Following a Feb. 21 public hearing, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD) Board of Directors voted to adopt an enforcement policy and civil penalty schedule as part of the water district’s rules.
The approved policy included a two-year moratorium on the enforcement policy and civil penalty for exceeding the district’s allowable groundwater production rate (APR) during 2012 and 2013.
In addition, the directors also approved a two-year moratorium on the enforcement policy and civil penalties for (1) failure to install meters on new wells and/or well systems by the Jan. 1, 2012 deadline and (2) reporting requirements for groundwater production.
“The amendments to the High Plains Water District rules that were adopted July 19, 2011 are still in effect. They have not been changed or rescinded. The Feb. 21 board action establishes a two-year moratorium (2012 and 2013) on enforcement and penalties in these specific areas only. This will allow groundwater users additional time to familiarize themselves with the new rule requirements,” said District Manager Jim Conkwright.
In other business, the HPWD Board of Directors approved an 18-month study to determine a methodology to (1) delineate areas within the district where the Ogallala Aquifer is incapable of producing 1.25 acre-feet per acre per year and (2) evaluate effectiveness and reliability of using alternative methods (other than water meters) to measure groundwater production.
An agricultural stakeholder advisory group will assist district staff with the study.
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