Proposed well rules prompt commissioner’s call for comment

Precinct 1 Commissioner Bill Neve made the observation during the regular County Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday, which also covered the burn ban, flood-repair damage, federal disaster payments and other matters.

Neve recommended his constituents contact Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District Precinct 1 Director Clyde Waters and express their opinion concerning rules proposed by the district that may require permits for existing and new wells “used solely for domestic, livestock or poultry use.” 

While the district was established to regulate the export and commercial use of groundwater, it is not obligated to issue permits or “meter domestic or ranch wells,” Neve added. 

“I think it is heavy-handed,” Neve said, referring to the proposed rules. 

Groundwater Precinct 3 District Director Todd Fox said the district needs to estimate the total number of domestic and livestock wells in the district, how much water they will produce and what impact they may have on the recharge of aquifers. 

“There isn’t any way to do that without permitting those wells,” Fox added. 

The district will hold a public hearing on the proposed groundwater rules 6 p.m. Nov. 10 in the County Courthouse, said District General Manager Richard Bowers. 

Final adoption of the rules during the hearing was “unlikely,” Bowers added. 

The district proposes to exempt existing or new wells from permits provided the wells cannot “produce more than 17.36 gallons of groundwater per minute” and other conditions, according to the draft of the proposed rules. 

Any person who wishes to receive more detailed information on the meeting or the proposed district rules may call Bowers at (512) 756-4900. 

The burn ban

Although fire alarms have been relatively calm during recent weeks, commissioners agreed Tuesday to maintain the burn ban for the unincorporated regions of the county. 

“We continue to remain dry,” County Environmental Services and Floodplain Director Herb Darling told commissioners. 

The average Texas Forest Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the county is now 628, up 11 points from last week, and the KBDI is as high as 753 in some parts of the county, Darling said. KBDI measures the potential for forest fires based on daily water balance, and the highest index of 800 indicates extremely dry conditions. 

Local media reports on the ban and numerous “Burn Ban in Effect” outdoor signs have helped the county avoid fiery disasters during the past several weeks, Darling added. 

“The signs are working,” Darling said. “They are definitely raising awareness.” 

According to Darling, Burnet Fire Marshal John Erskine recently said, “It has been one of the quietest fire seasons in years.” 

County Judge Donna Klaeger rapped her knuckles on a wooden banister near the judges’ high platform in the courtroom after Darling spoke. 

“Every drought is interrupted by the flood,” Darling quipped. 

“Yeah, that is something to look forward to,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Hibler joked. 

Local deer hunters who have recently converged on the county are to be commended for observing the burn ban, Darling said. 

The ban does allow outdoor fires for “cooking, ceremony or warmth” as long as people tending the fire have a cell phone and water source next to the burn site. However, all hunters must exercise “extreme caution” while lighting campfires, because of dry conditions throughout the county, officials have said. 

Road and bridges

Turning to discussion of bridge and road repairs still in progress since the June 2007 flood, Hibler said workers have completed repairs to flood-damaged CR 328 near Cow Creek, and repairs to CR 343 near Camp Creek “may be wrapped up” before the end of next month. 

“It seems like the weather is cooperating,” Hibler added, referring to the schedule for repairs to CR 343. 

The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, the Lower Colorado River Authority and the county are negotiating an interlocal agreement that may permit LCRA staff to assist with the cleanup of flood-damaged Camp Creek Park, officials have said. 

Also pertaining to the flood, Darling said he hoped the Federal Emergency Management Agency would complete its analysis of the Highland Haven Dry Creek Crossing Improvement Project within “a week to 10 days.” 

“Hopefully, that will be the last hurdle before the release of funds,” Darling said, referring to a grant of $350,000 set aside for the project by the State Office of Rural Community Affairs. 

Also regarding the ORCA grant, the court officially designated Klaeger and County Auditor Kevin Smith as authorized signatories for the grant, officially known as the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program Contract 72787. 

In other business, Precinct 2 Commissioner Russell Graeter said he would meet with County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, Precinct 2 Constable Chuck Caraway, Smith and County Treasurer Betty Trapp to discuss liability and other issues related to the possible revision of a county personnel policy to include unpaid deputy constables. 

Caraway reported Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 4 for the Bertram area has established an ad valorem tax rate at 7.8 cents per $100 of property valuation, and the district has “received the first check already.”

An ESD is a political subdivision accepted by voters that collects property taxes to fund fire protection, emergency services or both. Under the Texas Constitution, an ESD can levy no more than 10 cents per $100 of assessed property value. 

Caraway is president of the ESD No. 4 board of directors, which also includes Dear Dearmont, Irene Denton, Tice Porterfield and Mary Schulze.

The board has appointed a committee to work on “setting standards and rates for different types of responses” by the Bertram Volunteer Fire Department “and instances in which bills should be sent and to whom,” including flagrant burn-ban violations and calls to clean up hazardous material, Caraway said.

Also, Caraway reported the County Veterans Service Office recently received 60 applications for health benefits from Veteran Affairs clinics in Austin, Kerrville and Temple. Caraway is the county veterans service officer, as well as a constable and ESD president. 

Also regarding veterans, the commissioners passed a resolution to recognize Nov. 11 as Veteran’s Day. 

“It is fitting to that all Texas honor America’s military veterans, including Texas’ 237,000 living veterans, 3,200 in Burnet County, through whose service and sacrifice we today enjoy freedom and liberty,” according to the resolution. 

raymond@thepicayune.com