2004

January

January 6, 2004 – The Authority, in cooperation with the San Marcos Waste Water Utility, Texas State University, Aquarena Center, and well owners in the area schedule a tracer test for San Marcos Springs. Authority staff injects small quantities of non-toxic dyes into three caves (Rattlesnake Cave, Primers Fissure, Ezells Cave) in the San Marcos area.

January 13, 2004 – The regular monthly meeting of the Authority Board of Directors is held in Uvalde, Texas. The meeting in Uvalde fulfills a commitment made by the board of directors to the region to hold at least two monthly meetings each year outside of the Authority office in San Antonio.

January 13, 2004 Authority directors accept the resignation of District 4 Director and former Board Chairman Michael D. Beldon. Mr. Beldon was appointed to the board by the Texas Legislature in 1995 and served as chairman from 1995 until his resignation, which took effect December 31, 2003. Authority directors instruct the general manager to proceed with filling this vacancy in accordance with the agencys by-laws.

January 13, 2004 – Authority directors receive a technical briefing on the Authoritys well metering program. The Authority Act requires the Authority to monitor all industrial, irrigation, and municipal wells that withdraw water from the Edwards Aquifer. In keeping with this mandate, the Authority has installed 690 irrigation water well flow meters, at a total cost of approximately $1 million to the Authority and has required municipal and industrial well owners to install 875 water well flow meters since 1996. The Authority monitors and operates one of the largest water well flow meter networks in the United States.

January 13, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for five applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits representing approximately 7,064 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

January 13, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order approving four Initial Regular Permits representing approximately 1,886 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

February

February 10, 2004 – Authority directors vote to deny the permit applications of Mr. David M. Crouch, Mr. Peter B. Denney, and Mr. Steve Gerdes. Authority directors deny the applications based on a recommendation from the SOAH. The permit application for Mr. David M. Crouch is denied because he did not own a well that withdrew and beneficially used groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer during the historical period, (June 1, 1972, through May 31, 1993). Mr. Denneys application is denied because the board determines he could not prove he withdrew water from the Edwards Aquifer and put it to any beneficial use during the historical period. The board also denies a permit for Mr. Steve Gerdes because they determine that Mr. Gerdes application was a duplicate of an application previously denied by the board. These actions by the board represent the judicial authority granted to it by the Texas Legislature. Each applicant may appeal the board's decision to state district court.

February 10, 2004 – Authority directors refer eighteen protested permit applications to SOAH for contested case hearing. These application protests will be heard by a SOAH Administrative Law Judge, who will recommend a final action on each one.

February 10, 2004 – Authority directors receive a technical briefing from Mr. Geary Schindel, Chief Technical Officer on three completed Optimization Technical Studies. These studies are: 1) a geologic structure model of the Camp Bullis area; 2) a geophysical study of the Leona Formation; and 3) a conceptual model of flow in the Edwards Aquifer. These three studies are prepared as part of the Authoritys Optimization Technical Studies program. These studies will improve the Authoritys understanding of the geologic features that control water movement in the aquifer as well as the amount of water discharging from the aquifer.

February 10, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for three applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits representing approximately 375 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

March

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors hold a special meeting to interview three candidates for the Director District 4 position in Bexar County. This position was vacated by Mr. Beldon in December 2003. After a brief interview of each candidate, the board selects Ms. Bonnie Conner, a former member of the San Antonio City Council where she served from 1999 2003. Mr. Douglas R. Miller, Chairman Board of Directors, administers the oath of office to Ms. Conner, who will serve the constituents of District 4 until the next general election in November 2004.

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors vote to approve a new contract with the Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association for the operation of the Authority's 2004 Precipitation Enhancement Program in Uvalde County at a cost of $37,951, or $0.04 per acre (948,783 acres). In addition, the Authority is currently in the last year of a three-year contract with the South Texas Weather Modification Association, managed by the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, to perform cloud-seeding for the Authority in Bandera, Bexar, and Medina counties at a cost of $86,825 per year, or $0.04 per acre (2,170,627 acres).

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting five groundwater withdrawal permits representing approximately 4,040 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for twelve applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits representing approximately 3,868 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors deny Initial Regular Permits for two applicants.

March 9, 2004 Authority directors refer three permit applications to SOAH for contested case hearings. These applications will be heard by a SOAH Administrative Law Judge, who will recommend final action on each one.

March 9, 2004 – Authority directors present the Sixth Annual A.O. Odie Gilliam Agricultural Water Conservation Award to Medina County irrigators Mr. R. Q. Stinson, and his son, Mr. Hilton Stinson.

March 26, 2004 – Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel v. Authority Day and McDaniel appealed the boards final permit decision to reduce their proposed groundwater withdrawal amount. The federal court refused to take jurisdiction, dismissed the lawsuit, and referred the appeal to state court.

March 31, 2004 – Ronald J. Herrmann, Karen H. Herrmann and Columbia Realty Limited v. Glenn K. and Cynthia Lindsey The Hermanns and Columbia Realty sued to resolve ownership of the base irrigation groundwater (BIG) portion of their irrigation permit. The Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio agreed with the Authoritys position that the BIG may not be reserved, and must transfer with the ownership of the irrigated lands.

April

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors vote to begin the process of filling the General Manager position. In March, Authority General Manager Gregory M. Ellis, announced his intent to resign and agreed to remain with the Authority until a successor is named. Authority staff issues a request for proposals for an Executive Search Firm to assist with the hiring process.

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors vote to modify the director single-member district lines in Atascosa County, Comal County, Guadalupe County, and Hays County (District 11 only.) This review is prompted by the 2003 congressional re-districting process and changes made to voter precinct lines by these counties. Authority staff submits these modifications to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval.

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors approve a $330,000 contract between the Authority and Todd Engineers for the Phase 1 analysis of recharge and recirculation (R&R) aquifer management strategy. The proposed analysis of R&R is to provide information for an integrated and coordinated approach to water management. The study will analyze management strategies to optimize the availability of water to users in the Edwards Aquifer pumping region during a repeat of the drought of record, and to address water requirements of endangered species at Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs.

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting one groundwater withdrawal permit representing approximately 355 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors approve an Initial Regular Permit for one applicant who had previously filed a protest on their proposed permit representing approximately 5,000 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

April 13, 2004 – Authority directors deny one Initial Regular Permit application based on a recommendation received from the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The administrative law judge found the Elm Creek Owners Association did not file its application by the deadline of December 30, 1996, as required by the Authoritys rules. This action by the board represents the judicial authority granted to it by the Texas Legislature. An applicant may appeal the board's decision to state district court.

April 23, 2004 – Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel v. Authority - After dismissal of the federal appeal, Day and McDaniel file a new appeal in state court of the Authoritys final permit decision to reduce their proposed groundwater withdrawal amount.

May

May 10, 2004 – Chemical Lime, Ltd. v. Authority - Among other things, Chemical Lime sued the Authority stating the December 30, 1996 deadline established by the Authority for filing an Initial Regular Permit application was improper, and that the correct deadline was Feb. 16, 1997. After a jury trial, the court entered judgment for in favor of the plaintiff.

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors authorize staff to schedule public hearings for rules to further implement the Junior/Senior permit rules. The first set of rules, adopted in December 2003, helped the Authority avoid having to purchase Initial Regular Permits to meet a 450,000 acre-foot pumping cap. These final rules will divide Initial Regular Permits into two portions. One portion of the permit, the Junior groundwater withdrawal right, can be used by permittees only when the Edwards Aquifer is above 665' above msl at the J-17 index well (San Antonio pool) and 865' above msl at the J-27 index well (Uvalde pool). The second portion, the Senior groundwater withdrawal right, can be used at any time, but may be subject to water use reductions when the Edwards Aquifer drops below 650' above msl at the J-17 well, and 845' above msl at the J-27 well. Public hearings for these rules as well as rules regarding fees and the implementation of the Authoritys Comprehensive Water Management Plan will be scheduled for June 2004.

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors vote to approve a conservation easement agreement between the Authority and the Nature Conservancy of Texas for Ezells Cave in San Marcos at no cost to the Authority. The cave is known to contain the Texas blind salamander, a species that is protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and a species the Authority is required to protect pursuant to the draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors receive a technical briefing from Dr. Sue Hovorka, The University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG). Dr. Hovorka demonstrates a three dimensional (3-D) representation of the Edwards Aquifer that indicates the dynamics of the aquifer system. The work performed in cooperation with the Authority, Witte Museum, San Antonio Water System, U.S. Geological Survey, and Worthington Groundwater was developed for an Edwards Aquifer educational exhibit currently under construction at the Witte Museum.

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting one groundwater withdrawal permit, representing approximately 740 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for three applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 2,250 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

May 11, 2004 – Authority directors refer one permit application to SOAH for contested case hearing. This application will be tried before a SOAH Administrative Law Judge, who will recommend a final action on this permit application.

June

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors vote to accept the resignation of Cheryl Gilpin, Director District 8 Comal County. Ms. Gilpin was elected to the board in November 2002 to fill an unexpired term left vacant by former Comal County District 8 Director Rita Banda. The board instructs the general manager to proceed with filling this vacancy in accordance with the agency’s By-laws.

June 8, 2004 – Authority General Manager Gregory M. Ellis announces the resignation of Mr. Rogelio Muoz, Director District 14 Uvalde County. Mr. Muoz was an original member of the board appointed by the Texas Legislature in 1993, and elected to the board in 1996 and 2000. The board will take formal action regarding Mr. Muozs resignation at the July board meeting.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors authorize the publication of proposed rules to amend several chapters of EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY RULES. These proposed rules include clean-up amendments to several chapters of existing rules, and a new set of rules regarding enforcement. The clean-up amendments will allow for clarity and improved administrative efficiency. These amendments generally modifying well registration requirements, exempting of federal facilities from permit and fee requirements, and excluding small capacity permitted wells (3 acre-feet or less) from requirements of the conservation and demand management/critical period management rules. The enforcement rules generally deal with enforcement actions by the general manager and the board as well as administrative and civil penalties that may be assessed when a violation of the Act or Authoritys rules occur. Public hearings for these proposed rules are scheduled for August 2004.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting six groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 123 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors approve an Initial Regular Permit for two applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 316 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors select the Waters Consulting Group, Inc., to conduct an executive search for someone to replace Authority General Manager Gregory M. Ellis. In March, Mr. Ellis announced his intention to resign in September as general manager.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors refer two permit applications to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for contested case hearings. These applications will be tried before a SOAH Administrative Law Judge, who will recommend a final action on each one.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors recognize the winners of the Authoritys 2004 book cover contest. Be Aquifer Aware is the theme of the 2004 book cover contest. More than 400 schools are invited to participate in the contest. The winning designs are printed on more than 300,000 book covers to be distributed by the Authority to students throughout the region. The first place winner in the 1st through 5th grade category is Delaine Smith, a 5th grade student from Jordan Intermediate School in Schertz, and the winner in the 6th through 12 grade category is Jonathan Diaz, an 11th grade student from the International School of the Americas in San Antonio. The winners also receive a U.S. Savings Bond and a certificate of participation.

June 8, 2004 – Authority directors recognize Ms. Ellen Jones with the 2004 Distinguished Educator Award for her participation in the Authoritys WaterWise program.

June 22, 2004 – Authority v. Chemical Lime, Ltd The Authority files an appeal with the Third Court of Appeals in Austin on trial court judgment finding, among other things, the Authority improperly established December 30, 1996 as the deadline to file an Initial Regular Permit application.

July

July 12, 2004 – Elm Creek Owners Association v. Authority - Elm Creek Owners Association appeals the final order of the board denying their application for an Initial Regular Permit because they filed it late. Elm Creek Owners Association challenges the validity of the December 30, 1996 deadline established by the Authority.

July 13, 2004 – The regular monthly meeting of the Authoritys board of directors is held in New Braunfels, Texas. The meeting in New Braunfels fulfills a commitment made by the board of directors to the region to hold at least two monthly meetings each year outside of the Authority office in San Antonio.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors vote to appoint Mr. Ramon Chapa Jr. as Director District 8 Comal County to fill the position vacated by Ms. Cheryl Gilpin, who resigned in June. Mr. Chapa is a resident of New Braunfels and is an active member of the community.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors accept the resignation of Mr. Rogelio Muoz, Director District 14 Uvalde County. Authority directors direct the general manager to proceed with steps necessary to fill this vacancy.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors adopt a resolution calling for the election of seven voting members to the board of directors of the Authority from seven single-member districts within the boundaries of the Authority to be held on November 2, 2004. Authority staff will move forward with steps to proceed with the election.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors adopt a resolution supporting the concept of a City of San Antonio aquifer protection initiative to preserve property over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in Bexar, Comal, Hays, Medina, and Uvalde counties.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting eight groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 1,613 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

July 13, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for seven applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 557 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

August

August 10, 2004 – Authority directors vote to deny the Initial Regular Permit applications of Mr. Robert J. Schulte and Peavy Ranch. The applications are denied based on a recommendation received from the SOAH. The permit application for Mr. Robert J. Schulte is denied because the well does not require a permit. In addition, SOAH determined the applicant did not own a well that withdrew and beneficially used groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer during the historical period, (June 1, 1972 through May 31, 1993). The Initial Regular Permit application for Peavy Ranch is denied because it was filed with the Authority after the December 30, 1996.

August 10, 2004 – Authority directors approve proposed rules to amend AUTHORITY RULES, including ch. 711 (Groundwater Withdrawals), subchapter C (Exempt Wells). This rule proposes to add an additional requirement for existing, otherwise exempt wells. This requirement is necessary when the ownership of the land on which the well is situated is being transferred. The general manager will now publish these proposed rules for public comment.

August 10, 2004 – Authority directors approve a contract between the Authority and Southwest Research Institute to study the Edwards Aquifer flow system in Uvalde County. This study is part of the Edwards Aquifer Optimization Program (OTS), a comprehensive program for the study and management of the Edwards Aquifer.

August 10, 2004 – Authority directors approve an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the Authority and the San Antonio Water System to fund the installation of new monitoring wells, and to collect data from existing monitoring wells. The purpose of these wells is to evaluate and monitor the position of the Edwards Aquifer freshwater/saline water interface. This study is part of the OTS, a comprehensive program for the study and management of the Edwards Aquifer.

August 10, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting eleven groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 98 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

August 10, 2004 Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for three applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 499 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

August 10, 2004 – The Authority kicks off a well registration campaign. The Be Well Informed campaign will assist well owners within the Authoritys eight county region with registering all existing household and/or livestock wells completed in the Edwards Aquifer. The Authority Act requires the Authority to register all Edwards Aquifer wells.

August 24, 2004 – A special meeting and joint board workshop is convened between the Authority Board of Directors and the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees.

September

September 9, 2004 – Authority staff holds groundwater conservation plan (GCP) workshops for irrigation users in Uvalde and Medina counties to inform them of the Authoritys GCP requirements.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors vote to appoint Mr. Joe Parker as Director District 14 Uvalde County. The board appoints Mr. Parker to fill the position vacated by Mr. Rogelio Muoz, who resigned from the board in July. Mr. Parker is a resident of Uvalde and is an active member of the community.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors adopt a resolution declaring unopposed candidates elected to office from five single-member districts within the boundaries of the Authority. They are District 2 Director (Bexar County) – Levi Jackson, III, District 4 Director (Bexar County) – Bonnie Conner, District 8 Director (Comal County) – Ramon Chapa, Jr., District 10 Director (Hays County) Kenneth Barnes, and District 12 Director (Medina County) – Hunter Schuehle.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors appoint Ms. Velma R. Danielson, Interim General Manager of the Authority until the position of General Manager is filled. Ms. Danielson currently serves as Deputy General Manager and has worked at the Authority and its predecessor agency for 14 years. Gregory M. Ellis, General Manager submits his resignation to the board effective October 4, 2004.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors receive a report from Mr. Gene Dawson, Pape-Dawson Engineers, on the recommendations of the Authoritys Water Quality Advisory Task Force. Mr. Dawson served as a member of the task force appointed by the Authority in November 2003. The recommendations encompass several categories to protect the water quality of the Edwards Aquifer, and include research, education, and regulation.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting eleven groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 5,600 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for ten applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 2,560 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors deny one Initial Regular Permit application, representing approximately 29 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors vote to deny the Initial Regular Permit application of Mr. Glenn & Mrs. JoLynn Bragg. This action is based on a recommendation from SOAH. The Braggs permit application is denied because SAOH determined that the applicants did not own a well that withdrew and beneficially used groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer during the historical period June 1, 1972 through May 31, 1993.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors vote grant the Initial Regular Permit applications for Mr. Glen W. Morgan and Ms. Charlotte Woodley. Action on these applications is based on recommendations received from SOAH.

September 21, 2004 – Authority directors approve a $250,000 contract with the Witte Museum to fund the Edwards Aquifer Simulation Theatre. The theatre will provide a real-time 3-D immersive experience of a journey through the Edwards Aquifer. The theatre, part of the Witte Water Works exhibit, is scheduled to open in March 2005.

September 28, 2004 – Peavy Ranch v. Authority Peavy Ranch appeals the final order of the Authority denying their application for an Initial Regular Permit because it was filed late. Peavy alleges constitutional due process deficiencies for failure to the Authoritys failure to provide notice to them of the requirement to file for an Initial Regular Permit by the deadline.

October

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors vote to appoint Mr. Robert Potts as the Authoritys General Manager. In this position, Mr. Potts will manage all aspects of the Authority operations, including a staff of 60 employees and a $13.5 million budget. Mr. Potts comes to the Authority from the Westcave Preserve in Travis County, where he served as Executive Director.

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors receive a report from Chairman Gary Middleton, South Central Texas Water Advisory Committee (SCTWAC), on the 2004 Authority Effectiveness Report. The 2004 report covered: 1) effectiveness measures addressed in the 2002 report, 2) accomplishments of the Authority, 3) key issues for SCTWAC, and 4) effectiveness measurements for the 2006 report. SCTWAC, established by the Texas Legislature in the Authority Act, was created to provide input to the board on issues related to downstream water rights. One of SCTWACs responsibilities is to submit an effectiveness report on the Authority to the legislature by March 31, of each even-numbered year.

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting four groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 213 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for five applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 539 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors deny two Initial Regular Permit applications.

October 12, 2004 – Authority directors approve the staff evaluation of 1,100 acres of land located on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and Contributing Zone, and instruct the general manager to negotiate a conservation easement on the approximately 630-acre portion of the Reeh Ranch land acquisition in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

November

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors approve a $14.5 million 2005 operating budget. The 2005 aquifer management fee rate for all non-agricultural users is set at $38 per acre-foot. The aquifer management fee for agricultural users was limited by the 77th Texas Legislature to no more than $2 per acre-foot. Non-agricultural users are charged a fee based on their authorized pumping, and agricultural users are charged a fee based on the amount of groundwater actually used.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors approve new final rules for AUTHORITY RULES ch. 717 (Enforcement). These final rules will facilitate enforcement of the Authority Act and the Authoritys rules, orders of the board, and terms and conditions of all permits.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors approve final rules exempting federal facilities from paying aquifer management fees. This action is necessary to achieve consistency with rules adopted in December 2003, exempting wells located on federal facilities from all of the Authoritys rules based on the doctrine of sovereign immunity.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors vote to amend some rules and adopt new rules for chapters 702, 707 and 711 of the AUTHORITY RULES to make non-substantive, editorial corrections, and to address other substantive issues in light of the Authoritys experience in working with the current rules in recent years.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting two groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 332 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for thirty-two applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits representing approximately 16,468 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

November 9, 2004 – Authority directors deny one permit application representing approximately 387 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

December

December 3, 2004 – The Authority seeks nominations for the Seventh Annual A.O. Odie Gilliam Agricultural Water Conservation Award. The award is named for former Authority director, A.O. Odie Gilliam, who was dedicated to the efficient use of Edwards Aquifer groundwater. Deadline for entries is January 10, 2005.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors conduct an Oath of Office Ceremony for directors elected Tuesday, November 2, 2004. The Honorable Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice, Court of Appeals, Fourth District, State of Texas, administers the Oath of Office.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors elect the following officers for 2005: Mr. Douglas R. Miller, District 9 (Comal/Guadalupe counties), as Chairman; Mr. Rafael Zendejas, District 5 (Bexar County) as Vice-Chairman; Mr. Hunter Schuehle, District 12 (Medina County), as Treasurer; and Dr. Levi Jackson, III, District 2 (Bexar County), as Secretary. Ms. Susan K. Hughes, District 6 (Bexar County), is also selected as the At-Large Member to the Executive Committee.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors extend the public comment period for the Authoritys draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) through Friday, January 21, 2005. The original public comment period closed December 3, 2004. However, to give interested parties additional time to consider and analyze the document and provide comments, the Authority will now accept written comments on the draft HCP through 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 21, 2005.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors vote to proportionally adjust all Initial Regular Permits (IRPs) that became effective on or before January 1, 2005, in accordance with the Authoritys rules. The authorized groundwater withdrawal amounts will be re-calculated for Initial Regular Permits for the Year 2005 to meet the 450,000 acre-foot pumping cap.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors adopt an omnibus final order granting three groundwater withdrawal permits, representing approximately 489 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater withdrawal rights.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors approve Initial Regular Permits for fifteen applicants who had previously filed protests on their proposed permits, representing approximately 10,590 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors deny one permit application representing approximately 132 acre-feet of Edwards Aquifer groundwater.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors approve one application, totaling approximately 45 acre-feet, to transfer the use of this groundwater right from west of Cibolo Creek to points east of the creek. Cibolo Creek is considered by some to separate that portion of the aquifer most immediately affecting the flow at Comal Springs.

December 14, 2004 – Authority directors dismiss Initial Regular Permit applications for all federal facilities. This action is necessary to achieve consistency with rules adopted in December 2003, exempting wells located on federal facilities from the Authoritys rules based on the doctrine of sovereign immunity.