This extended drought creates so much anxiety. Will we get enough surface water to flood up the managed marsh complexes? If we don’t, can we use the Conservancy’s groundwater wells to generate enough water to do the job? Will the new State groundwater legislation restrict the Conservancy’s use of its wells?
If we allow tenants to flood up rice fields with Conservancy groundwater wells (for Giant Gartersnake benefits, as required in the NBHCP), how do we apportion the costs between them and the Conservancy? Can the Conservancy participate in groundwater exchange programs? Whatever the question, it seems the first step towards an answer lies in the fact that the groundwater well’s output needs to be measured.
The Conservancy’s Board of Directors recently authorized funds to install flowage meters on seven of the Conservancy’s wells. That should help us be ready for just about any matter, whether it be opportunity or damage control. This is a good move.
