ANRA Angelina & Neches River Authority : 01/11/2017 - ANRA Applies for a Term Water Use Permit - Details here

January 11, 2017

In 2011 the Angelina & Neches River Authority (ANRA) applied for a term water use permit for use by the oil and gas industry. The permit would be active for a period of ten years and would allow for the diversion and use of up to 10,000 acre-feet of surface water per year from tributaries upstream of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The water would be used for mining purposes, with the option for future off-channel storage for subsequent diversions.

The River Authority has taken this action to provide for the orderly use of surface water for the oil and gas industry within the affected watershed. In the past, the process for oil and gas companies to acquire water for their needs has been difficult and not well documented. ANRA proposes to improve this situation by providing a well-documented, transparent, and controlled method by which oil and gas companies can obtain water for their needs within the affected counties. The River Authority's intent is to minimize adverse impacts to the local residents and businesses as well as the local environment.

This permit will be 'junior' in time and use to any other permit issued to date in the Neches River Basin. This means that if there is not enough water to satisfy the needs of 'senior' (previously issued) water rights holders, then diversions under this permit would be halted.

This permit also contains environmental flow provisions that automatically halt diversions if in-stream flows fall below specified levels.

Click here to read the Notice of Application for Water Use Permit

Click here for a General reference map of the water right area