posted here on behalf of SAWDF, as their website is currently under construction.)
The newly-formed Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF) wants to set the record straight on a misleading front page article in this week’s Bastrop Advertiser. SAWDF has also challenged the Advertiser to correct the story.
The article was based on SAWDF’s recent press release announcing its formation and fundraising campaign. However, the article erroneously described SAWDF’s plans to include intervening in the pending City of Bastrop/XS Ranch permit application at Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (Lost Pines).
Contrary to statements in the article, SAWDF and its organizers have absolutely no involvement in the City of Bastrop’s dispute with landowners over the City’s plan to pump 2,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year for local use. We regret any confusion the article caused.
While SAWDF will monitor local use permits, groundwater export projects will receive the most attention. These projects pose the bigger threat, aquifer-wide, because they require heavy pumping of the aquifer and permanently remove huge amounts of water every year.e article caused.mit to similar projects in other counties.21, 2016 well as individual county lines.
SAWDF’S mission is to educate and assist those who want to protect their local water supply and preserve the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, including the mighty Simsboro aquifer that runs under several Central Texas counties. Our efforts will include assisting and supporting landowners who want to protect their property rights to the groundwater beneath their land for the benefit of all of us.
The article should have focused on our immediate efforts to raise funds to assist what could be a long battle involving very important legal issues. SAWDF will provide financial assistance to local landowners who are trying to become parties to the End Op contested case hearing. They are appealing Lost Pines’ denial of their right to challenge the permit, with a hearing in Bastrop District Court expected this fall.
End Op is seeking a permit to export 46,000 acre-feet of groundwater (almost 15 billion gallons) per year from Lee and Bastrop counties. Because the impacts of massive pumping in the Simsboro extend beyond individual county lines, SAWDF’s outreach will also extend beyond the End Op permit to similar projects in Burleson, Milam and other counties over the Carrizo-Wilcox.
We hope the Advertiser is able to correct their erroneous report so as not to hamper SAWDF’s efforts at this very early and therefore fragile stage of our efforts.
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