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LCRA APPROVES NEW WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
KXAN, Austin
News Coverage:
NPR/State Impact Reports:
"The Lower Colorado River Authority's board on Wednesday voted to hold back water to the rice farmers downstream because of the prolonged drought."
"In what they’re calling the most decisive issue they’ve ever come across..."
"LCRA GIVES THE GO AHEAD..."
Click here for full report
Provide facts and scientific data about Highland Lakes Water Management by LCRA to organizations, governmental entities, residents, and businesses. Provide objective real-time data that reflects actual facts. Provide speakers, PowerPoint, and Interactive presentations on request. Provide links to data at www.ourwater-ourfuture.com.
Provide facts and links to foster smart water use throughout the Lower Colorado River basin. Partner with municipalities and organizations that provide conservation plans as we deal with a potential drought worse than the Drought of Record. Provide information regarding options for users when wells go dry.
Provide and support an Interim Study Proposal to the legislature which will request a reevaluation of LCRA policies and procedures, and a review of LCRA statutory authority. Provide data and support the Interim Study Committee as needed. Provide documentation of concerns including definition of available water to sell; definition of Drought by LCRA and MegaDrought by scientists; equitable rate structure; implementation of the 1989 adjudication findings and transparency.
•Begin Burnet/Llano County Economic Impact Study
•Educate Residents, Organizations, Governmental Entities, and Businesses as to FACTS about LCRA water management policies
•Support TWDBs Proposition 2 on the November ballot
•Define our purpose as advocating for prioritization of additional water supply development and equitable, sound, basin-wide management
•Make courtesy calls on all Colorado River elected officials to introduce CTWC
•Support Legislative Interim Studies related to CTWC goals
•Begin developing language for legislation for the next LEGE session
Here's a Look at Some Basic Data:
There's a lot to understand when it comes to comprehending the water management issues. The terminology alone takes a little while to understand, however it's vital to know how the current system works so that you can grasp what is actually happening to the Central Texas creeks, rivers and lakes. If you have a moment, take a look at this Powerpoint presentation that we have saved as a PDF file for ease of viewing. This can help you get a handle on OurWater-OurFuture.Click here to take a deeper look into the issues and see dramatic visuals, as well as charts and graphs pointing to critical details.
Some Backstory: Lend an Ear
Population in the Highland Lakes region has exploded in the last decade at a rate of 27.5% to almost 2 million people, and the three rice farming counties have contracted by -1.7% to 98,000 people. The LCRA does not take the economic engine of the lakes region into account in planning yet these property owners pay 72% of the LCRA served 10 county “Robin Hood” taxes going to fund State of Texas schools.
It's Time, Friends, to DO THE MATH:
According to LCRA figures, the entire GDP of Wharton, Colorado, and Matagorda counties is $300 million. Tourism alone in Travis County in ’09 was $3.4 Billion dollars, yet 72% of the water use is in the 3 lower counties.
Hard, COAL Facts:
The LCRA has tabled selling water to the proposed coal-burning plant White Stallion, however it highlights the need to address LCRA's definition of "water available to sell."
Drop levers to learn more.
Our Water- Our Future:
Here's a little about who we are and how concerned people came together to form OurWater-OurFuture and Central Texas Water Coalition:
Who We Are:
In May of 2010, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) formed the Water Management Plan Stakeholders Advisory Committee. The committee consists of 16 individuals representing diverse interests: Rice Farmers, Environmentalists, Firm Customers, and the Lakes. After a year of meetings, and the realization that the Lakes are viewed as two big buckets of water rather than the anchor for communities and businesses, the Lakes Team decided to form the Central Texas Water Coalition. Representing Lake Buchanan are Jo Karr Tedder, Rusty Brandon, John Williams and Rick Albers. Representing Lake Travis are Janet Caylor, Kerry Spradley, Dorothy Taylor. Our Team includes David Lindsay, Tom Harrison, and Bill Aydam. In addition, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger, Burnet County Commissioner Bill Neve, and Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber have been instrumental in our evolution.
What We Do:
Central Texas Water Coalition is an umbrella 501(c)4 non-profit organization with plans to unite the 2 million people who live in Central Texas in accordance with our mission statement. Our website is www.ourwater-ourfuture.com . We will provide speakers to any and all organizations to share this urgent message: The water we have in the Lakes is precious, limited, and must be protected; there is no new water; and your voice can help protect our water and our future.
CTWC key issues for near term action and legislation
* For the complete white paper set forth by the Lakes Interests to the LCRA Water Management Plan Committee, please visit our Data Vault tab or click here to go to the Data Vault and download the PDF file.
Scroll down to learn more
Print News Media
Multimedia Reports
Click the planner to the right to stay connected to Central Texas Water Coalition's calendar. We will remind you of important LCRA meetings and other community gatherings, activities and events. If you see something you'd like to explore, just click on the event and it will tell you a few more details.
Recap Past Meetings:
You may have seen this video clip on social networking sites or at special presentations or group meetings. It states some basic facts that support our mission at Central Texas Water Coalition. Stay connected here to see all of our latest messages that support the efforts for a new and equitable water management system in Central Texas.
Levels of Membership
Beachcomber Friends, Individual Member
Donation of $100 Invited to General Membership Meetings; Newsletter
Edgewater Supporters, Organization/Club/Committee Donation of $250 Invited to VIP Meetings; General Membership Meetings; Newsletter
Lakeview Patrons, Corporate Member Donation of $500 Invited to VIP Meetings; General Membership Meetings; Newsletter
Lakefront Benefactor, Charter Member Donation of $1000+ Invited to all CTWC Meetings; Special VIP, Special Events; Newsletter
GOLD Charter Member Donation of $5,000+ Invited to all CTWC Meetings; Special VIP, Special Events; Newsletter and a special gift of appreciation.
PLATINUM Charter Member Donation of $10,000+ Invited to all CTWC Meetings; Special VIP, Special Events; Newsletter and a very special gift showing our gratitude for your support.
Lake Lovers, Membership to Students is FREE! Invited to General Membership Meetings; Newsletter, Support Membership Scholarships. Include your name, address in the email to us when you click this link.
I'm a Beachcomber!
Go for the GOLD!
I'm an Edgewater Supporter
I'd like to go Platinum!
I'm a Lakefront Benefactor
I'm a Lakeview Patron
Learn More About Supporting CWTC
Making donations via PayPal:
1. Select the Membership to the right, which is ideal for you and click the white link to the right. Your membership will be highlighted with a circle around it.
2. You'll be taken to a PayPal.com screen and there you can enter the donation amount associated with your membership level that you have chosen. For your protection, type that amount into the form please. (Ex. 500.00)
4. Then click on the orange button that says "Update Total" to finalize the donation amount.
5. You'll be asked to log into PayPal by entering your PayPal user and passcode Information. Follow the prompts from there.
6. If you have any trouble or if you are NOT a PayPal user, just email CTWC by clicking HERE and a representative will contact you to arrange your donation.
We thank you very much for your support of CTWC.
7. You can manually email CTWC to make a donation at this email: OurWater1_gmail.com
Send us a Letter or Donate to this Important Effort:
Central Texas Water Coalition
2303 RR 620 S
Ste 135 PMB 253
Lakeway, TX 78734
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RevisedLCRABoardPresentation3.pdf
FraserSecondCropLetter8-22-2011.pdf
Senator Troy Fraser addresses the LCRA board
Senator Fraser suggests that the LCRA curtail the interruptible customers
LCRA Board Presentation:
Powerpoint Presentation saved in universal PDF format showing extensive details of the matters at hand.
Changes in Water Management Needed STATESMAN.pdf
2011-02-23_LCRAWaterRates.pdf
LCRA Raw Water Rates:
Wondering about the cost of raw lake water that is sold off by the LCRA? Here is their rate sheet.
Austin American Statesman
Read an extensive report on why a new water management plan is needed now.
Learn More Now:
Click on any icon below to access special research and documents to explore OurWater-OurFuture's Findings:
Glossary of Terms.pdf
WMP_Ag_Acreage_Leveled.pdf
Lake Travis Economic Impact Report.pdf
Agricultural Land Laser Leveled
Here, you'll find the percentage of land that has been laser land leveled in each of the LCRA irrigation divisions. The data is through 2009.
Glossary of Terms Regarding Our Water and Our Future.
Learn about the terminology that is standard on the topic of water management
Lake Travis Economic Study
Lake Travis Coalition contracted this study.
SierraClubonWhiteStallion.pdf
Texas Water Journal
Take a look at the Texas Water Journal, paying attention to pages 12-14 in this PDF file and informative report.
Timmermandroughtsigned2011.pdf
The Sierra Club Letter
This is a letter from The Sierra Club which will point to the facts that point to why the LCRA should not sell off water right now.
Texas Water Journal.pdf
Burnet Commissioners Court Addresses LCRA
In this document from Sept. 2011, Burnet County Commissioner's Court is appealing to Chairman Timmerman and the LCRA Board of Directors.
Hou Chron Letter to Editor Sept 2011.pdf
Lakes Position 7-12-11.pdf
Lakes Position 7-12-2011
This is the complete white paper set forth by the Lakes Interests to the LCRA.
Houston Chronicle Letter to the Editor
Read responses from the public about the situation at hand, like this one posted in the Houston Chronicle.
Discuss.
Join us online
for discussions and organizational updates regarding Central Texas Water Coalition Issues on Facebook . Click on the Facebook Stamp to head on over to the FB site. We welcome your thoughts and discussions and value them because our goals our to protect our water and therefore, our future.
As a Lakefront Benefactor and Charter Member, a donation of $1000 or more has been made to preserving and concerving our most precious resource in Central Texas: Water. Lakefront Benefactors are invited to all CTWC meetings; Special VIP, Special Events and enjoy our regular newsletters and announcements that track the progress of our coalition.
Partners to Date:
As a Lakeview Patrons and Corporate Member, these partners have cntributed a donation of $500.00 and are i nvited to VIP Meetings, as well as General Membership Meetings. They recieve important updates and our newsletter.
As a Edgewater Supporters and a part of the Organization/Club/Committee, these partners have pledged support of CTWC with a donation of $250.00. Edgewater Supporters are Invited to VIP Meetings, general membership meetings and recieve a newsletter all of our latest updating correspondence on how our coalition is progressing with the organizational goals.
As a Beachcomber Friends and a part of the Organization/Club/Committee, these partners have pledged support of CTWC with a donation of $100.00. These supporters are invited to general membership meetings and recieve all of our latest updating correspondence on how our coalition is progressing with the organizational goals.
Lake Lovers stand strong behind the tireless efforts of those fighting for Central Texas Water Coalition's mission and goals. We appreciate their involvment in all of the actions in place and future movements to conserve, preserve and protect Central Texas water.
Members to Date:
Reporters and media individuals hoping to gain more information about the Central Texas Water Coalition's Mission can log onto this page for high resolution, print-ready images and multimedia.
Media Visuals:
Email us today for high resolution press images that convey drought conditions in Central Texas, images of economic impact and video/multimedia clips that can help you tell this story to mass media. Let us know what your editorial need are.
Download Our Press Releases:
PressReleaseCTWC July 2011.pdf
Drop Lever to Learn More
At the urging of the Central Texas Water Coalition, the LCRA Board voted to pass the Water Management Plan on which the four stakeholder interest groups had reached a qualified consensus. The staff will now complete the details and bring them to the board for a final vote in January 2012 to be presented to the TCEQ for final approval. Many lament that the new plan was not placed into motion before now, given the grim water levels in Central Texas. Had the new plan been in place this year, the second crop would have been interrupted and the lakes would be at early August levels.
