TCEQ Water Rights Permit #13631
In January, 2021 TCEQ granted RR 417 (owners of Camp OTX) a 'bed and banks' water rights permit, This permit does not allow the Camp to retain state waters (spring flow, rainfall and runoff). The permit allows them to pump up to 40 acre-ft/yr of groundwater into their two lakes - 30 acre-ft to fill the lakes, and 10 acre-ft for subsequent irrigation. An amendment to this permit is pending review at Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The amendment calls for an 'accounting plan' to ensure that all state waters are rightfully passed downstream.
TCEQ does not determine groundwater availability - that task is the responsibility of the groundwater district. If a groundwater district issues a permit for commercial/irrigation, a water rights permit to fill an impoundment with that groundwater can be sought.