Recent News

Press Release:


The long saga involving the proposed Altair Disposal Services LLC ("Altair") hazardous waste landfill application is finally at an end. Colorado County's lawyers recently received the attached copy of Altair's Notice of  Non-Suit that Altair filed with the Travis County District Court on January 14, 2021. The non-suit is with prejudice, which means Altair cannot refile the actions.  Altair's non-suit effectively ends Altair's effort to relocate its commercial hazardous waste landfill from Deer Park, Texas (East of Houston) to the property on which the company's longstanding municipal waste landfill is located, south of Columbus on State Highway 71.

As background, Altair filed its initial hazardous waste permit application in 2013, and the TCEQ issued its preliminary decision to issue the permit in 2016. Colorado County, Colorado County Conservation District, the Association for a Clean Environment (ACE) led a county-wide coalition to oppose the proposed landfill.  The LCRA, Rice Consolidated Independent School District, and Darmor Investments also opposed the permit.  That opposition resulted in a December 2018 nine-day contested case hearing, which is basically an administrative trial, before SOAH (the state office of administrative hearings).  The two administrative law judges (ALJs) issued a 189 page proposal for decision in May 2019, recommending the permit application be denied.  Their recommendation was based on multiple grounds, including the fact that the geology underlying the proposed landfill was unsuitable for the disposal of hazardous waste.

The TCEQ later followed the ALJs' recommendation and denied the proposed permit in September 2019.   Altair then appealed the TCEQ's decision by filing a lawsuit in the Travis County District Court in December 2019.  Colorado County intervened in the lawsuit on the TCEQ side.  Due to COVID and other issues, that lawsuit was quiet for some time until Altair filed the referenced notice of non-suit, which effectively ends Altair application.  To help protect the residents of Colorado County should some company attempt a similar project in the future, the Colorado County Commissioners passed an ordinance in June 2019 that requires any new applicant to seek a variance from the County before proceeding.
Special thanks and appreciation also to Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Campbell, Senator Huffman and Representative Leman for all their time and effort in this long battle to protect our precious resources: underground  water, our aquifer, the Colorado River and the environment in Colorado County.

Ty Prause
Colorado County Judge
(979) 732-2604

CCGCD Adopts 2024 Budget & Tax Rate for Tax Year 2023

On Septmeber 20, 2023, the CCGCD Board of Directors adopted the 2024 Budget in the amount of $249,880. The Board also adopted a tax rate of $.00750 per $100 valuation for Tax Year 2023. The...

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Budget & Tax Rate Notice

CCGCD will hold a public hearing on the District's proposed budget for FY 2024. The hearing will be held September 20, 2023 at 7 p.m. at 910 Milam Street in Columbus. The total amount of the...

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Budget & Tax Rate Notice

CCGCD will hold a public hearing on the District's proposed budget for FY 2023. The hearing will be held September 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at 910 Milam Street in Columbus. The total amount of the...

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Candidate Filing

Application packets for a place on the election ballot as a candidate may be obtained from the District office located at 910 Milam Street in Columbus, Monday through Friday, between the hours of...

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CCGCD Adopts 2022 Budget & Tax Rate for Tax Year 2021

On Septmeber 16, 2021, the CCGCD Board of Directors adopted the 2022 budget in the amount of $243,300. The Board also adopted a tax rate of $.00875 per $100 valuation for tax year 2021. The...

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Budget & Tax Rate Notice

CCGCD will hold a public hearing on the District's proposed budget for FY 2022. The public hearing will be held September 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the District office located at 910 Milam Street...

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Notice of Hearing on Proposed Desired Conditions Adopted by Groundwater Management Area 15

CCGCD will hold a public hearing on  August 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the District office located at 910 Milam Street, Columbus, TX to discuss and receive public comments on the proposed desired...

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Proposed Desired Future Conditions Set For GMA 15 Districts

At the most recent meeting in Victoria, representatives of Groundwater Management Area at (GMA 15) put forward desired future conditions (DFCs) proposed for adoption on April 8, 2021.  The...

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CCGCD Approves Resolution to Show Appreciation to Judge & Commissioners

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On February 10, 2021, the CCGCD Board approved Resolution 2021: A RESOLUTION TO SHOW APPRECATION TO COLORADO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN COMBATING THE ALTAIR DISPOSAL...

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Press Release from Judge Prause - Altair Disposal Services LLC Application

Press Release:

The long saga involving the proposed Altair Disposal Services LLC ("Altair") hazardous waste landfill application is finally at an end.  Colorado County's lawyers recently received...

Read More

Budget & Tax Rate Hearings Scheduled for Sept. 17, 2020

CCCGD will hold a public hearing on the District’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. The total amount of the proposed budget is $234,590. A copy of the proposed budget is posted on the...

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Candidate Filing

Application packets for a place on the election ballot as a candidate may be obtained from the District office located at 910 Milam Street in Columbus, Monday through Friday, between the hours of...

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Vacant Board Position Filled

The Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District is pleased to announce that at its June 18th meeting, the Board appointed Ann Pavliska to fill the vacant position for Director Place 5,...

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Well Plugging Assistance

Abandoned wells are a danger to humans, animals, and the aquifer. We may contribute up to 50% of the cost of a closure, not to exceed $300. In order to participate, you must use a company or...

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