Ground Water

State Conservation Office acts on Sparta Aquifer in northern parishes

The Commissioner of Conservation issued a draft order today declaring portions of the Sparta Aquifer in north Louisiana to be critical ground water areas. The issuance of the draft order (CGWA-1-04) is the result of an application made by the Sparta Ground Water Conservation District in 2002.

According to Commissioner James Welsh, the draft order names the following critical ground water areas:

• Monroe-West Monroe Critical Ground Water Area (Ouachita Parish)
  • Township 17 North, Range 3 East
  • Township 17 North, Range 4 East
  • Township 18 North, Range 3 East
  • Township 18 North, Range 4 East
• Ruston Critical Ground Water Area (Lincoln Parish)
  • Township 18 North, Range 2 West
  • Township 18 North, Range 3 West
  • Township 18 North, Range 4 West
• Jonesboro-Hodge Critical Ground Water Area (Jackson and Bienville Parishes)
  • Township 14 North, Range 3 West
  • Township 14 North, Range 4 West
  • Township 15 North, Range 3 West
  • Township 15 North, Range 4 West

After many months of evaluation, study and public hearings, the state Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation (OC) determined that these specific areas exhibited water level declines that threatened the sustainability of the aquifer. “If the water level decline goes unchecked, it could lead to unacceptable environmental, economic, social, or health consequences,” said OC’s Director of Ground Water Resources Anthony Duplechin. He said, “Water is being pumped out of the Sparta faster than nature can replenish it and water conservation is necessary for the recovery of this aquifer.”

The Commissioner’s draft order calls for monthly reporting to the department on how much water is being pumped out of non-domestic water wells. Also, should any restrictions on existing or new water wells be needed, these will be made on a case-by-case basis with ground water for human consumption and public health and safety as first priority.

Duplechin noted that there are no restrictions on withdrawals at this time. He said the next step in the designation process will be to hold at least one public hearing in the locality of the proposed critical ground water areas. The dates and schedule for these hearings have not yet been determined. The Ground Water Resources Division will continue to conduct further investigations before a final determination is made.

Act 49 of the 2003 Regular Legislative Session authorized the Office of Conservation to manage, protect, and conserve the state’s groundwater resources.

More information on the state’s Ground Water Resources Division can be found on the web atwww.dnr.state.la.us under the Office of Conservation.

Related Links:
Draft Order CGWA-1-04