“Your mission should you choose to accept it….”

In the beginning, there was no human population in Kinney County. There were no neighbors. Then, 8000 years ago or so, hunting and gathering people moved in (Brune, 1981). As time passed, the human population grew. Surface water met the early needs of the residents. Then, surface water no longer met the people’s needs. Wells entered the landscape. No rules was the rule of the land. Anyone with a well could pump as much as they wanted. This came to be called the rule of capture. As time passed, the population grew. Then, the rule of capture no longer met the people’s needs. Groundwater Conservation Districts entered the equation and today they are tasked with a critical mission. Their mission, it’s been said, is to prevent bad neighbors. Their mission, it’s been said, is to promote good neighbors by regulating the water resource for the common good while balancing private rights. Charles R. Porter calls it “Sharing the Common Pool” in his book of the same title. Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code states in Section 36.0015. Purpose., “Groundwater conservation districts created as provided by this chapter are the state’s preferred method of groundwater management in order to protect property rights, balance the conservation and development of groundwater to meet the needs of this state, and use the best available science in the conservation of groundwater through rules developed, adopted, and promulgated by a district in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.”

This is our mission should we choose to accept it. I accept it. Mission Possible!!!