Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District board president resigns; hydrologist contract terminated

The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District meeting Dec. 10 brought two immediate changes: board President Webb Melder, elected to the board in 2018, resigned, and the board terminated a contract with a consulting hydrologist.

“I can confirm that I received a letter of resignation from former Board President Webb Melder on [Dec. 10] effective the same day,” LSGCD interim General Manager Samantha Reiter said in an email Dec. 12. “Director Melder did not provide a reason for his resignation, only that he would not be able to hold over the position.”

The board may appoint a representative to fill the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 1, 2020, she said. It will move to fill the vacancy as soon as practically possible, she said.

LSGCD board Vice President Harry Hardman also offered a statement via email.

“The Lone Star Board of Directors regrets the resignation of President Webb Melder,” Hardman wrote. “Webb has been an ardent proponent for private property rights, and has served Montgomery County extremely well during his 56 years of residency here. We wish Webb all the very best moving forward and a sincere thank you for all you have done for our community.”

Before his election to the board post, Melder was mayor of the city of Conroe.

When contacted via email Dec. 11, Melder said he was considering a statement but had not yet prepared one.

Earlier in the meeting, Treasurer Jim Spigener made a motion to terminate a contract with Harden Hydrology when it came up for review, according to the video of the meeting on the district website.

“I’m going to make a motion that we terminate Harden Hydrology contract along with the subsidence study piece of that,” Spigener said. “I think we’re going in a different direction.”

The motion was approved by the board.

“Unfortunately, the board felt Harden Hydrology, LLC was not a fit for the district,” Reiter said in an email Dec. 12. “The District is eager to continue on its path forward and is actively seeking to hire another consultant in order to continue moving forward with draft rules and the District’s Management Plan.”

The district is using Thornhill Group Inc. for the foreseeable future while looking for a replacement, Reiter said.