West Texans To Discuss Plans
For New Groundwater District

FORT STOCKTON — Two public meetings are set for Oct. 7-8 in Iraan and Fort Stockton, respectively, to lay the groundwork for a proposed new Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District. Both meetings start at 7 p.m. in the towns' civic centers.

The meetings are being conducted by the interim directors of the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District. Dr. Bruce Lesikar, Extension agricultural engineering specialist from College Station, will be on hand to present facts regarding the advantages versus disadvantages of forming such a district.

Jed Elrod, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for Pecos County, explains that a groundwater conservation district is a local unit of government authorized by the Texas Legislature and ratified at the local level to manage and protect an area's groundwater.

"The proposed district for Pecos County has already gone through the legislative process," says Elrod. "To become law, the district must now be confirmed by qualified Pecos County voters before Sept. 1, 2003. These two meetings have been scheduled to explain to landowners what is going on and to let them air any concerns or ask any questions they may have."

According to Glenn Honaker, interim chairman for the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District, the purpose of a groundwater district is to provide a local board with the authority and responsibility to develop and implement comprehensive management plans to conserve and protect groundwater resources. The board, made up of 11 elected directors, is charged with maintaining a balance between protecting the rights of private landowners and protecting water resources. This is done by directing their efforts toward preventing waste, collecting data, educating people about water conservation, and preventing irreparable harm to the aquifers.

Voters in the county will decide whether or not to establish the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District during the Nov. 5 general election.

Further information is available from any interim director of the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District. They are Glenn Honaker, Len Bennett, M.R. Gonzalez, Don Barnett, Mrs. Lee Harris, Zan Matthies, John Doriss, Ms. Cindy Williams, and Mike Jernigan.