Question:  Once Stage I CPM has been implemented how long will it be in effect?
Answer:  CPM will remain in effect for at least 30 days unless the Authority’s General Manager declares an end to CPM because the aquifer levels are above the designated trigger levels identified in Table I of the CPM rules.  The CPM rules are available online at www.edwardsaquifer.org.

 

 

Question:  Will CPM be declared immediately when the daily aquifer level falls below the designated triggers?
Answer:  No, the designated triggers are based on a ten-day average.  When the 10-day average of aquifer level falls below any of the four designated triggers, the General Manager is authorized to declare Stage I of CPM.

 

 

Question:  What trigger levels should I be monitoring? 
Answer:  There are four monitoring sites that exist, three within the San Antonio Pool and one in the Uvalde Pool.  The three monitoring sites in the San Antonio Pool are the J-17 index well located at Fort Sam Houston, Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs.  The Uvalde Pool monitoring site has been designated as the J-27 index well located in Uvalde.  The daily and ten day average of the index wells and spring flows are available on the Authority’s website at www.edwardsaquifer.org.

 

 

Question:  What pool am I in?
Answer:  The triggers are separated by pool, the San Antonio Pool, and the Uvalde Pool. The San Antonio Pool covers all of Bexar and Medina counties, and portions of Atascosa, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties.  Uvalde County is the only county in the Uvalde Pool and the designated monitoring well is the J-27 index well.

 

Question:  Are the CPM withdrawal reductions based on a quarterly allocation schedule as in year 2006?
Answer:  No, the quarterly allocation schedule requirement no longer exist under the new CPM Rules. Instead, CPM withdrawal reductions will be calculated  according to your annual groundwater withdrawal amount and then reconciled at the end of the year. By December 31, 2008, your withdrawals must be less than your authorized annual withdrawal amount including all CPM withdrawal reductions applied to your annual authorized withdrawal amount.

 

 

Question:  How do I calculate my withdrawal reductions throughout CPM?
Answer:  Withdrawal reductions will be based on the number of days throughout the year that CPM is in effect for each stage.  The formula for calculating your reduction is as follows:   The number of days in a Stage / (divided by) 365 days x the reduction coefficient of the stage (Stage I is 20%).  For example, if Stage I CPM is in effect for half the year then it is calculated as follows:  183/365 x 20% = 10% reduction.  For multiple stages you must apply the same formula for each stage coefficient (I – IV) and add the results of each.  For example, if Stage I CPM is in effect for half the year and Stage II is in effect for half the year then your reduction will be calculated as follows:  183/365 x 20% = 10% and 182/365 x 30% = 15% then add the results of Stage I and Stage II together; 10% + 15% = 25%.  The calculated withdrawal reduction for this example of multiple stages (I and II) is a 25% reduction to your annual authorized withdrawal amount.  To assist you in tracking your daily withdrawal reductions the Authority has created an online CPM Calculator available on the Authority’s website at www.edwardsaquifer.org.

 

 

Question:  Do I need to submit monthly withdrawal reports during CPM?
Answer: It depends.  Irrigation users who submit the proper forms to “finish out a crop” under CPM rules do not need to submit monthly reports.  However, all municipal and industrial users, and those irrigation users that plant an additional crop during or after CPM, are required to submit monthly withdrawal reports.

 

 

 

Question:  If I’m an irrigator, am I exempt from CPM?
Answer:  No, Irrigators are included in Stage I CPM, but are allowed to finish out a crop already planted prior to the implementation of CPM without being affected by reductions.  In order to exercise this right, a Notice of Intent to Finish Out a Crop form must be submitted to the Authority within 30 days after the implementation of CPM.  Irrigators that plant an additional crop while a CPM Stage is in effect will be subject to CPM withdrawal reductions off their remaining authorized groundwater withdrawal amounts.

 

 

Question:  If I’m an irrigator and I decide to plant an additional crop, do I need to notify the Authority?
Answer:  Yes, a Notice of Planting an Additional Crop form must be submitted to the Authority within 15 days after the additional crop has been planted.  The additional crop form must also include your meter reading(s) for your well(s) at the time the additional crop is planted.

 

 

Question:  If I’m an irrigator and I decide to plant an additional crop, how do I calculate my reductions?
Answer:  Irrigators will need to keep accurate records of how much water was used to finish the first crop reported on the Notice of Intent to Finish Out a Crop form.  The remaining amount of water will be subject to CPM reductions.

 

 

Question:  If I’m an irrigator and I plant an additional crop, but I still have not harvested my first crop, what meter reading must I report on the Notice of Planting an Additional Crop form?
Answer:  The Authority is aware of this scenario and asks that irrigators report the meter reading at the time of the final irrigation of the first crop.  If the final irrigation is to occur after the 15th day of planting the additional crop please contact the CPM Team at (210) 477-1883 or (866) 931-3239.

 

 

Question:  When is the deadline to file a groundwater withdrawal right transfer if I am over my pumping limit?
Answer:  If you are filing a transfer to resolve any over-pumping issues you must file the groundwater withdrawal right transfer with the Authority by November 1st of this year. 

 

 

Question:  Can I file a groundwater withdrawal right transfer from the Uvalde Pool to the San Antonio Pool?
Answer:  Inter-pool transfers may be filed with the Authority at any time.  However, only those inter-pool transfers filed prior to November 1st of the preceding year are authorized for withdrawal during critical period stage. 

 

 

Questions:  Where can I find the necessary forms to report my crop irrigation activities?
Answer:  At the time CPM is declared all irrigators will be mailed the necessary forms to report their notice of intent to finish out a crop and notice of planting additional crops.  Forms will also be available on line at www.edwardsaquifer.org or you can call the CPM Team at (210) 477-1883 or (866) 931-3239 to have additional forms mailed or faxed to you.