Will Metcalf to TCEQ October 14, 2025

October 14, 2025

Kelly Keel Executive Director
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087

Re: San Jacinto River Authority Permit Request – Lake Conroe Diversion Rate Dear Director Keel,
1am writing to express serious concern regarding the San Jacinto River Authority’s (SJRA) most recent request to amend its existing water diversion permit for Lake Conroe, as well as to inquire about the status of the Lake Conroe Association’s (LCA) complaint filed with your agency on June 30, 2025.

As you know, I have been directly involved in this issue for many years and have consistently opposed the continued “temporary” seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe. What was originally
presented as a short-term measure nearly a decade ago to provide peace of mind to downstream residents has evolved into an abused and indefinite practice that wastes billions of gallons of valuable water while offering no measurable flood-mitigation benefit.

At the April 8, 2025 meeting attended by my office, the LCA provided evidence that approximately
2.2 billion gallons of water were released from Lake Conroe in June 2024 under the label of “Active Storm Management.” This program-unproven in its effectiveness for flood control and never authorized under the SJRA’s existing water permit-appears to be in direct violation of the conditions set forth by the TCEQ. Even more troubling, the City of Houston subsequently reported the diverted water as “beneficially used,” which seems highly implausible given both the flow rates into Lake Houston at that time and the city’s inability to segregate source flows within its facilities.

Now, reports indicate that the SJRA and City of Houston have submitted a request to the TCEQ to increase Lake Conroe’s authorized diversion rate from 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,000 cfs.

Based on the data shared with my office and the LCA, there appears to be no operational necessity for such a dramatic increase to meet municipal water demand. Rather, this proposal raises serious concerns about potential water loss, the precedent it sets for future misuse, and the apparent lack of transparency surrounding the review process.

Given the highly charged public history of the Lake Conroe lowering program and the promises made to my constituents that these practices would be temporary, I strongly urge the TCEQ to ensure any consideration of new diversion requests or permit amendments occurs through a fully public process with adequate notice and opportunity for stakeholder participation.The residents of Montgomery County deserve nothing less than full transparency in decisions that impact their homes, property values, and long-term water supply.

I respectfully request an update on the status of the June 30, 2025 complaint and any pending actions related to the SJRA’s permit modification request. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued service to the people of Texas.

Sincerely,

Will Metcalf
State Representative, House District 16