The Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District manages groundwater resources across multiple counties in southern Texas. It was created in 2003 and confirmed by voters in 2004. The district monitors water wells and sets production limits to ensure equitable distribution of groundwater amongst users. Key economic activities in the region include oil and gas production, agriculture, and uranium exploration. The district works to protect groundwater quality by collecting baseline water data and engaging in rulemaking around mining activities.

1. KENEDY COUNTY
GROUNDWATER
CONSERVATION
DISTRICT
Presentation by Mary K. Sahs to the Texas
Association of Groundwater Districts
October 29, 2014
Kingsville, Texas

3. MISSION STATEMENT
The District’s mission is to develop
and implement an efficient,
economical and environmentally
sound groundwater
management program to
protect and enhance the
groundwater resources of the
District.

4. HISTORY OF KENEDY COUNTY GCD
Created in 2003 by the 78th Texas
Legislature under H.B. 3374.
Confirmed by an election held on
November 2, 2004.
Additional land in Brooks, Hidalgo,
and Willacy counties annexed in
response to landowner petitions.

5. TERRITORY
All of Kenedy County
Parts of Brooks, Hidalgo, Jim Wells,
Kleberg, Nueces, and Willacy
counties
Estimated population = 450 - 500
No major population centers

9. RULES
RULE 5: REPORTING AND
RECORDKEEPING
 5.1 Well Drilling, Completion, and Water Data
Reporting
 5.2 Annual Water Production Report for Non-Exempt
Wells
 5.3 Plugging Report
 5.4 Annual Water Production Report for Exempt Oil
and Gas Water Wells
 5.5 Water Wells Associated with Uranium Exploration
and Mining
 5.6 Texas Surface Coal Mining and Restoration Act
and Water Wells
 5.7 Water Pollution Event Reporting

10. RULE 9: WATER WELLS ASSOCIATED WITH
URANIUM EXPLORATION AND MINING
9.1 Uranium Exploration Activities
9.2 Development of an Area Permit
Application
 9.3 Activities Affecting Groundwater
Allocation

11. RULE 10.4: SPACING FROM
PROPERTY LINES
Wells –
Pumping Capacity
(gallons per minute)
Distance of New Water
Well from Property Lines
(in feet)
Less than or equal to 20 gpm 100
20 to 250 gpm
5 feet per every gallon
per minute
Greater than 250 gpm
10 feet per every gallon
per minute

12. OPERATING PERMITS
PERPETUAL
INCLUDE PRODUCTION LIMITS
LESS THAN 500 AFY APPROVED BY GM

13. PRODUCTION LIMITS
 True correlative rights
 Prior to first MAG –
 Existing wells = highest annual production
preceding 5 years plus 25% or beneficial use
without waste plus 25% - this becomes the
“set aside” in the formula
New wells = 0.75 acre-inches per acre per
year
When MAG issued, MAG changes, or territory
is added, production limits change except for
“set aside” wells

14. PRODUCTION LIMITS
Formula = MAG divided by
number of surface acres in
district minus set aside for
exempt wells and minus set aside
for “existing” permitted wells
Current production limit = 0.6
acre-inches per acre per year

15. RULE 13: WATER WELLS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL, GAS,
AND MINING ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN IN SITU URANIUM
MINING
13.1 District Jurisdiction over Water Wells
Associated with Oil, Gas, and Mining Activities
13.2 Water Wells Associated with Mining
Activities Authorized Under Texas Natural
Resources Code, Chapter 134
13.3 Water Wells Associated With Oil and Gas
Activities

16. JOINT PLANNING
Located in GMA 16.
Most of the District in Coastal
Bend Regional Water Planning
Area (N).
Territory in Hidalgo and Willacy
counties in Region M Water
Planning Area.

18. The primary economic
activities within the District are
oil and gas production and
agriculture (primarily livestock).
Windfarming; uranium
exploration

19. WATER WELL DATABASE

24. WATER WELL MONITORING

26. WATER WELL MONITORING
 The District has been very involved in rulemaking at
the TCEQ and RRC regarding uranium exploration
and mining.
 At the time, there were controversies in near-by
counties about whether water well contamination
had been caused by uranium exploration
 In order to establish background water quality, the
District took pre-exploration water samples from
wells within and surrounding the first (and until now
– only) uranium exploration permitted area in the
District

29. Norias

30. NORIAS
BIRDS

31. Pygmy Owls

32. KING’S INN

33. BOARD MEETING AT KENEDY MUSEUM CARRIAGE HOUSE

34. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Mary K. Sahs
MarySahs@sahslaw.com
512-326-2556
Andy Garza
general_manager@kenedygcd.com
361-294-5336