June, 23 2010  Lamb County Residents May Offer Comments About Annexation Into High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1

A public meeting/hearing will be held July 20 at 7 p.m. at the Lamb County Electric Cooperative office, 2415 S. Phelps in Littlefield to give local residents an opportunity to offer comments about the proposed annexation of the remaining portion of Lamb County into the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1.

“Management of underground water has become more political and complex during the past few years, “said Jim Conkwright, High Plains Water District manager. “Lamb County landowners have expressed interest in joining the Water District to assure local control and management of their groundwater resources.”

The High Plains Water District currently serves most of Lamb County. The proposed annexation territory includes the southwestern corner of the county.

Under the provisions of Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, groundwater conservation districts “provide for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of the underground water reservoirs.” Created in 1951, the High Plains Water District was the first groundwater conservation district formed in Texas.

In order to add territory to an underground water conservation district, a petition must be signed by a majority of persons holding title to the land within the proposed annexation area. If more than 50 persons hold title to the land within the proposed annexation area, then a petition with a minimum of 50 signatures is required.

A petition containing 74 signatures was received by the High Plains Water District Board of Directors at their June 15 regular meeting. Using the appropriate appraisal district records, the Water District has confirmed that more than 50 valid landowners signed a petition for the county in which they owned land.

“The Board of Directors appreciates the efforts of local landowners to obtain these signatures,” Conkwright said.

The July 20 public hearing has been ordered by the High Plains Water District Board to determine if annexation of the proposed Lamb County territory would benefit the landowners in the area and the Water District.

A second hearing is scheduled for August 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the A. Wayne Wyatt Board Room at the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 office, 2930 Avenue Q, in Lubbock. At that time, the five-member Board of Directors will take comments for residents of the existing Water District regarding the proposed annexation of the remainder of Lamb County.

The High Plains Water District Board of Directors may order a Nov. 2, 2010 annexation election if it is determined that the annexation is beneficial.

Lamb County residents may obtain additional information about the proposed annexation by contacting Jim Conkwright or Sherry Stephens at (806) 762-0181.

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Web posted at 1:30 p.m., June 23, 2010.