Local Landowners Take First Step Toward Establishing the Nueces Groundwater Conservation District
September 2, 2025
A coalition of local landowners has formally submitted a petition to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Austin, marking the first step toward the creation of the proposed Nueces Groundwater Conservation District (GCD).
Groundwater is a vital resource for the people, industries, municipalities, and agricultural operations across Nueces County. The petition represents a shared commitment among local stakeholders to ensure that these resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and with respect for both private property rights and the long-term sustainability of our region’s water supply.
If approved, the Nueces GCD would be established under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, with the purpose of conserving, preserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing the waste of groundwater and its reservoirs. The district would also work to prevent land subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal.
The proposed district aims to provide locally driven management—guided by those who live and work within the region—to safeguard groundwater for future generations. In alignment with state policy declaring that local governance is the preferred method of groundwater management, the Nueces GCD would:
Operate under an elected board of directors
Establish rules consistent with Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code
Develop and maintain a groundwater management plan addressing conservation, efficient use, drought preparedness, natural resource protection, and the interaction between groundwater and surface water
Through this process, landowners seek to create a science-based, locally accountable framework for managing groundwater resources. The district’s mission will focus on preventing waste, ensuring equitable use, and promoting long-term sustainability.
The hand-delivery of this petition represents an important milestone toward giving local stakeholders a direct voice in protecting one of Nueces County’s most essential natural resources.
For more information and ongoing updates, our Facebook page or contact NuecesGCD@outlook.com.
