Voters overwhelmingly approve groundwater district

Related Photos

November 7, 2007

Anonymous The Weatherford Democrat Wed Nov 07, 2007, 09:31 AM CST

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

Slightly over 78 percent of voters in Montague, Wise, Parker and Hood Counties supported the creation of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, according to election results announced Tuesday.

In Parker County, the measure passed by a three-to-one margin, with a total of 5,545 ballots cast in favor of the district and 1,877 against.

By requiring water well production data and forcing new wells to adhere to certain spacing requirements, the district is meant to safeguard groundwater supplies, which are experiencing more pressure than ever before as population trends in the four-county area continue to increase.

State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) pushed the district’s enabling legislation through the House during the most recent meeting of the State Legislature. King noted the Upper Trinity district is the only district in the state with any regulatory authority over water wells used for oil or gas production.

“That long drought we just finished was probably a blessing in the sense that it brought this situation that we all knew was out there to a head,” King said. “This is going to be one of those things that 10 or 20 years down the line we’re going to be very glad we did.”

Now that voters have confirmed the district, King said this is where he bows out.

“The temporary board members from the four counties will get this thing up and running, and hopefully accomplish the purpose that was intended,” he added.Karin Malone and Larry Jones were appointed to represent Parker County among the district’s temporary board of directors.

As he waited for the final results to be announced at the Parker County Courthouse Annex, Jones was matter-of-fact about the road ahead. One of the district’s first actions, he said, will be to meet with existing groundwater districts to find out the best way to establish baseline information.

“We can Easter egg hunt with the other water districts and essentially tailor our own program,” he said.

Jones listed rapid population growth, the district’s location in the Trinity Aquifer recharge zone and burgeoning Barnett Shale natural gas production as some of the district’s specific characteristics.

Kathy Chruscielski, a local groundwater advocate who was instrumental in mustering support for the new district, called its confirmation a big step in the right direction. In addition to usage reports and spacing requirements, Chruscielski hinted the district may bring about more stringent wastewater injection well standards.

“Some other districts have been successful in protesting [injection well] permit applications, and negotiating with the drilling company to get more monitoring, so there is early detection if contamination occurs,” she said. “We’re in a recharge zone and that contamination can migrate. That’s a big concern.”

The directors will be keeping an eye on water quality too, according to Jones.

“This water is going into the porous soil of the western Cross Timbers region, and anything that attaches to that water on its way down is going to wind up in our wells,” he said.

Jones acknowledged King and Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) for their role in creating the district.

“And I would like to thank the voters of Parker County for passing this initiative, and while I can only speak for myself, I can assure them that I will be working to provide for all residents of the area, not just the few with special agendas,” he said.

Along with two temporary directors from each of the other three counties, Malone and Jones are scheduled to hold the district’s first official meeting at the Parker County Courthouse Nov. 15.

Text Only

CNHI News Service Originals

Of weddings and bail money Memorable mistakes happen at almost every wedding.

The ring bearer’s tux is too large, the maid of honor’s shoes are the wrong color, the videographer shows up drunk, the mother of the bride gets too close to the candles on the altar and singes her dress.
October 16, 2009
The curse of Friday the 13th Be extra careful tomorrow.

Don’t walk under any ladders, break any mirrors or cross the paths of black cats.

It’s Friday the 13th.
February 12, 2009
Congressman misplaces priorities
December 19, 2008
North Texas weathering financial downturn Headlines tell of a faltering stock market, grim job prospects and an economy in free fall as the country welcomes a new administration.

However, Texas, and specifically Parker County, may be a good place to ride out the current financial storm.
November 28, 2008 1 Photo
It’s not just your usual Sunday buggy ride ... ‘You just passed gate three, looking for gate four!” yells the navigator as the vehicle careens action-movie style — two wheels on the ground, two in the air — around the tight curve. The navigator hangs on precariously, leaning to the high side to balance the rig.
November 28, 2008
Voting never gets too old for this centenarian LAWRENCE, Mass. — Anna French has an airtight alibi for not voting when she turned 18._In 1919, women couldn't vote.
January 12, 2008
Pay gap still separates men, women of equal education TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Clinton administration ushered in America’s first woman secretary of state, Madeleine Albright; the George W. Bush administration was witness to the first woman speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
December 20, 2007
Will Joe Tison run for state rep? Local scuttlebutt whirred last week after Texas Weekly, a political newsletter based in Austin, suggested four-term Weatherford Mayor Joe Tison is a likely future candidate for the District 61 House seat currently held by State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford).
November 13, 2007
Voters overwhelmingly approve groundwater district Slightly over 78 percent of voters in Montague, Wise, Parker and Hood Counties supported the creation of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, according to election results announced Tuesday.
November 7, 2007 1 Photo
Survival of 10-year-old Alabama boy called miracle TONEY, Ala. — Jim Wiese doesn’t know why he was so compelled to go to find his son on a warm September day as the 10-year-old and a friend rode the family’s go-cart in a nearby pasture in Toney, Ala.
October 22, 2007
More CNHI News Service Originals Headlines

The Air Force Academy recently graduated their first openly gay cadets. What does this signify?

CNHI News Service Originals

Search Results

Related Photos

Voters overwhelmingly approve groundwater district

The Air Force Academy recently graduated their first openly gay cadets. What does this signify?

Site Map

Contact Weatherford Democrat