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CC Resolution No. 498 RESOLUTION NO. 498 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE INTRODUCTION OF A BILL IN THE 64TH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS , CREATING AND ESTAB- LISHING AN UNDERGROUND WATER AUTHORITY FOR THE HARRIS- GALVESTON COUNTY AREA AND URGING THE PASSAGE THEREOF . WHEREAS, the occurrence of land surface subsidence in the Harris and Galveston County area is a serious problem that affects both the business community and general population; and WHEREAS, subsidence results in the loss of coastal land areas or creates the need for expensive levee projects and greatly increases the risks of flooding during hurricanes; and WHEREAS, since subsidence results from the withdrawal of sub- surface water at rates that exceed the natural rate of recharge, the long-range solution will require: 1. Restoration of subsurface water levels to the point necessary to halt subsidence by partially reducing existing ground water extraction rates; 2 . Control of future ground withdrawals to rates that maintain adequate subsurface water levels; 3. Coordination of total area water resources, both underground and surface, consistent with avail- ability, demand growth, and climatic conditions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS : Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, feels that the solutions to subsurface withdrawal of water as stated above will best be accomplished by the establishment of an underground water authority for the Harris-Galveston County Area. Section 2 : That, the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, feels that the best interests of the people of this area will be served if this authority governing body be appointed by the local governments within the area containing business and agricultural , as well as public interests , and that no governmental body should be able to appoint a majority of the authority' s governing body members; also funding of the authority' s operation should be from state appropriation through an appropriate state agency. Section 3 : That, the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, recommends that the authority be empowered to do the following: 1. Determine the effective boundaries of the underground water sources as they relate to critical subsidence areas through hydrologic studies, maximizing the use of available data and previous investigations; 2 . Establish a regulatory system to control the spacing and drilling of new wells and to grant permits for existing wells above some nominal pumping rate; 3. Require that ground water production rountinely be reported to the authority; 4 . Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented and planned ground water-to-surface water conversion projects in restoring water levels and halting subsidence. If ground water withdrawal reductions are not sufficient to halt subsidence, apportion well water withdrawal rates considering user cost- to-benefit ratio for conversion to surface water; 5. Establish an area-wide long-range water management plan in cooperation with existing area water agencies. Such a plan should provide for economic development while avoiding land subsidence. Section 4 : That, the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, respectfully requests the introduction of such a bill in the 64th Legislature of the State of Texas and urges the passage thereof. Section 5 : Effective Date: This Resolution shall take effect from and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown Texas. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of Baytown this 23rd day of January, 1975 . TOM GENTRY, Mayor ATTEST: EDNA OLIVER, City Clerk APPROVED: NEEL RI D ON, City tto -I)-