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Conroe council authorizes settlement with San Jacinto River Authority to address water-supply dispute
Summary
After executive-session discussion, Conroe council authorized the mayor to execute a mutual release and settlement with the San Jacinto River Authority tied to groundwater reduction plan litigation and related matters, citing immediate water needs and long-running litigation.
Conroe — The Conroe City Council on Aug. 14 authorized the mayor to execute a mutual release and settlement agreement with the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) addressing a longstanding dispute over the groundwater reduction plan (GRP) and related litigation.
Councilmembers described the dispute as contentious and long-running; supporters of the settlement argued it will increase the city's water supply immediately, mitigate capacity issues and allow the city to resume development activity that has been under moratorium. Dan Coparst of the Howard Hughes Corporation told the council settling SJRA litigation would increase water supply and help lift the development moratorium, potentially unlocking significant private investment.
Several councilmembers noted the complexity and seriousness of the decision. The city’s outside counsel who has handled the case for many years participated in negotiations, according to council statements. After deliberation and discussion of the terms (some of which the SJRA must approve before public release), council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the settlement documents.
Why it matters: The settlement could have near-term effects on Conroe's water-supply capacity and the city’s ability to serve growth, and it resolves litigation that has shaped development moratoria and engineering plans for the region.
Next steps: The mayor is authorized to execute the settlement and related documents contingent on the SJRA's approvals where relevant; staff said some terms would be made public following SJRA review.
