Drought Management Plan:

Drought is a normal, recurrent feature of climate, although many erroneously consider it a rare and random event. Drought is also a temporary aberration, and differs from aridity, which is restricted to low rainfall regions and is a permanent feature of climate (“What is Drought?”, National Drought Mitigation Center). The Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District is in an arid region that also experiences drought. However, even in the midst of a drought, rainfall at crucial times of the growing season may significantly reduce irrigation water demand.

Drought response conservation measures typically used in other regions of Texas (i.e., rationing) are not used in this region due to extreme economic impact potential. In the District, groundwater conservation is stressed at all times. The Board recognizes that irrigated agriculture provides economic stability to the communities within the District. Therefore, the District adopts the position that, in times of precipitation shortage, irrigated agricultural producers will not be limited to any less usage of groundwater than is provided by District rules. The District will treat all groundwater user groups fairly and equally with regard to applying more stringent conservation measures, as deemed necessary and where practical.