Water Rights

EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers unveiled a revised rule on Monday aimed at clearer permitting and fewer regulatory surprises, such as narrowing which water features fall under federal oversight and confirming exclusions.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is imposing new $1.50 per acre assessment on rural landowners, farmers and ranchers.

Dozens of speakers told EPA and the Corps that ag has borne the brunt of unclear, inconsistent regulations for too long.

U.S. officials and lawmakers have complained that Mexico’s failure to meet its obligations under the treaty is harming Texas farmers. Mexico has argued that it is under drought conditions that have strained the country’s water resources.

The brief supports landowner ownership of groundwater in the Texas Supreme Court case Cactus Water Services LLC v. COG Operating LLC.