via jfleck, we get this article:
A state court this week threw out New Mexicans' longstanding legal right to drill a domestic water well without having to worry about whether it would leave less water for their neighbors.This is big news, if only because closing the loophole (small domestic wells) is a sign of tightening water supplies. (Texas, which has no limits on pumping from common aquifers, appears to have a direct link to God's Well.)
The ruling is a victory for activists who say that uncontrolled domestic well drilling poses a long-term threat to New Mexico's ability to manage its dwindling water supplies.
BTW, for a great presentation on the interaction of surface and groundwater, take a look at this PDF.
Bottom Line: Groundwater rights are terribly important. Look for stronger property rights rulings and more adjudication in the future.
3 comments:
David: I could not link to the pdf.
Thanks, Don
link fixed.
This was a huge concern for us here in the Houston area.
Texas has been relatively progressive in the area of water conservation - hence, one of the early progressive government policies involved "The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District"
It is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975.
The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal throughout Harris and Galveston counties for the purpose of preventing land subsidence, which leads to increased flooding.
Houston was sinking at inches per year due to uncontrolled groundwater drilling. So, anyone wanting to drill must go thru these guys.
Which is good for everybody - good government policy at work.
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