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Margo Denke Griffin speaks to Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District board members during their April 18, 2025 meeting, expressing her support for the district's decision to approve a 56 acre-feet pumping maximum for Vanderpool Management, LP.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
January 20, 2026
District Court ruling supports groundwater district decision on contested well permit applications
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
District Court Judge M. Patrick McGuire issued a ruling Jan. 16 supporting the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District’s decision to deny a request from Vanderpool Management, LP to increase their water production limit.
In February 2025, BCRAGD declined the Midland-based company’s application to increase its annual pumping limit from 28 acre-feet of water for two wells, to a total of 200 acre-feet per year for both, overturning a recommendation from the State Office of Administrative Hearings that the permit be approved. Instead, the district reaffirmed the originally approved combined maximum of 56 acre-feet. The case moved forward in State District Court, and was heard Dec. 10, 2025.
“The court finds that the modifications made by the district to the administrative law judges’ proposal for decision were proper under Section 36.4165(b)(1)&(3) of the Texas Water Code,” McGuire’s ruling reads, which further states, “The court finds that the district’s order granting applications dated February 27, 2025 is supported by substantial evidence.”
Vanderpool Management, LP has the right to appeal McGuire’s decision.
In February 2025, BCRAGD declined the Midland-based company’s application to increase its annual pumping limit from 28 acre-feet of water for two wells, to a total of 200 acre-feet per year for both, overturning a recommendation from the State Office of Administrative Hearings that the permit be approved. Instead, the district reaffirmed the originally approved combined maximum of 56 acre-feet. The case moved forward in State District Court, and was heard Dec. 10, 2025.
“The court finds that the modifications made by the district to the administrative law judges’ proposal for decision were proper under Section 36.4165(b)(1)&(3) of the Texas Water Code,” McGuire’s ruling reads, which further states, “The court finds that the district’s order granting applications dated February 27, 2025 is supported by substantial evidence.”
Vanderpool Management, LP has the right to appeal McGuire’s decision.