ASR Springflow Protection Program
The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) is now offering permit holders the opportunity to enroll in the new ASR Springflow Protection Program.
This water conservation program is designed to protect springflow for federally listed threatened and endangered species during times of severe, long-term droughts by financially compensating municipal, industrial, and irrigation permit holders who enroll all or part of their base irrigation or unrestricted groundwater rights for the benefit of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP).
Unlike the ASR leasing program, the new ASR program is a forbearance program, meaning the water enrolled in the program will be neither leased nor pumped and stored into the SAWS Twin Oaks ASR Project as in previous years. In fact, the water you enroll is yours to use, lease, or conserve when the 10-year annual recharge average is above 500,000 acre-feet. Forbearance is only required the year after a determination has been made that the 10-year annual recharge average has fallen below 500,000 acre-feet. The last time the 10-year average fell below this trigger was from 1946 – 1959 the most severe drought on record and defined as the drought of record (1951-1956).
To ensure that federally listed threatened and endangered species that rely heavily on Comal and San Marcos Springs receive long term springflow protection, the EAA is looking for long term (10-year) commitments by permit holders.
Comparison of ASR and VISPO
ASR Program
Pricing
Flat fee of $100 per acre-foot per year in both standby years and forbearance years
Program Trigger
10-year annual recharge average is at or 500,000 acre-feet. Forbearance occurs in the year following the recharge average determination
Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years
Yes
Length of Agreement
9 years*
* Note that the length of term will decrease incrementally after year 2020, with any future agreements expiring at the end of 2028
Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll
Yes – Open to all permit holders
Frequency of Program Trigger
More frequently during repeat of drought of record (1950s type conditions). Would have triggered every year during the drought of record
Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored
Yes
Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time
Yes, but not the same water enrolled in VISPO
VISPO
Pricing
$54 per acre foot in standby years; $160 per acre foot in forbearance years in addition to the standby rate ($54 per acre-foot) for a total of $214 per acre-foot
Program Trigger
Level of J-17 monitoring well falls below 635 ft. msl on October 1. Forbearance occurs the year following the well reading
Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years
Yes
Length of Agreement
5 years
Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll
Yes – For irrigation permits only
Frequency of Program Trigger
More frequently during short-term drought conditions. VISPO triggered in 2014 with 2015 being a forbearance year
Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored
Yes
Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time
Yes, but not the same water enrolled in ASR