NewsDrop-February-2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

W A T C H EAA BOARD MEETING ON FACEBOOK LIVE:

AQUIFER UPDATE

An aquifer conditions update is reported every month at the EAA board meeting to inform board members and the public about the status of the J-17 Index Well, J-27 Index Well, the Comal Springs

and the San Marcos Springs springflows. These index wells and springs are indicators of the health of the aquifer and critical to drought management.

EAA GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE THERE IS HOPE

FEATURE STORY ROOTING FOR A TEXAS NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPE

FIELD RESEARCH A QUINTET NETWORK

DATA MANAGEMENT EAA WEATHER STATIONS DEBUT ON GLOBAL SYNOPTIC DATA VIEWER For over 25 years, the EAA has maintained a network of weather-related data collection stations.

OF WELLS IS ONLINE AT THE EAA FIELD RESEARCH PARK

We started 2024 like we did 2023 - in a drought.

Monitoring groundwater quality and quantity has always been an important aspect of the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s

Tall and shortgrass prairies were once abundant throughout the state; however, only a fraction of these remnant grasslands now remain.

mission and a core value of science-based policy. PAGE 10

PAGE 12

PAGE 4

PAGE 6

The EAA board meeting takes place every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. You can watch the meetings on Facebook Live or click the link below:

https://edwardsaquifer.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

2024 Critical Period Calculators for EAA Permit Holders

During times of drought our agency implements a drought management plan also known as the EAA Critical Period Management (CPM) Plan, which helps sustain aquifer and springflow levels during times of drought by tempo rarily reducing the autho rized withdrawal amounts of Edwards groundwater permit holders. By curbing pumping from the aquifer during peri ods of little or no rain, this program is designed to slow the rate of decline in aquifer levels and spring discharges until such time that it does

rain and the aquifer can recharge itself.

critical period management by entering different critical period stages. In 2023, the deadline to submit a transfer application changed from December 31, 2023, to January 31, 2024; Therefore, we made the 2023 Critical Period Calculators available on our website until January 31, 2024, as permit holders continued to acquire water rights for their 2023 use. The 2024 Calculators are now available on our website as of February 1, 2024.

EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER

HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN

EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY

EAA OUTREACH SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE EAA REGION A little over 50% of Edwards Aquifer permits are for agricul ture irrigation and support the growing of cash crops and the raising of livestock in the region. PAGE 14

To assist permit holders with calculating or forecast ing reductions of authorized withdrawal amounts we pro vide a calculator to determine the current authorized amount available during times of man datory critical period manage ment. Additionally, we have a second interactive calculator which allows a permit holder to forecast and plan their authorized groundwater with drawal amount available for use during times of mandatory

THE EOC: YOUR AQUIFER EDUCATION DESTINATION A scavenger hunt that creates interactions with nature...

INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT RENEWAL RECAP

IN THE RHYTHMIC PULSE OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Critical Period Calculator: https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/ critical-period-calculator/

The ITP will manage and mitigate the protection of listed species and associated habitats found in the Edwards Aquifer system. PAGE 15

A heartfelt interview with Damon Childs.

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Critical Period Forecast Calculator:

https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/ critical-period-forecast-calculator/

2

3