During the regular meeting of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors, Management and General Counsel gave an update on preparations for the upcoming hearing before the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The hearing on November 11, 2009, is to consider the reasonableness of the Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) adopted by the Joint Planning Committee of Groundwater Management Area 1 (GMA 1). The Desired Future Conditions establish a goal for the amount of water to be left in the Ogallala aquifer after 50 years. TWDB representatives will listen to petitions filed by two water rights owners in the GMA 1 area who argue that the DFCs are unreasonable.

The four groundwater conservation districts that make-up GMA 1, including North Plains Groundwater Conservation District, spent more than three years investigating the matter and gathering public comment, before deciding on the DFCs. Through its planning process and cooperation with the other conservation districts, North Plains Groundwater Conservation District believes GMA 1s desired future conditions for the Ogallala aquifer are reasonable and provide for the best management of the regions groundwater resources, said Steve Walthour, General Manager of North Plains Groundwater Conservation District.

In further business, the Board approved 16 new water wells as complete and active wells. There had been 16 wells drilled since the last Board meeting, of which seven were in Dallam County, seven were in Hartley County, one was in Hutchinson County, and one was in Sherman County.

The Board awarded Les Taylor Drilling the bid for construction of the Districts observation well network. The observation well network provides groundwater data for the District to monitor and analyze aquifer conditions throughout the northern Panhandle. The District plans to drill ten additional monitor wells in the next year.

The District also approved contracts for Leon New as the Districts conservationist to develop conservation demonstration projects, and R.J. Vandygriff from Lipscomb to assist the District with conservation education and information programs. Diane Ball, Moore Countys Chief Appraiser, discussed and provided possible solutions to an appraisal error that resulted in a loss of levy to the District. The District will analyze possible solutions available to solve the revenue shortfall.

North Plains Groundwater Conservation Districts mission is to maintain our way of life through conservation, protection, and preservation of our groundwater resources. More information on the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is available on line at www.npwd.org or by calling (806) 935-6401.