HCP Newsletter

o c t 2 0 1 8 CONSERVE A newsletter dedicated to providing Edwards Aquifer permit holders useful information about the EAHCP spring flow protection programs

B I G The Next Milestone With Edwards Aquifer Authority staff wrapping up its 2018 public meetings regarding the new rules for the ASR Program, the next big milestone for the program will be a decision deadline for permit holders to participate in the 2019 ASR Program.

FEATURED STORIES page two Recent rains and rising aquifer levels

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Groundwater Trust offers additional incentive

RECENT RAINS & RISING AQUIFER LEVELS

“Because ASR forbearance triggers on a 10-year rolling recharge average, a high 2018 recharge number gives us a lot of confidence that ASR will not triggger in the next few years. That means permit holders can get paid to be a part of the ASR program and still be able to use their water as they normally would during the year.” Said ASR Program Manager Javier Hernandez. “But we need permit holders to finalize all of their paperwork on their new agreements no later than November 1. That means if anyone is still trying to decide on whether or not to participate, those decisions will need to be made soon so we can get the agreement ready and signed by the dead- line.” The trigger for a forbearance year occurs when the 10-year annual rechege average of the Edwards Aquifer is deter- mined to be less than 500,000 acre-feet in any given year. This annual recharge is reported to the EAA in April by the U.S. Geological Survey. $

PRICING Flat fee of $100 per acre-foot per year in both standby years and forbearance years

PROGRAM TRIGGER

CAN USE WATER AS NORMAL OUTSIDE OF FORBEARANCE YEARS Yes

LENGTH OF AGREEMENT 10-years*

10-year annual recharge average is below 500,000 acre-feet. Forbearance occurs in the year following the recharge average determination

ASR PROGRAM

* Note that the length of term will decrease incrementally after year 2019,with any future agreements expiring at the end of 2028

RESTRICTED & UNRESTRICTED WATER AVAILABLE TO ENROLL Yes - Open to all permit holders

FREQUENCY OF PROGRAM TRIGGER More frequently during repeat of drought of record (1950s type conditions).

EXISTING LEASES & AGREEMENTS WILL BE HONORED Yes

CAN PARTICIPATE IN ASR & VISPO AT THE SAME TIME Yes, but not the same water enrolled in VISPO

Would have triggered every year during the drought of record

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groundwater trust offers additional incentive for municipal & industrial (M&I) permit holders During non-forbearance years, permit holders are still required to pay Aquifer Management fees on the water they mantain. M&I permit holders pay an $84 per acree foot fee, so the ASR program payment of $100 per acre foot will more than offset the permit fees. But, if the M&I permit holder chooses to put their water in the EAA’s Groundwater Trust, the Aquifer Management fees are waived. That means the permit holder can make the $100 per acre foot payment for each acre foot entrolled in the Groundwater Trust and ASR program at the same time.

If you would like to have your ASR agreement fully executed and be paid by March of 2019, your enrollment form must be submitted no later than November 1, 2018. Call Javier Hernandez ar 210-222-2204, ext. 139, or email him at jhernandez@edwardsaquifer.org if you have any questions about the ASR Program.

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900 E Quincy San Antonio, TX 78215 eahcp.org

your enrollment form must be submitted no later than November 1, 2018