ASR Springflow Protection Program - Edwards Aquifer Authority

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.

Historical Comparison VISPO vs ASR Forbearance (PDF)

Comparison of ASR and VISPO

ASR Program

Pricing

Pricing

Flat fee of $100 per acre-foot per year in both standby years and forbearance years

Program Trigger

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

Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years

Yes

Length of Agreement

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

Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll

Yes – Open to all permit holders

Frequency of Program Trigger

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

Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored

Yes

Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time

Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time

Yes, but not the same water enrolled in VISPO

VISPO

Pricing

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

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

Can Use Water As Normal Outside of Forbearance Years

Yes

Length of Agreement

Length of Agreement

5 years

Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll

Restricted & Unrestricted Water Available to Enroll

Yes – For irrigation permits only

Frequency of Program Trigger

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

Existing Leases & Agreements Will be Honored

Yes

Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time

Can Participate in ASR & VISPO at the Same Time

Yes, but not the same water enrolled in ASR

The EAA Board Meeting will take place on April 9, 2024 at 1pm.
Please click here for more information.