Shenandoah council hears update on regional groundwater guidance from GMA 14; staff says city not constrained by local pumping limit
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Summary
Council received an update on a proposed regional pumping guidance (200,000 acre‑feet per year by 2080) from GMA 14; staff said the guidance is regional and not a city‑specific cap, and members sought clarification on conversions and implications for Shenandoah.
Council members on Feb. 25 discussed a staff update regarding a letter of support the city is prepared to send to Groundwater Management Area 14 (GMA 14) and Lone Star in support of a regional pumping guidance that would target up to 200,000 acre‑feet per year by 2080 for the GMA region.
A staff member said the letter is intended as support for GMA 14’s regional plan and clarified it is a regional guideline rather than a city‑specific cap. "This is not for city of Shenandoah. It's for the whole GMA everybody that is part of GMA 14," the staff member said.
Council members asked how city pumping compares to the GMA figures and raised concerns about unintentionally constraining local water supplies. Staff provided context, noting current local pumping runs in the 450,000–480,000 gallon range (as discussed in the meeting) and that GMA planning is a multi‑jurisdictional process; staff said the city remains engaged to protect local water needs while participating in regional planning.
Council agreed to continue monitoring the GMA planning process; no binding local action was taken at the meeting.
