Res 1987-025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-3- 2. Water demand objectives are to provide water of good quality for all regional beneficial purposes; assure water supplies at reasonable costs for beneficial purposes; and to assure that the costs of provision of the water supply for all purposes are shared equitably. In allocating water to meet regional water demands, the objectives for the region would include a balanced consideration of regional economic, environmental, and social needs. B. 3. Environmental and water resource objectives include protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife; protection of habitat; protection of historic, cultural, archeological, and social values; preservation of water-oriented recreational and aesthetic amenities; maintenance of streamflow, and surface and ground water quality. POLICY STATEMENTS 1. Allocation of ground water should be accomplished as a part of a comprehenisve water plan that must include conservation, reuse and surface water development. Further, an average pumping limit of 450,000 acre feet/year should be established based upon a procedure for allocation either by assigning a 2 acre feet/acre amount to irrigated agriculture based upon prior years irrigated land and historic pumpage for previous three years of other water users; or by historic use as established by previous three years pumping for all users. This initial allocation of water rights is not subject to a use fee. Further, any pumping in excess of the 450,000 acre feet/year should be charged a fee for purposes of developing additional water resources. 2. Operations of a regional water resource plan should include a drought contingency plan. This drought contingency plan should be established through a conjunctive effort of appropriate authorities in the region to provide for water resources in the San Antonio, Guadalupe-Blanco and Nueces River Basins. 3. Pending development and implementation of the conjunctive regional drought contingency plan, those water using entities within the region should develop interim drought contingency plans for implementation in the event of a severe drought based on their projected needs. 4. It is recommended that a water conservation plan be implemented that incorporates techniques to reduce water demand and thereby increase water availability. 5. Any water plan demand forecast should involve close coordination wi th economic and industrial development agencies to determine future demand in the region on a periodic basis. 6. Action should be taken to secure participation of the regional military bases in the Water for the Future program. with legislative authority, all water purveyors in the region would be required to institute effective and when necessary, mandatory, water conservation programs.