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Lavaca voters defeat groundwater district

Another election can be called in two years

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  • Sonny Long •
  • Originally published May 11, 2008 at 12:17 a.m., updated May 11, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.

HALLETTSVILLE – For the second time, voters in Lavaca County have turned down formation of a permanent groundwater conservation district. It also failed at the polls in 2001.

In June 2007, the Texas Legislature created a temporary district with House Bill 4029, and voters were to decide whether to make the district permanent.

The proposition failed with 57 percent of the vote, 1,696 to 1,262.

Groundwater district opponent B.J. Nolen said he was pleased with the victory.

“The longer this goes on, the more people will understand what will happen,” he said. “Each individual has a chance to protect our own water right now.”

Larry Svetlik, president of the district’s temporary board of directors, said he was disappointed, “but we live in a democratic society.”

“Our job as a board was to get the information out. We have to live with the results,”Svetlik said. “When Lavaca County runs out of water, we need to think back on how we voted, look to the people who help get this defeated and ask them to take charge and take care of our water.”

Svetlik explained that since permanent formation of the district was defeated, the temporary board of directors becomes “null and void.” Another election can be called in two years.



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Comments

  • RichardFromShiner RichardFromShiner Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    hehehe looks like you guys will have to wait a few more years to slap a meter on MY well. Better go think of something else to tax in the meantime...

    May 13, 2008 at 5:02 p.m.
  • BR BR Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    It is unfortunate that Lavaca will not have a "place-at-the-table" when it comes to managing their groundwater in Goundwater Management Area 15. See map here--> http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/mapping/m... Other surrounding county districts must now estimate the needs in Lavaca and determine the future condition of the aquifer in GMA-15 without input from Lavaca. Voters have in effect given up any control they could have had and the archaic common-law "Rule-of-Capture" prevails. This was never about meters on wells as opponents suggested. This was about having the power to regulate aquifer depletion and the export of water.
    Bill Richter - Victoria

    May 11, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.