As a non-profit public water system, we are highly concerned about the scope of withdrawal proposed in recent groundwater permit applications submitted to the Neches & Trinity Valleys GCD. We encourage members, neighbors and private well owners in the area to familiarize themselves with these proceedings. This page was created to help address related concerns and may change as additional information becomes available.
Recent Updates
09/03/2025: The House refused to confer on the amended version of HB 27. That is to say that the bill died. Rep. Harris gave a strong speech indicating that the House was united in their position that the moratorium was a critical aspect of the bill. He thanked Governor Abbott and House colleagues for their leadership in recognizing the urgency of the issue and taking it up during a special session. Harris called out the Senate for failing to demonstrate such leadership, and called on the Neches and Trinity Valley GCD to deny the permits while other bodies, such as the Trinity River Authority, study the wellfield impacts.
09/02/2025: The Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding heard HB 27, introduced by Senator Robert Nichols. The broadcast video of this committee hearing is here. After little pushback from committee members, Nichols agreed to remove the moratorium aspect of the bill. Subsequently, an amendment to HB 27 was introduced and signed by Senator Nichols and Senator Perry, removing the moritorium on production and transfer permits while the study of the Neches and Trinity Valleys GCD aquifer is underway. This effectively gutted HB 27, which was intended to shift decision-making of large scale export permits to an objective, data-driven process. The full Senate overwhelmingly supported the ammended version of the bill, a stark contrast to the House's support of the moratorium-based version. The video of that senate session is available here, with HB 27 introduction beginning around 1:31:30.
08/29/2025: The Trinity River Authority (TRA) Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the organization's General Manager Kevin Ward to take all actions necessary to intervene in the SOAH proceedings regarding the applications for groundwater permits for Pine Bliss, LLC, and Redtown Ranch Holdings, LLC. See the Palestine Herald's coverage here. Mr. Ward's recent testimony highlighted the potential risks this project poses to surface water and surface water rights for downstream users. Their announcement on 08/28 indicates that TRA has initiated a comprehensive study to understand effects of groundwater pumping. This includes the threats, impacts, and effects on the Trinity River; decreased surface water; decreased river flows; spring flows; effects on surface vegetation such as trees and grasses; as well as subsidence and current and future water supply issues. Consolidated WSC, with wells in close proximity to both Redtown Ranch and the Trinity River, has offered the use of their wells for this very important research.
08/27/2025: HB 27 made it out of committee with unanimous support on 08/21 then passed in the full House with 126 Yeas and 4 Nays. This overwhelming demonstration of bipartisan, statewide support in the House indicated the legislature was ready to take on the nuanced issue of sustainable groundwater management in light of statewide water options as the new investment frontier. However, the public hearing in the Senate, scheduled for 8:00 am on 08/27/2025, was abruptly canceled.
Some Senators are hearing from voices who want water treated like a commodity, with prices - and profits - driven higher by scarcity and drought. Even the Redtown Ranch applicant has admitted that groundwater data in this region is limited. HB 27 takes a smart approach to this challenge by authorizing a state-led investigation into local aquifers and requiring careful, data-based planning before large-scale water exports advance. Limited data is a reason to slow down and protect water supplies, not accelerate withdrawals for profit.
East Texas Senators are already solidly behind this bill. Now we need West and Central Texas Senators to hear loud and clear that Texans expect sustainable aquifer management, not short-term profiteering.
See the list of Senators here and respectfully request their support of HB 27.
What to Say When You Call
- "I support HB 27 because it puts science and aquifer health ahead of short-term profiteering and the commoditization of drought."
- "Texas needs lasting water security for rural comminities, large cities and future generations - not quick fixes that drain our aquifers dry."
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“The House passed HB 27 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Senate should follow their lead and put Texas' water security first."
08/20/2025: The House Natural Resource Committee posted notice of public hearings related to this issue, available here. UPDATE: Governor Abbott announced his addition of this very important issue to the second special session. His addition ensures appropriate studies are conducted to protect the health of East Texas Aquifers. We are encouraged by Governor Abbott and our legislators' sincere concern and efforts to protect this vital resource.
08/18/2025: Governor Abbott does not appear to have included this time-sensitive groundwater issue on the agenda for the special legislative session. This inaction effectively allows large-scale, for-profit well field projects to advance forward at least until the next regular session.
This inaction follows an 11-hour House Natural Resources hearing during the legislative recess, underscoring the urgency and public concern surrounding the issue. It also aligns with Governor Abbott's recent veto of HB 1690, a bipartisan bill authored by Rep. Gerdes. This bill would have required groundwater transfer applicants to provide notice to neighboring groundwater conservation districts and nearby commissioners courts of their intent to export groundwater out of an area. HB 1690 passed unanimously in both the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, yet was vetoed by Governor Abbott just two months ago.
Governor Abbott's recent veto of HB 1690 and inaction on this pressing matter, raise serious concerns about whether the voices and needs of everyday Texans are being heard.
What You Can Do
If you believe this issue deserves urgent attention, contact Governor Abbott’s office and respectfully request that he:
- Add this groundwater issue to the current special session agenda, or
- Call a new special session to address it.
Call the Governor’s Office
- Texas callers: (800) 843-5789
- Austin/Out-of-state: (512) 463- 1782
- Main switchboard: (512) 463-2000
Submit Your Opinion Online: gov.texas.gov/contact
Suggested Message: “Governor Abbott, I urge you to prioritize the protection of Texas groundwater by adding this issue to the special session agenda or calling a new session. The recent veto of HB 1690 and the lack of action on this matter are deeply concerning to many Texans.”
08/14/2025: The Messenger published additional coverage of the House Natural Resource Committee Public Hearing held July 15, 2025, available here and here.
08/13/2025: Rep. Cody Harris filed HB 304 relating to the regulation of groundwater produced in the boundaries of a groundwater conservation district. While all referenced bills are still under assessment by Consolidated WSC legal staff, it's worth noting that the issue of groundwater has NOT yet been placed on a special session agenda, an action which can only be taken by Gov. Greg Abbott.
08/07/2025: Rep. Trent Ashby filed HB 290 relating to the volume of groundwater production authorized through the issuance of permits by a groundwater conservation district.
08/05/2025: At the recommendation of the Houston County GCD Steering Committee, the Houston County Commissioner's Court adopted resolution 202508 in support of the Texas Legislature pursuing legislation that creates a groundwater conservation district with a geographical boundary that includes all of Houston County.
07/28/2025: Rep. Cody Harris filed HB 215, HB 216, HB 217 and HB 218 relating to groundwater withdrawal liability, groundwater conservation district liabilities and goundwater conservation district permitting processes.
07/16/2025: Plaintiffs, including Consolidated Water Supply Corporation, filed a petition for declaratory judgement, writ of mandamus, and application for temporary and permanent injuctive relief, available here, relating to the permit applications.
07/15/2025: The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing to examine the Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss groundwater permit applications and their anticipated impacts. The agenda included invited testimony on a range of topics, including Groundwater 101, regional hydrogeology, input from affected agencies, and remarks from elected officials representing Anderson, Henderson, Houston, and Cherokee Counties, as well as the City of Chandler. Stakeholders, permit applicants, and policy experts also provided testimony on community impacts and potential legislative solutions.
Several non-committee legislators, including Senator Nichols and Senator Perry, attended and actively engaged in the discussion. Chairman Harris concluded the hearing with a strong call for state-level reform to close legal loopholes that currently allow large-scale groundwater projects to infringe upon private property rights. The hearing adjourned at 11:46 pm, and may be viewed in its entirety at https://www.house.texas.gov/videos/22370.
07/08/2025: Consolidated WSC, at their regular board meeting, discussed updates regarding the applications for the high-capacity groundwater wells and the related upcoming public hearing at the Texas Capitol. The meeting was attended by State Rep. Trent Ashby, Jake Ellis from Senator Nichols' office and state representative candidate Paulette Carson. Rep. Ashby gave the Consolidated WSC board and management a preview of what to expect at the public hearing. He discussed a recent stakeholder call earlier that day, how to submit public testimony in writing and who was expected to attend. Rep. Ashby took questions from board members regarding options to safeguerd the groundwater in Houston County, and Ashby offered his assistance authoring legislation to help Houston County protect their groundwater. Mr. Jim Totten from Lost Pines GCD also attended the meeting and shared his perspective regarding the navigation of State Office of Administrative Meeting (SOAH) proceedings for contested permit applications. More information can be found in The Messenger's coverage of this meeting, available here.
06/26/2025: Consolidated WSC was formally invited to provide testimony before the Natural Resource Committee. The hearing is scheduled for July 15th at 1:00 pm at the Capitol. The notice is here. Consolidated received confirmation from the Neches and Trinity Valleys GCD that our protest letter was timely received. District staff indicated that they are still responding to the protests, which may explain why some individuals have not received confirmation of submission.
06/19/2025: The outcome of the Neches and Trinity Valleys GCD meeting was a motion to refer the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings with a request for a minimum 90 days before the first hearing. This was an anticipated outcome. We are relieved to hear their plans to hold the proceedings locally, possibly in Palestine. The district reportedly received over 2,000 protests or requests for a contested case hearing. Their next step is to determine which of the protesters are "affected parties", more to come on that definition. Affected parties will have to prove, with data, lawyers and a high degree of specificity, what injuries they will suffer from these wellfields. Major stakeholders in the area have started interviewing hydrogeologists and other consultants capable of this comprehensive risk assessment. The House Natural Resource Committee is holding a public hearing on July 15th regarding this issue with invited testimony only. That notice is available here.
06/17/2025: Consolidated WSC submitted a formal protest letter to the Neches and Trinity Valleys GCD, found HERE. The meeting and preliminary hearing is still scheduled for Thursday, June 19th at 1:00 pm at the Jacksonville City Hall Council Room, 315 Ragsdale St., Jacksonville, TX. CWSC anticipates a quorum of their Board of Directors, so a CWSC Special Called Meeting agenda was posted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The agenda for that special called meeting is available HERE. *CWSC is requesting a contested hearing in a local venue, such as Tyler or Lufkin, and affected party status. We are not requesting a specific pumping limit at this time, as the applications are grossly incomplete and their deficiencies render impact assessments impossible.*
Resolution Regarding Groundwater_Passed 06032025
Permit Applications Redtown Ranch Holdings LLC
Permit Applications Pine Bliss LLC
Notice of Application Redtown Ranch LLC
Notice of Application Pine Bliss LLC
Order on Applications Redtown Ranch LLC
Order on Applications Pine Bliss LLC
Many of our neighbors and members have asked about wells in the area and what aquifers they utilize. The Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) interactive map of wells is available here:
FAQs
What can I expect from a GCD Preliminary Hearing?
These applications appear to be enthusiastically contested. The preliminary hearing will likely be crowded with representatives from the community and news media. There will be a public comment period, where attendees can speak to items that are or are not on the agenda. These comments will likely be limited to 3 minutes. This part of the process may take hours. The GCD board may vote to approve the applications, schedule a contested hearing, or take some other action. We appreciate our members' and neighbors' participating in this process.
What are the applications that people are concerned about?
There are two sets of applications that have been filed with the Trinity & Neches Valleys Groundwater District (the “District”). Each set seeks authorization to drill multiple water wells into the Carrizo/Wilcox aquifer and produce the water for unspecified purposes. The two sets are divided into the two counties where the wells would be located, as follows:
Anderson County: This set of applications was filed in the name of Redtown Ranch Holdings, LLC for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells that, if permitted and completed, could produce approximately 10.2 billion gallons of water per year from the Carrizo/Wilcox aquifer.
Henderson County: This set of applications was filed in the name of Pine Bliss, LLC for 22 high-capacity groundwater wells that, if permitted and completed, could produce approximately 5.2 billion gallons of water per year from the Carrizo/Wilcox and Queen City aquifers.
Houston County: The applications refer to 11 more groundwater wells to be located within Houston County. These wells are not located within the District, or any other groundwater conservation district, so there are no approvals required to be obtained from any government and production amounts are unknown.
Where will these wells be located?
The Redtown Ranch well field is proposed on an approximately 7,249-acre tract spanning southwestern Anderson County and northwestern Houston County. Of this, an estimated 5,480 acres lie within Anderson County and within the District, with remaining acreage extending into Houston County. The primary access address for the Anderson County portion is 712 Anderson County Road 117, Elkhart, Texas.
The Pine Bliss well field would be situated on an approximately 4,112-acre tract located at 8151 FM 315 South in Larue, Texas, within Henderson County and under the full jurisdiction of the District.
The Houston County wells are proposed within the southern portion of the Redtown Ranch property, lying directly adjacent to and just south of the Anderson-Houston County line on a tract that shares the same contiguous boundary but falls outside the District’s jurisdiction.
What does Carrizo/Wilcox Aquifer mean?
The Carrizo/Wilcox is designated as a major Texas aquifer and generally extends across Texas in an arch sweeping from Cotulla area southwest of San Antonio, then south of San Antonio through Gonzales County, then northerly through Lee County, through our area, and then northerly to an area east of Dallas.
Is the Carrizo/Wilcox Aquifer replenished?
Yes, from rainfall that falls on or across the aquifer’s sandy recharge zone and from water flowing in streams that cross the recharge zone. However, the estimated amount of water that replenishes the aquifer is less than the estimated total amount of water that is produced from wells located within the aquifer.
Does Consolidated Water Supply Corporation have wells located in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer?
Yes. CWSC has 10 wells that produce water from the Carrizo - Wilcox which it supplies to its members. The closest CWSC wells are the Rockhill Well (known as Plant I) and the Beta well. They are approximately six to seven miles away from the wells shown to be located in Houston County and Anderson County. Despite the difference, the requested and stated production from the wells would, more likely than not, reduce the pressure within the aquifer and result in a lowering of the water level in the aquifer at the location of CWSC’s wells. Public water systems in Anderson and Henderson County also have wells that produce water from the Carrizo – Wilcox for their customers, as well as industrial and commercial users and farmers who use water from the aquifer for irrigation.
Does the Neches & Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District have a website with more information on these applications?
Yes, their website is www.ntvgcd.org. This website has a copy of the applications, the district’s rules, their management plan, notices of meetings by the district’s board of directors, and notices of hearings relating to these and other applications for permits.
What has previously occurred relating to applications?
CWSC was not notified by the applicant nor the District about the applications or the deadline to file contests. This information was provided to CWSC management by Houston county officials. CWSC has since learned that the applications were filed last year, but the District only recently decided that the applications were “administratively complete” and provided the only required notice in the Palestine Herald in late May. Fortunately, someone saw this notice and informed CWSC.
What actions can people take to be heard regarding these applications?
You may file a contest to the applications with the District describing how the wells may adversely impact you. You may do so by emailing a protest to manager@ntvgcd.org or submitting it by mail to
You may choose to attend District board meetings to voice your concerns during public comment.
When would other well owners see impacts form the applicants’ project?
Persons owning wells producing water from the Carrizo - Wilcox Aquifer could start seeing impact on their wells once production starts from the applicants’ project. Since there is no groundwater district within Houston County, the applicants could start, or may have already started drilling wells in Houston County. The anticipated drilling date in the application is September 2025 for wells in Anderson and Henderson Counties. CWSC understands that a three-phase electric line has been installed to power well pumps and other infrastructure.
Is there any local benefit for this project?
Since the applicants have not disclosed how they intend to use the water, CWSC cannot identify any benefits at this time. The improvements may, or may not, be subject to property taxes assessed by local governments.
Do the applicants’ have pipeline easements to supply the water outside of the tracts where the well is located?
CWSC is not aware of any recorded easements at this time, but a search has not been conducted.
What is the current population in this area?
In 2024, the US Census Bureau estimates that the current population of Houston County is 22,197; Anderson County is 59,512; and Henderson County is 87,467.
