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Titus County court hires law firm to pursue regional groundwater conservation district
Summary
The court unanimously approved a professional services agreement with Sledge Law Group to join a multi-county effort forming a regional groundwater conservation district for the Carrizo‑Wilcox aquifer; the court also named a county designee to the multi‑county committee.
The Titus County Commissioner's Court unanimously approved a professional services agreement with Sledge Law Group on July 13 to pursue formation of a regional groundwater conservation district covering parts of the Carrizo‑Wilcox aquifer.
County Judge Cooper told the court the county’s hazard mitigation and emergency operations plans had lapsed, which limited the county’s ability to secure grants, and he framed the groundwater effort as a way to gain local oversight of underground water resources. "This gives us local oversight in this," Judge Cooper said, adding that registering wells and metering could impose costs on landowners but that the district would allow the counties to track aquifer levels and regulate withdrawals.
Judge Cooper said the regional approach pools resources and legal leverage across up to 14 counties. He said participation is voluntary and that a county may opt out later if the district does not serve its interests. "We can get out at any time that we want to get out of the groundwater district," he said.
Court members discussed fiscal and practical concerns raised by the plan. Judge Cooper told the court there is some state funding set aside to assist with related implementation; he referenced roughly $44 million discussed at the state level to support these efforts.
Commissioner Mitchell moved to approve the professional services agreement and to authorize Titus County’s participation; the motion carried unanimously. The court also appointed a Titus County designee to the multiple‑county committee under the agreement.
The agreement with Sledge Law Group authorizes legal services to pursue the district; Judge Cooper told the court the county may terminate the contract if the arrangement is not beneficial. The court did not adopt any regulatory code at the meeting; the action approved legal representation and participation in the multi‑county effort. The county will return to the court with follow‑up as meetings and the legislative timetable require.
Next steps: the county designee will attend multi‑county meetings and staff will report back to the court on timeline, costs and any proposed local ordinances or registration requirements.
