On July 7, 2026, the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District participated as panelists at a public information session hosted by Atascosa County to help address the public’s questions and concerns regarding the impact of potential development within the region. Atascosa County Directors Wes Shahan and Amanda Wheeler as well as General Manager Dr. Aarin Teague represented the Evergreen and answered questions from the public.
“These meetings are important so that people can understand what our roles are; what the county can and cannot do legally, and likewise, what Evergreen can and cannot do according to our mandate,” Shahan said. “It increases our transparency and improves our communication with the public.”
Throughout the information session, questions and concerns were raised regarding water resources in Atascosa County. The Evergreen took the opportunity to address these questions and provide the public with background information on how the District manages the local groundwater.
“As a board, we want people to understand the science, the rules, and the “why” behind every action we take,” Wheeler said. “We routinely meet as a Board and participate in regional and local meetings. Our goal for every meeting is to build trust, strengthen transparency, and ensure that the community is part of the process—not just affected by it.”
Throughout the information session, the public asked questions about local groundwater. Dr. Teague answered several questions about the permitting process and how the district manages groundwater. Additional questions were submitted online regarding the District’s management goals for future aquifer levels.
“Our job as a board is to balance the protection of the long‑term health of Atascosa County’s groundwater with the private ownership of groundwater. We do that by carefully reviewing drilling and production permits, monitoring aquifer levels, enforcing district rules, and relying on scientific data and groundwater modeling,” Wheeler said. “Every permit we approve, every rule we adopt, and every drought update we issue is done with one goal in mind: safeguarding the aquifers that our residents, farmers, and future generations depend on.”
The Evergreen UWCD greatly appreciates all comments and questions that were posed at the meeting on Tuesday night. We look forward to more community interaction and value all the input we can get from the community.
“Atascosa residents should not be afraid to ask EUWCD questions about any water-related issues they may have, whether it’s a private well, commercial use, or a municipal water supply,” Shahan said. “The more people know, the more they can make informed decisions on their future.”
Be on the lookout for news and information regarding more upcoming public information meetings.
