Documents
NTVGCD Documents - Pine Bliss/Redtown Ranch
This page serves as a central hub for important documents related to the Neches Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD) and its role in managing our local groundwater resources. Here, you’ll find key documents such as meeting minutes from NTVGCD sessions, applications concerning the proposed groundwater wells at Pine Bliss and Redtown Ranch, and other critical reports. As new documents are made available, we will continue to update this page with information on local wells and other resources that impact our community’s water supply.
Additionally, this page includes documents obtained through FOIA requests, including hydrology reports and other technical studies, providing insight into the potential environmental and ecological impacts of groundwater extraction in our region. We encourage you to explore these documents to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing efforts to protect our water resources.
Includes the full application documents for the groundwater extraction projects.
Note the application dates, the Drilling Company, and the amounts requested per well.
Pine Bliss LLC Applications
Order of Applications for Pine Bliss LLC
Notice of Application for Pine Bliss, LLC
Redtown Ranch LLC Applications
Order of Applications for Redtown Ranch LLC
Notice of Application_Redtown Ranch
There were issues with the original applications. NTVGCD requested updates, but noted that the original application’s reason for the wells was “wholesale” (see item 3).
Application Deficiencies
The requests were noted and updated.
Pine_Bliss_Revised_Summary
Redtown_Revised_Summary
What has been hidden from the public? Why?
This document was part of the FOIA request, but other details or response was not provided.
Letter to McCarthy
Bass claims in his X post that CEM was “ensuring full transparency”.
Meeting minutes from NTVGCD board meetings.
Note what board members are present (any names look familiar from the applications) and that most discussions concerning these well applications were conducted in closed sessions. Note that one board member (drilling company owner) resigned a few days prior to the June 19th, 2025 public hearing.
Note on Closed Sessions:
Under Texas Government Code § 551.071, the NTVGCD Board reserves the right to enter a closed (executive) session during meetings to consult with their attorney regarding legal matters, including pending or contemplated litigation or other confidential legal concerns. While this is permitted by law, frequent use of closed sessions can limit transparency and reduce public insight into important decisions. We encourage citizens to stay informed and engaged by reviewing these meeting minutes and noting when closed sessions are used.
First Meeting Minutes from 2024 where it was noted that Kyle Bass and Dr. Quinn McColly (CEM) attended.
April 18, 2024
Gary Douglas, the board president, recused himself from the meeting just prior to the remainder of the board going into closed session concerning the well permits. No reason stated. He didn’t recuse himself from any later meetings or the vote for the permits (which he opposed).
May 30, 2024
The board agreed to consult a hydrologist, Advanced Groundwater Solutions, LLC.
July 18, 2024
**Update: I received several documents via FOIA request on 6/30/2025. The file on the NTVGCD website was updated to include the affidavit of Foster recusing himself. Receipt of the affidavit was never noted in any of the meeting notes nor documentation of Foster abstaining from any discussions involving these wells. The only notation was in April of 2025 when there was a vote to accept the applications as complete.
Updated Minutes File for July 18, 2024 to include affidavit
The board approved a permit for irrigation for Pine Bliss. Total usage applied for is 3,000,000 gallons (9.21 AF).
August 15, 2024
The Thornhill Group presented a study of monitor wells for the District. This group was referenced by Bass as part of an “independent, scientific review” (x-post). The board later received an update on the applications.
September 19, 2024
Update on applications by board attorney, Mr. Stover
October 17, 2024
The board went into closed session concerning the well permits.
November 21, 2024
The board went into closed session concerning the well permits.
January 23, 2025
The board went into closed session concerning the well permits.
February 20, 2025
Public forum concerning the well permits: Quinn McColly (CEM), Jordan Furnans (LRE Water), and Ed McCarthy (Attorney).
The board went into closed session concerning the well permits.
March 20, 2025
Public Forum: Mr Stover (board attorney).
Board accepted the applications as administratively complete. Donald Foster abstained from voting due to conflict of interest (only time this was noted).
April 17, 2025
Board accepted the order of applications for Pine Bliss and Redtown Ranch. Opposed by Gary Douglas.
May 15, 2025
Board Member Resignation June 16, 2025
The groundwater availability report prepared by LRE Water for Pine Bliss used standard, regulator-approved scientific methods. These included pumping test analysis using the Cooper-Jacob method and groundwater modeling based on the official TWDB Groundwater Availability Model (GAM) — the same model used by state planners to define long-term aquifer sustainability goals (MAGs and DFCs).
While some consultants requested additional details or clarification, no credible technical review has disproven the scientific foundation of LRE’s work. In fact, their report clearly acknowledged that the proposed groundwater withdrawals exceed the district’s allowable MAG — a statutory cap meant to prevent aquifer overuse.
Unfortunately, subsequent modeling commissioned by the applicant omitted critical regulatory context, including the fact that the MAG is a shared cap across all users, not a private allocation.
At a time when wells across the district are already going dry, the findings in the LRE report serve as a warning: approving this permit risks pushing the aquifer beyond its limits — with long-term consequences for everyone.
LRE Report
Groundwater Availability Study Bluebonnet Property
Redtown_Ranch_Groundwater_Availability_Study
RT1 (Image)
RT2 (Image)
RT3 (Image)
NTVGCD_HydroReport_Pine Bliss_MWLX_09052024
NTVGCD_HydroReport_Pine Bliss_QueenCity_09052024
NTVGCD_HydroReport_Redtown_CarrizoWellfield_09102024
NTVGCD_HydroReport_Redtown_MWLX _09122024
NTVGCD_HydroReport_Redtown_UWLX_09112024
AGS (NTVGCD board consulting firm) documented concerns about the LRE report (see above)
Ltr to McColly 10-29-24
KT Groundwater Consulting
Combined Modeling
Pine Bliss Modeling
Redtown Ranch Modeling
Bass claimed in his X post that Thornhill Group was also part of the “independent scientific review”. July 1, 2025: I inquired about documentation from Thornhill Group and the NTVGCD manager informed me that she has no documentation or knowledge of this. Thornhill Group was hired by the GCD to assist in a well monitoring program.