HONDO ? The government agency in charge of the Edwards Aquifer must pay two pecan farmers upwards of $2.5 million for limiting their groundwater pumping, a jury decided Monday. The case is the first in Texas history in which a landowner has successfully sued a government entity for limiting their access to groundwater without compensation. After a federal judge?s ruling in 1993, the Texas Legislature created the Edwards Aquifer Authority to set limits on pumping. Glenn Bragg, a retired Texas A&M University extension agent, used his retirement savings to first buy the 60-acre property they call ?Home Place.? With their pumping limited, the Braggs had to lease water from other Edwards Aquifer permit holders. According to the Braggs, that difference in value was more than $4.4 million.

Source: Edwards Aquifer Authority must shell out to pecan farmers – San Antonio Express-News