Bryan City Council votes to ask GMA 12 to use groundwater model in Simsborough aquifer decision

The Bryan City Council voted unanimously to send a letter to GMA 12 asking that the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District’s groundwater-availability model run be incorporated into the initial adoption of the desired future condition for the Simsborough aquifer. Councilman Salvato moved the measure and the mayor announced the motion carried unanimously after brief discussion.

Councilman Salvato opened the motion on the record, saying, “Mister mayor, I make a motion on 2 b. Motion to send letter to GMA 12 to incorporate Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District's PS 4 dash 3. Groundwater availability model run into the initial adoption of the desired future condition for the Simsborough aquifer.” Several council members spoke in support. One council member said, “I commend the city of Bryan and our staff and the groundwater district for continuing to stay in front of this Groundwater issue,” praising staff work and recent gains toward sustainability.

Speakers stressed the purpose of the letter is to protect local supplies and to encourage regional planning that accounts for future demand from agriculture, economic development and households. The mayor emphasized long-range planning, saying the council must plan for decades ahead and criticized a proposal referenced in the meeting as originating with Allen Day, arguing the city must avoid arrangements that would effectively give away local water. The council’s vote was recorded as unanimous; the transcript does not show individual roll-call votes or an exact tally.

The motion text as spoken included the fragment “PS 4-3,” which was read on the record; the transcript does not clarify that shorthand and it is recorded here verbatim. Council members also noted they are constrained by current Texas law and that further public education and outreach would be part of ongoing efforts to protect groundwater.