What makes you qualified for this office?  Name three main reasons you believe you’re the best candidate for this position?

There are three main facets to serving on the LSGCD Board. 1) Technical-I have a degree in Geology and have been working in Hydrogeology my entire career. I completely understand all the technical details 2) Business-I have worked for large companies and owed a small business. I understand the value of free markets, building consensus and making sound business decisions. 3) Legal- I have been involved with many legal disputes in evaluating technical data, giving depositions and as a trial expert witness on groundwater issues.

Who has ownership of the land below and the air above and how far of each?  Is groundwater considered a person’s private property under the Texas Constitution?

Texas uses the “rule of capture”. In other words, if you pump it, you own it.

Are you familiar with the enabling legislation and any subsequent legislation regarding the LSGCD creation, powers, authorities, duties, etc.?

The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) was created by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, with the purpose of preserving, conserving, and protecting Montgomery County’s groundwater supplies. During 2017 the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature, House Bill 1982 was authored to amend Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District’s en­abling legislation. The amendment changed the existing enabling legislation from an appointed nine-person board of directors to a seven member elected board.

LSGWCD encourages the best practicable conservation and development practices for the groundwater resources of Montgomery County by developing, promoting, and implementing water conservation, augmentation, and management strategies to both conserve and utilize groundwater resources for the benefit of the citizens, economy, and environment. LSGWCD honors private property rights by affording an opportunity for a fair share to every owner of each common, subsurface reservoir underlying, in whole or in part, in Montgomery County. LSGWCD protects both public and private interests through programs designed for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of groundwater, and by adopting and enforcing rules as authorized by state law.

Is this position currently fulfilling its obligations?

Overall the LSGWCD is fulfilling it’s obligations but we do need to collects additional data. However, being good stewards of the money we have we must be very frugal and collecting the needed data from drilling is very expensive.

What aquifer or aquifers does LSGCD regulate?

The Gulf Coast Aquifer system, comprised of the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper Aquifers

What impact does the LSGCD have on our water bills?

LSGWCD is fee based on the water pumped.

In your opinion, does Does Montgomery County have a water resource or regulation problem?  Why?

We have a regulation problem which stems back to the original board of LSGCD not being elected, along with a lack of transparency on issuing public debt

What are the 3 largest challenges currently facing this position/office and your road map to address them?

Being overwhelmed by other entities trying to force LSGWCD to reduce groundwater usage

What special interest groups have you belonged to or attended meetings of? Include business, social, civic, educational, environmental or any other cause for which you have advocated or supported with time or money.

Montgomery County Tea Party PAC

Please explain why an aquifer should be regulated based on its physical boundaries, or based on the boundaries of political subdivisions of the state.

The Gulf Coast Aquifer system stretches from Mexico to the pan-handle of Florida, it knows no political boundaries. LSGWCD represents constituents in only Montgomery County for their use on the Gulf Coast Aquifer system.

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

Not aware of any official endorsements yet.

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

~Not Answered Yet~

Will you vote to limit budget increases to a factor based on population growth and inflation? Explain.

Yes LSGWCD is funded by pumping fees which are directly related to growth.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

None

Do you support the new board engaging an independent third party to conduct an audit of LSGCD operations and make the findings public?

Yes.

Should two local government entities force residents to pay billions of dollars for infrastructure development without a vote?

Absolutely not

List anyone you have lobbied for or represented at any governmental agency during the past five years?

None

What actions should the LSGCD take to implement change that would result in lower water rates for consumers?

Continue to be an advocate for the citizens of Montgomery County by questioning “science” driven by special interest groups.

In 2009, the LSGCD mandated a 30% reduction on water withdrawal from underground aquifers.  On what scientific data was that decision based on?

It was based on “sustainable yield”

What political party do you affiliate with? Do you believe in that party platform (all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with)?

Republican and I agree to the party platform

Please explain why you will vote to award any contract with less than three qualified bidders?

All sub-contracted work will be submitted to at least three competent contractors for a bid price

When and how was the LSGD created?  What are the duties? Where is their authority derived?

The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) was created by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, with the purpose of preserving, conserving, and protecting Montgomery County’s groundwater supplies. During 2017 the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature, House Bill 1982 was authored to amend Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District’s en­abling legislation. The amendment changed the existing enabling legislation from an appointed nine-person board of directors to a seven member elected board.

LSGWCD encourages the best practicable conservation and development practices for the groundwater resources of Montgomery County by developing, promoting, and implementing water conservation, augmentation, and management strategies to both conserve and utilize groundwater resources for the benefit of the citizens, economy, and environment. LSGWCD honors private property rights by affording an opportunity for a fair share to every owner of each common, subsurface reservoir underlying, in whole or in part, in Montgomery County. LSGWCD protects both public and private interests through programs designed for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of groundwater, and by adopting and enforcing rules as authorized by state law.