LCRA proposes water plan to meet ‘48% increase in demand’

More to cities, power plants

Matt Dietrichson, Jan 27, 12.

The Lower Colorado River Authority published its draft water plan Tuesday, detailing stricter guidelines for releasing water to rice farmers and nearly doubling water reserves for cities and power plants.according to The Austin Statesman:

The 226-page plan allows more flexible management of the river basin to meet an expected 48 percent increase in demand from the LCRA’s firm water users, primarily cities and power plants, from 2010 to 2020.

Following an emergency request by the LCRA to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to break from the current water management plan and institute a curtailment policy that will probably cut off water to downstream rice farmers, the LCRA also asks for authority to take similar emergency measures without state approval.

The LCRA staff, which wrote the plan after hearing recommendations from a 16-member advisory committee representing cities, lakeside interests, rice farmers and environmental groups, is expected to present the plan for approval to its board of directors Feb. 22.

“This is a vitally important plan that affects everyone in the region,” LCRA General Manager Becky Motal said in a statement. “We want to encourage everyone to take some time and take a look at what’s being proposed and let us know what you think.” Comments on the plan can be emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) until Feb. 9.

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