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<p class="5EDFBodyCopy">This report explains the process by which Texas Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) have executed their statutorily required planning function to arrive at a Desired Future Condition (DFC) and the inextricable link that exists between DFC development and state water planning.&nbsp; We first provide background information on legislative history, Groundwater Management Area (GMA) joint planning, and the DFC process itself.&nbsp; The report describes the important and inextricable linkage between DFC development, Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG) determination and how this does or does not inform regional and state water planning efforts.&nbsp; To highlight the limitation of an “administrative review” of explanatory reports submitted in support of DFC by various GCDs and GMAs, we identify technical and significant differences in both documenting and justifying adherence to statutory requirements regarding the development of the DFCs.&nbsp; Recognizing that not all GCDs are created equal or have similar and sustainable funding for the development of the DFCs, we highlight differing processes and perspective views from a few GCDs based on our review of their explanatory reports.&nbsp; Lastly, recognizing the myriad of challenges and limitations, we provide recommendations of how the DFC process could be enhanced for the benefit of all users and uses, including the preservation of groundwater resources to ensure their sustainability.</p>

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