Houston County Poised to Create First Groundwater District Amidst Aquifer Battle
A proposed resolution to establish a groundwater conservation district is set for a vote Wednesday, as Houston County confronts escalating concerns over large-scale water pumping and its potential impact on the region’s vital aquifer.
Houston County commissioners will convene at 9 a.m. on November 26 at the courthouse in Crockett to consider a resolution that could initiate the formation of the county’s first groundwater conservation district. This move comes as a direct response to mounting pressure from a multi-county legal dispute surrounding extensive groundwater pumping operations.
The resolution, as outlined in the posted agenda, asserts that Houston County’s groundwater is “one of its most valuable resources” and that establishing a district is crucial to “preserve, conserve, protect and prevent waste,” while simultaneously granting the county greater local control over this essential resource.
The debate is unfolding against the backdrop of a contentious fight in neighboring counties, where Dallas investor Kyle Bass and his affiliated companies are seeking permits for approximately 40 high-capacity wells. These wells could potentially extract as much as 16 billion gallons of water annually from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. Opponents, including Consolidated Water, Wayne Sanderson Farms, and residents throughout Anderson and Houston counties, contend that such intensive pumping could severely damage local water systems, deplete private wells, and inflict lasting harm on the aquifer itself.
A Shift in Perspective: From Opposition to Advocacy
For Dr. John McCall, president of Houston County’s five-member groundwater steering committee, the current situation represents a significant departure from his previous stance. “Fifteen years ago, my father and I were the head of the group to stop a groundwater district in Houston County,” McCall revealed in a recent interview. “But had we formed that district back then, it wouldn’t have been strong enough to stop a Kyle Bass. You don’t know what you don’t know — and we didn’t know that back then.”
McCall, a former Crockett mayor and property owner adjacent to one of the proposed drilling sites, emphasized that Bass’s project fundamentally altered the landscape. “I share a fence line with Redtown Ranch,” he explained. “If they’re pulling a billion gallons a year out of the ground next door, that creates a zone of depression. I have six wells on my place. It would drop the aquifer so far that my wells would be non-existent — and that same effect could reach across a huge area.”
The steering committee – comprised of McCall, Consolidated Water General Manager Amber Stelly, attorney Randy Pardon, geologist Barrett Riess, and community member Jim Gaines – was appointed earlier this year to assess the feasibility of establishing a county-level district. Their recommendation was unequivocal: yes.
Vulnerability Without Local Oversight
Currently, Houston County is among a limited number of counties overlying the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer that lacks its own groundwater district. Geologist Barrett Riess previously described this situation as akin to “having a giant holding tank beneath us with no way to manage what happens underground.”
While the Neches & Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD) temporarily halted new permits earlier this year, that decision is facing ongoing legal challenges. Bass has already initiated efforts to overturn rulings that have slowed his project, as reported by The Messenger. Just days ago, a judge affirmed NTVGCD’s decision to revoke previously issued permits pending further hydro-geologic study – a development McCall characterized as another round in a protracted “chess game.”
“This could change tomorrow,” McCall cautioned. “But I will say this — Bass underestimated East Texas. When we all come together and say enough is enough, it’s powerful.”
Addressing Concerns About Metering and Fees
A primary concern voiced by residents, and a factor in the defeat of a previous district proposal 15 years ago, centers on the potential for mandatory well metering and associated water charges. “That will not happen,” McCall firmly stated. “You’ve been using free water up to now; you’re going to keep using free water. Domestic and livestock wells would not be regulated. We’re talking about high-volume wells — 300 horsepower pumps and up. The average family or rancher isn’t going to feel this.”
This position is supported by statements from Riess and Stelly, who have consistently maintained that a district’s focus would be on regulating large-scale industrial or export-oriented wells, not typical household or agricultural usage.
Why Houston County Is Pursuing an Independent District
The steering committee also dismissed the possibility of joining the NTVGCD, citing concerns about maintaining local control. “If we joined them, and then Smith County joined them, suddenly we’d be two votes out of ten,” McCall explained. “They could add meters or raise production fees, and we couldn’t stop it. Nobody is going to protect Houston County like Houston County can.”
A Sustainable Funding Model
To establish a district, the county must demonstrate a viable funding plan to cover operational costs, including legal fees, administrative expenses, compliance monitoring, and the salary of a general manager. The steering committee proposes a hybrid model: a minimal property tax combined with production fees levied on major water users, such as water companies, prisons, or potential large data-center operations.
“At the lowest tax rate allowed, a $1 million property would pay less than $200 a year,” McCall said. “Most people would pay less than $100. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get started and avoid putting the burden on everyday well owners.”
Growing Awareness and Public Engagement
The issue has garnered significant public attention, particularly following reports by The Messenger revealing undisclosed ties between former NTVGCD board member Don Foster and the drilling company ultimately selected for Bass’s project. McCall acknowledged that this reporting “gave us our nose above water” in a fight that previously seemed insurmountable.
Dozens of residents have attended public meetings, including well-attended sessions in Anderson County and Jacksonville, where Bass faced hours of criticism from landowners and water officials. “People understand now that what’s under us is at risk,” McCall said.
Next Steps: Wednesday’s Vote and Beyond
If the commissioners approve the resolution on Wednesday, the county will formally petition the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to create the district. This will be followed by public hearings, the appointment of a temporary board, and ultimately, a county-wide election to determine whether voters approve the district and its funding mechanism.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on November 26 at the Houston County Courthouse and will be accessible to the public both in person and via Zoom.
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To view the complete video interview with Dr. McCall, tune in Sunday to the Houston County News podcast, available on their Facebook page or website at www.messenger-news.com.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
