Update: Public Comment Period on Proposed Desired Future Condition (DFC) for GMA 7 Closes August 2 at 5pm

Residents have until Monday, Aug. 2 at 5pm to submit comments regarding a proposed update to the Desired Future Condition (DFC) for the Kinney County portion of Groundwater Management Area 7 (GMA 7). The proposal under consideration would establish a desired future condition stating that the daily mean discharge at Las Moras Springs should not fall below 15 cubic feet per second (cfs), averaged over a five-year period.

According to information circulated by supporters of the proposal, the historical average flow of Las Moras Springs is approximately 21 cfs, and they describe the proposed 15 cfs target as a compromise intended to help protect the spring while allowing groundwater use. Supporters have also been encouraging residents to submit letters expressing their views before the July 31 deadline. The public notice which ran in the Kinney County Post on June 4, 2026 states that the District will accept comments until 5pm on Monday, August 2. 

Comments may be emailed to the Kinney County Groundwater Conservation District at  kinneyh2o@att.net or 

Residents who support or oppose the proposal, or who wish to provide additional information for consideration, may submit their comments directly to KCGCD before the deadline. The next regular board meeting for the KCGCD is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 at 6pm. The agenda is expected to be posted online at KinneyCountyGCD.org.

What is a Desired Future Condition? A Desired Future Condition (DFC) is a planning goal established by Groundwater Management Areas under Texas law. Groundwater conservation districts use these goals when developing management plans and permitting decisions intended to achieve the adopted conditions over time.

*The contact for comments is a correction from an article published on July 23 which incorrectly stated that comments should be submitted to GMA 7 Coordinator, Meredith Allen. Comments should be sent directly to KCGCD at kinneyh2o@att.net 

The Public Notice says the following: 
KINNEY COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS OF DISTRICT
AQUIFERS LOCATED WITHIN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA 7
Notice is hereby given that a 90-day public comment period opened on May 1, 2026 to take comments on proposed Desired Future Conditions for aquifers located in the District, which were adopted by designated representatives of Groundwater Management Area 7 districts at a joint planning meeting held on April 23, 2026 pursuant to Section 36.108 (d-2) of the Texas Water Code.

The aquifers for which proposed Desired Future Conditions were adopted are: Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)
The District will issue separate notice for and hold a Public Hearing to take oral and written comments on these proposed Desired Future Conditions on June 16, 2026

The District will accept written comments on the proposed Desired Future Conditions at any time until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2026. Comments should be emailed or mailed to: 
kinneyh2o@att.net
Kinney County GCD 
P.O. Box 369 
Brackettville, Texas 78832

Copies of the proposed Desired Future Conditions and supporting materials, including explanatory reports, technical memoranda and groundwater availability model runs, are available at the District office. For additional information, questions and comments please contact the district office. (830) 563-9699.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS OF RELEVANT AQUIFERS WITHIN KINNEY COUNTY UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA 7
June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
503 South Ann Street 
Brackettville, Texas 78832

In accordance with Texas Water Code § 36.108, the Kinney County Groundwater Water Conservation District (District) will receive public input at a hearing on the proposed desired future conditions (DFCs) of groundwater resources located within Kinney County and surrounding areas located within Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 7. The district's proposed DFCs for the next 50-year regional planning cycle are: 
Edwards-Trinity (Plateau): daily mean spring discharge measured at Las Moras Springs shall not be less than 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) when averaged over 5 years, continuous through 2080

Pursuant to Texas Water Code § 36.108(d-2), a 90-day public comment period began on May 1, 2026 which is the date the proposed DFCs were mailed to the GMA 7 districts. Comments may be submitted orally or in writing during the district's hearing or in writing to the district's office, Attention General Manager, 503 South Ann, Brackettville, Texas, 78832. After this hearing and comment period, the district will compile for consideration at the next joint planning meeting of the GMA 7 districts a summary of relevant comments received, any suggested revisions to the proposed DFCs, and the basis for any revisions.

A copy of the proposed DFCs and supporting documents are available for review at the district's office. Please contact the District's General Manager at (830) 563-9699 for more information or to make arrangements to review the proposed DFCs and supporting documents.