District Authority and Management
North Plains GCD is a local groundwater conservation district operating under Texas law. The District carries out its groundwater-management responsibilities through its adopted rules, management plan, permitting requirements, production reporting and other programs intended to conserve and protect groundwater resources.
District Rules
North Plains Groundwater Conservation District adopts and administers rules under the authority of the Texas Water Code. These rules establish requirements for groundwater conservation, well registration and permitting, production, metering, reporting and other activities within the District.
District rules may be amended to remain consistent with state law, the District Management Plan and changing groundwater conditions.
The rules of the District may be amended from time-to-time to comply with the District’s groundwater management plan and any revisions to the Texas Water Code by the Texas Legislature. The rules may also be amended because of a change in the condition or use of the Ogallala aquifer.
District Management Plan
The North Plains Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors adopted the mission statement:
“Maintaining our way of life through conservation, protection, and preservation of our groundwater resources.”
The Texas Water Code requires the District to adopt a management plan addressing applicable groundwater-management goals, including:
- providing for the efficient use of groundwater;
- controlling and preventing groundwater waste;
- controlling and preventing subsidence;
- addressing conjunctive surface-water management issues;
- addressing natural-resource issues;
- addressing drought conditions;
- addressing conservation, recharge enhancement, rainwater harvesting, precipitation enhancement and brush control where appropriate and cost-effective; and
- addressing the desired future conditions adopted by the District.
The District uses groundwater availability models, information collected through District programs and other relevant resources during the management-planning process.
