HomeMy WebLinkAbout028081 RES - 02/24/2009Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION
ON EXPORTATION OF GROUNDWATER FROM THE NUECES RIVER
BASIN
WHEREAS, there are direct and important interconnections between surface waters
and groundwaters in the Nueces River Basin;
WHEREAS, as the population of South Texas expands and new surface water supplies
become increasingly limited and expensive to develop, there is increasing interest in
developing and marketing groundwater;
WHEREAS, exportation of large amounts of groundwater from aquifers within the
Nueces River Basin could potentially decrease or eliminate spring flows, reduce surface
flows, with possible adverse effects on downstream surface water rights and water
supply facilities, and adversely affect groundwater supplies needed for current and
future domestic, municipal, and agricultural uses;
WHEREAS, scientific knowledge of groundwater supplies in the Nueces River Basin,
and particularly the upper Nueces River Basin, which is influenced by the highly
fractured Edwards and Trinity -Edwards aquifers, is uncertain and at times conflicting,
and new studies are continuing to develop; and
WHEREAS, until the consequences of exporting large quantities of groundwater from
aquifers in the Nueces River Basin are better understood, it is prudent to oppose
proposed exportations of groundwater from the aquifers in the Nueces River Basin and
any actions designed to facilitate the exportation of groundwater;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
SECTION '1. It is the policy of the City of Corpus Christi to discourage development of
groundwater resources within or outside of the Nueces River Basin, when the
development could reasonably be expected to reduce the availability of surface water or
groundwater resources within the basin that are needed:
a. For current and projected domestic, agricultural, municipal, industrial,
recreational, and other beneficial uses within the areas served by the City of
Corpus Christi's water supplies.
b. To preserve the yield of the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi Reservoir
System.
c. To protect environmental flows within the Nueces River Basin, including
springs, instream flows, and freshwater inflows to the bays and estuaries.
Resolution -- Exportation of Groundwater from Nueces Basin 02162009
028081
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SECTION 2. The City of Corpus Christi encourages more studies to better
understand groundwater resources in the Nueces River Basin, the interconnection of
groundwater and surface water resources, and the economic, social, and environmental
consequences of exporting large quantities of groundwater from the Nueces River
Basin.
SECTION 3. In view of all of the above, the City of Corpus Christi specifically opposes
the exportation of large quantities of groundwater from Kinney and Uvalde counties as
is being contemplated by several entities, the construction of pipelines to facilitate the
exportation of ground water from the aquifers within the Nueces River Basin, and any
amendments of the Edwards Aquifer Authority statute that would facilitate the
exportation of groundwater from the aquifers within the Nueces River Basin until such
time as the consequences of the exportation of groundwater on Nueces River Basin
water supplies and surface water permit holders are better understood.
SECTION 4. The City of Corpus Christi encourages dialog and cooperation among all
parties involved in or potentially affected by groundwater exportations from the Nueces
River Basin to help achieve water supply programs that maximize benefits to all and
minimize harm done.
ATTEST:
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
APPROVED: February 16, 2009.
R. J e Ing
Fir As stant City ttorney
For City Attorney
THE OF CO' ' US CHRISTI
ri/Lt id S//. i /%
enry Garr • tt
Mayor
Resolution -- Exportation of Groundwater from Nueces Basin 02162009
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Corpus Christi, Texas
24aof
, 2009
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Henry Garrett
Melody Cooper
Larry Elizondo, Sr.
Mike Hummell
Bill Kelly
Priscilla G. Leal
John E. Marez
Nelda Martinez
Michael McCutchon
Sat -
Art
i/(,
028081
Resolution — Exportation of Groundwater from Nueces Basin 02162009