Dylan Jones

This document provides an update on the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority's Groundwater Reduction Plan, outlining its strategic direction towards significant groundwater reduction. Key objectives include achieving a 60% reduction by 2025 and an 80% reduction by 2035. The plan details the implementation of surface water supply systems, including the 2010 and 2025 systems, and describes associated regional conversion projects to meet these targets.

The agenda for the Regular Board Meeting included several key items for consideration. These topics included receiving the Hearing Examiner's Report and considering various water well permit applications, reviewing emergency permits, and receiving a presentation from the City of Houston concerning their Groundwater Reduction Plan. Further actions involved considering resolutions to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Gulf Coast Water Authority for a Water Conservation Grant and to award a grant to Texas A&M Agri-Life. The Board also planned to consider authorization for staff to attend the 2026 International Symposium on Land Subsidence in Taiwan, review the General Manager's Report on operational issues, consult with General Counsel on litigation and legislative issues, and potentially take action on a Mutual Release and Settlement regarding Well No. 3606.

The document provides an update on the North Harris County Regional Water Authority's Groundwater Reduction Plan (GRP) conversion. It details the progress of the 30% conversion, current investments and connections for the 60% conversion projected to finish in 2030, and future requirements for the 80% conversion by 2035. Key areas include infrastructure development, financial commitments, and connecting Water Resource Facilities. The update also addresses challenges such as project delays and the depletion of Over Conversion Credits, impacting compliance with the strategic timeline.

The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District's meeting addressed the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, focusing on groundwater regulations and subsidence prevention in Harris and Galveston counties. Key discussion points included the Water Conservation Program (WCP) Fund, aimed at promoting water conservation, and the Science and Research Fund (SRF), supporting scientific research for effective management of the Gulf Coast Aquifer System. The General Fund budget was also reviewed, covering day-to-day operations and capital improvements without any fee increases. The budget supports the District's mission to protect lives and property from the impacts of subsidence through reasonable groundwater regulation.

The meeting included discussion of the Hearing Examiner's Report for April 2024, consideration of emergency permits, acceptance of the Independent Annual Financial Audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, and a resolution approving the 2023 Annual Groundwater Report. The board also considered a resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds to award funding grants from the Water Conservation Program to selected applicants and received a briefing from staff on the status of the Joint Regulatory Plan. The General Manager's Report was submitted, and legal and legislative matters were discussed.