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<br />4. Under the first proposal of the EAA Plan, the total amount of authorized permits I <br />would increase by 22%. This increase could lead to a sustained increase in reliance on <br />the Edwards Aquifer that when combined with the proposed critical period reduction <br />"floor" of 340,000 acre-feet per year would likely, in dry periods, lead to cessation of the <br />flow of the Comal Springs, and perhaps even the San Marcos Springs. This would <br />mean that downstream interests would have little to no river flow while at the same time <br />Edward's pumpers would be guaranteed 75% of their current permit amounts. <br /> <br />5. The first two proposals in the EAA Plan represent a significant departure from the <br />original intent of the EAA Act, tipping the balance dramatically towards those who rely <br />on the Aquifer pumping at the expense of those who rely on Aquifer spring flows. <br /> <br />6. The third proposal of the EAA Plan flies in the face of the entire reason for <br />increasing the permit cap, that is, to eliminate any need for compensation related to <br />permit reductions. Compared with the existing provisions of the EAA Act which make <br />EAA permit holders responsible for any needed compensation for (a) the reduction from <br />549,000 to 450,000 acre-feet, and (b) one-half of the reduction from 450,000 to 400,000 <br />acre-feet, with Guadalupe basin permit holders responsible for the other half of the <br />reduction from 450,000 to 400,000 acre-feet, the EAA proposal would increase the cost <br />share burden for Guadalupe basin permit holders from 17% to 50%. <br /> <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF I <br />SAN MARCOS, TEXAS: <br /> <br />Part 1: The City Council of the City of San Marcos, Texas strongly supports all efforts <br />to protect he Edwards Aquifer from overuse, including maintaining pumping caps in <br />legislation. <br /> <br />Part 2: The City Council of the City of San Marcos, Texas strongly supports the efforts <br />of the Guadalupe Basin Coalition to enable legislation to protect Spring Flows, <br />particularly during periods of drought, with inclusion of spring flows as critical period <br />reduction triggers. <br /> <br />Part 3: The City Council of the City of San Marcos, Texas opposes legislation that <br />would increase the total acre-feet of water pumped from the Edwards Aquifer above <br />450,000 acre-feet per year. <br /> <br />Part 4: The City Council of the City of San Marcos, Texas strongly opposes any <br />legislation that would increase payment by downstream Guadalupe Basin permit <br />holders for reductions in pumping capacity by current EAA permit holders. <br /> <br />Part 5: The City Council of the City of San Marcos supports participation by I <br />stakeholders in a cooperative agreement process (Edwards Aquifer Recovery <br />