Water board approves Vanderpool permits
at reduced rate
Editor’s Note: A Jan. 15 article regarding a BCRAGD meeting incorrectly stated Vanderpool Management LP was requesting permits on behalf of Camp OTX, when in fact the two are separate entities and Vanderpool was not acting on Camp OTX’s behalf. The Bulletin apologizes for the error.
The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) met in a special session and public hearing to vote on two well permits requested by Vanderpool Management, LP. Despite significant public opposition, the board approved the permits at a substantially reduced water allocation.
More than 50 people attended the meeting, where 15 members of the public spoke before the board entered an executive session.
After deliberation, the board returned and voted unanimously to grant the permits, allowing 28 acre-feet of water per year for the house well and 28 acre-feet per year for the barn well—totaling 56 acre-feet for the 628-acre property in western Bandera County.
Vanderpool Management, LP had originally requested 130 acre-feet per year for the house well and 70 acre-feet per year for the barn well, a total of 200 acre-feet.
Many attendees expressed concerns over potential impacts on neighboring wells and the property’s intended use. Jeff Braun, a local business owner and director of the Bandera Canyonlands Alliance, urged the board to reject the permits.
“There was testimony in Austin showing that this enormous drawdown of water would negatively affect a neighboring well,” Braun said. “Granting this permit for 200 acre-feet per year will almost certainly impact the neighboring property owners.”
Ann Schneider, a ranch owner in Vanderpool, argued that the property appeared to be used for commercial purposes rather than the domestic and agricultural uses described in the permits.
She also questioned the accuracy of Vanderpool Management’s water availability study, stating it “did not use the best available science” and that proposed irrigation would lead to erosion and waste. “Bottom line, there is very little flat land to irrigate on this property to warrant 200 acre-feet per year,” Schneider said.
Fred Berner, a resident near Mill Creek, voiced concerns that large-scale pumping could affect his well.
Attorney Vic McWherter, representing the Bandera Canyonlands Alliance, emphasized the legal requirement for permit applicants to prove their water use would not unreasonably affect local groundwater resources.
Kristin Oestreich, a Sabinal River property owner, submitted site plans indicating significant development on the property, including a dining hall and a clubhouse.
She suggested these structures implied a confidence in securing water production approval.
Resident Linda Jones described her personal experience with water shortages, explaining that her well ran dry last fall.
“We ended up, thankfully, lowering our pump by 60 feet. However, we have been told that our well, which is 540 feet, cannot be lowered again,” she said. Jones questioned what the community was doing to encourage rainwater collection for large properties.
The board returned from its executive session at 11 a.m. and promptly voted to approve the reduced permit allocations.
The meeting also included discussion on a moratorium related to enforcement of Chapter 36, Rule 3.1(e) of the BCRAGD rules, which restricts well permits in the Edwards Formation.
General Manager Dave Mauk recommended further legal review, noting the rule applies to exempt livestock wells as well. The board voted unanimously to approve a resolution for further examination.
The meeting adjourned shortly after noon.
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