Conserve. Preserve. Protect.
SHOW UP TUESDAY–STOP THE CORPUS CHRISTI WATER POWER GRAB!
SHOW UP TUESDAY–STOP THE CORPUS CHRISTI WATER POWER GRAB!
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The City of Corpus Christi is attempting to expand its control outside city limits — into Nueces County — through the Corpus Christi Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conservation District (CCASRCD). This is not regional cooperation. It is an attempt to consolidate regulatory power over groundwater using a board made up entirely of senior City of Corpus Christi department heads who regulate their own employer and are now seeking to extend that authority into Nueces County.
The CCASRCD operates under Corpus Christi Water, is hosted on the City's website, and every board member is a high-ranking city employee appointed by City Council. These are not neutral regulators — they are city officials regulating their own departments and seeking to expand that authority over groundwater within Nueces County.
CCASRCD Director
• Esteban Ramos — Water Resources Manager, Corpus Christi Water (City Employee)
Board Members — all senior City department heads
• Jeffrey Edmonds — Director of Engineering Services — Term Feb 26 2019 to Dec 31 2025
• Ryan Skrobarczyk — Director of Intergovernmental Relations — Term Jul 17 2025 to Dec 31 2025
• Nick Winkelmann — Interim Chief Operating Officer, Corpus Christi Water — Term Dec 12 2023 to Dec 31 2025
• Dan McGinn — Director of Planning (Board President) — Term Jul 09 2015 to Dec 31 2027
• Bill Mahaffey — Director of Gas Operations — Term Oct 15 2025 to Dec 31 2027
This is consolidation of authority over groundwater, not independent conservation governance.
WHEN & WHERE TO SHOW UP
• Date: Tuesday, October 21
• Time: Meeting begins 11:30 A.M. (best time to speak is during the CCASRCD line-item vote)
• Public Comment: Begins at 5:30 P.M. if you cannot attend earlier
• Location: Corpus Christi City Hall — 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
• Agenda: 🔗 https://corpuschristi.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A...
Attendance matters. Presence in the room and on the record is critical.
WHO TO CONTACT
City of Corpus Christi — tell them to stop expansion into Nueces County
• Mayor Paulette Guajardo — Paulette.Guajardo@cctexas.com
• Roland Barrera — Roland.Barerra@cctexas.com | roland@rbi96.com
• Mark Scott — Mark.Scott@cctexas.com
• Carolyn Vaughn — Carolyn.Vaughn2@cctexas.com
• Eric Cantu — Eric.Cantu@cctexas.com
• Kaylynn Paxson — Kaylynn.Paxson@cctexas.com
• Everett Roy — Everett.Roy@cctexas.com
• Sylvia Campos — Sylvia.Campos@cctexas.com
• Gil Hernandez — Gil.Hernandez@cctexas.com
• City Manager Peter Zanoni — PeterZ@cctexas.com
• City Secretary — citysecretary@cctexas.com
Nueces County Officials — ask them to defend county water jurisdiction
• County Judge Connie Scott — connie.scott@nuecescountytx.gov — (361) 888-0444
• Commissioner Pct. 1 — Mike Pusley — mike.pusley@nuecescountytx.gov — (361) 888-0245
• Commissioner Pct. 2 — Joe A. Gonzalez — joe.gonzalez@nuecescountytx.gov — (361) 888-0296
• Commissioner Pct. 3 — John Marez — john.marez@nuecescountytx.gov — (361) 888-0267
• Commissioner Pct. 4 — Brent Chesney — brent.chesney@nuecescountytx.gov — (361) 888-0268
WAYS TO TAKE A STAND
✅ Show up in person Tuesday at 11:30 A.M.
✅ Speak on the CCASRCD item or during 5:30 P.M. public comment
✅ Register online to speak
🔗 https://www.cctexas.com/.../public-comment-registration-form
• Opens Monday at 8:00 A.M. — closes Tuesday at 4:00 P.M.
• State name and city of residence when speaking
• 3 minutes for Corpus Christi residents / 1 minute for non-residents
✅ Submit a written comment if you cannot attend
🔗 https://www.cctexas.com/.../public-commentinput-form
• Comments submitted before 10:30 A.M. are included in the record
• Later comments still go to Council but may not appear in minutes
Tips for Talking with Officials
✅ Use clear talking points when contacting officials
➤ “I oppose the City of Corpus Christi’s attempt to expand the CCASRCD into Nueces County.”
➤ “Every CCASRCD board member is a City department head — this is a conflict of interest.”
➤ “Keep the City of Corpus Christi out of Nueces County groundwater management.”
“Don’t Tred on Nueces County.”
What’s New?
About the Nueces Groundwater Conservation District
The Nueces Groundwater Conservation District (NGCD) was established to protect, preserve, and manage the groundwater resources of the Nueces River Basin for the benefit of current and future generations. Our mission is rooted in the belief that water is not just a resource—it’s a shared responsibility. By maintaining a balance between use and conservation, NGCD ensures that local landowners, communities, and ecosystems can thrive together.
Commitment to Community
At NGCD, we believe that conservation begins with connection. We’re committed to keeping the public informed through accessible reports, community meetings, and our blog, The Current — where we share regular updates on salinity levels, river conditions, and water management efforts. Our goal is to empower every resident and landowner in the basin to take part in protecting the water that sustains us all.
Protecting What Runs Deep
The Nueces Groundwater Conservation District is dedicated to safeguarding the water beneath our feet—the very foundation of life, growth, and community in South Texas. Through ongoing monitoring, data transparency, and local collaboration, NGCD ensures that our shared groundwater resources remain sustainable for generations to come. We believe that strong communities start with informed citizens, and we’re committed to keeping you connected to the health of the Nueces Basin through education, outreach, and responsible conservation practices.
Faces of the A.C.E.S: Partners in Purpose
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Amigo
Amigo the Alligator Gar stands for Aquifer, reminding us that clean water supports life both above and below the surface.
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Chris
Chris the Bobcat represents Community, symbolizing the strength and unity of the people who call Nueces County home.
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Esperanza
Esperanza the Egret embodies Environment, bringing hope for a cleaner, healthier future.
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South Texas Water Well Willie
South Texas Water Well Willie represents Sustainability, guarding the groundwater that sustains our families, farms, and communities.
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Nueces Ned
Nueces Ned joins the A.C.E.S as a trusted voice, steady, and experienced figure. He reminds us that sustainability means thinking ahead and caring for our water resources today to secure our future.
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Harry
Harry the Texas Horned Lizard, a symbol of Texas heritage and resilience, reminds us that protecting our groundwater and rivers is about protecting our home and way of life.
The A.C.E.S. Mission: Protecting the Water That Protects Us
The A.C.E.S. of Nueces County represent the heart of what the Nueces Groundwater Conservation District stands for: Aquifer, Community, Environment, and Sustainability. They unite science, stewardship, and community values to inspire local involvement in conservation. Through their stories, they help residents of all ages understand how everyday actions contribute to protecting our groundwater and surface water for generations to come.
Their shared message is simple but powerful: “Protect our aquifer. Strengthen our community. Defend our environment. Live with sustainability. Because clean water is the best water — for all of Nueces County.”