Aquifer Conservancy Program

AQUIFER CONSERVANCY PROGRAM

Welcome to the Aquifer Conservancy Program. Below is more information and a brochure about the program. Once you are ready to apply, you can fill out the on-line Application for Participation. After you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the program.

Once we have a chance to confirm all the information we will send you the Aquifer Conservancy Program Agreement for your consideration. You will need to sign the Agreement, have it notarized and return it to our office. If you would like to see a copy of the ACP Agreement, there is a link below.

If you have any questions, contact our office at 512-455-9900 or at admin@posgcd.org. We even have a dedicated computer where you can fill out the application at the office.

Notice: we have extended the Sign Up Incentive of $10 per acre for 2022! Sign up anytime during the year!

Online Application for Participation

For a printable Application for you to view – click here.

New Longer Terms with Increased Compensation

The Board of Directors voted to add two new terms to the Aquifer Conservancy Program (ACP)! These new terms will be for commitments of 30 years and 50 years with compensation values of $15 per acre per year and $25 per acre per year, respectfully. These terms have been added to the original term options of 5 years, 10 years and 20 years. All five levels of terms will be available to all current enrollments and all new enrollments. All current enrollees can increase from one term to a higher term and receive the additional compensation for the full year of 2022 if the change in terms is completed prior to October 1, 2022.

As an example, a property of 100 acres currently enrolled for 20 years would realize compensation from the District of $1,000 per year for this effort in conservation. Enrollment of that same property could be changed to the 50 year term and the compensation for that same property would increase to $2,500 per

New Legacy Conservancy Program to Protect the Aquifers in Burleson and Milam Counties

ACP Guidance Document

ACP Brochure

ACP Sample Contract

Town Hall meetings

If you can not attend one of the early Town Hall meetings, below is a recording of the Rockdale Meeting. It is broken into two parts, The program and the Q&A session.

The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District (POSGCD) announced today it is forming the Post Oak Savannah Aquifer Conservancy Program (ACP) to create a legacy of stewardship for landowners. This will enable landowners in the District to commit their groundwater resources to a long-term conservation program. POSGCD is empowered by the State of Texas to preserve, conserve, and protect groundwater resources in Burleson and Milam Counties. This ground-breaking conservation program will allow most landowners in the two counties to partner with the District in its mission to conserve the aquifers in this area.

Persons owning land above the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers in the District will be able to commit the water under their property to the ACP for terms of five, ten, or twenty years while still maintaining full ownership and control of their private property. In addition to the important efforts of conserving water locally for future generations, participants will continue to play an important role in the management of the groundwater resources in our District.

Another thing that makes this program so unique is that the district will pay landowners for their legacy effort in stewardship. Each landowner can still drill or maintain an exempt well for domestic and livestock uses. Landowners can earn $5-$10 per acre, per year for conserving the water under their land.

This is a strict volunteer program, which is funded by fees collected by the district. Payments will be dispersed annually to participating landowners at the end of each year’s commitment.

“This is a very exciting program where individual landowners can work together with the District to protect the water in our aquifers,” said Burleson County Judge. Structured similar to other conservation programs, the ACP rewards landowners for conserving their groundwater. POSGCD Board President Sidney Youngblood added, “This is further evidence of how our Board responds to the concerns of the citizens in our District.” Milam County Judge stated, “As empowered by the State of Texas, Post Oak has done an exemplary job of protecting the aquifers below each landowner’s property while preserving each landowner’s right to produce their water.”

Draft Timeline for development and implementation:

May 25, 2018 – Press Conference for News Release in May 30 Newspapers
June 5, 2018 – Hard Launch and Board Review
June – July, 2018 – Conduct Survey, and host Townhall meetings to give and receive info
August 7, 2018 – Board Meeting Update and Review
August 15, 2018 – Public Update at Milam and Burleson Counties Groundwater Summit with Q & A pamphlets, and “support” signs for public
Sept. 4, 2018 – Board Meeting Update and Revie
October 2, 2018 – Publish Draft PACP for 60 Day Comment Period
December 4, 2018 – Board Review and consider comments received
January 8, 2019 – Board adoption
June 1, 2019 – Begin initial 90-Day Sign-up for PACP with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2020
October 1, 2019 – Receive PACP signup data and Develop 2020 Budget for PACP
November 2019 – Adopt Budget and Fees to fully fund PACP
January 2021 – Payments begin for first commitments