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<br /> AQUIFER ISSUES: A San Marcos View <br /> 5/1/90 <br /> Page 2 <br /> direction of flow, etc. An underground stream is <br /> state-owned water and subject to state regulation. <br /> Failing such a designation by the court, The GBRA <br /> suit asks the court to fairly adjudicate water <br /> rights in the aquifer. <br /> B. Are aquifer well operators violating the <br /> Endangered Species Act by over-pumping?: <br /> Both the GBRA and the Sierra Club have submitted <br /> letters of intent with aquifer well owners to file <br /> suit in federal court alleging violations of the <br /> Endangered Species Act. Endangered species listed <br /> under the ESA are the fountain darter, San Marcos <br /> gambusia, Texas blind salamander and Texas wild <br /> rice. The San Marcos salamander is listed as <br /> threatened. <br /> III. Aquifer Management--A Possible Solution <br /> A. Regional management of water withdrawal from the <br /> Edwards aquifer is required either through an <br /> umbrella underground water district and/or the <br /> Texas Water Commission. <br /> B. Pumpage from aquifer should be limited to no more <br /> than 450,000 acre feet in years of average recharge <br /> by the year 2000 in order to preserve the flow of <br /> the San Marcos springs. Pumping limits would need <br /> to be limited to approximately 250,000 acre feet to <br /> preserve Comal Springs. <br /> C. Management plan should require regional and local <br /> development and funding for conservation, <br /> wastewater reuse, and the development of alternate <br /> water supplies. <br /> D. Drought management: A regionally applied drought <br /> management plan, including the three river basins, <br /> should be implemented with trigger mechanisms <br /> adequate to maintain the San Marcos springs at <br /> flows which will preserve endangered species. <br /> Mandatory conservation should begin at the 628 msl <br /> of the J-17 index well. Plan should in~lude <br /> priority of uses. <br />