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Hofmann
As the Lower Colorado River Authority meets this month, discussion and action will include proposed amendments to the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP).
Officials want the pub lic to understand not only the critical nature of current conditions but their own role in shaping the policy.
“It’s important for everyone in this area to understand that we are in a serious drought,” LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hofmann said. “We’ve had some significant rain in
the region over the last few months, but very little rain has fallen in the watershed that helps replenish our water supply reservoirs, lakes Buchanan and Travis.”
The timing of the drought and existing update schedule hastened the sense of urgency to address the plan.
“[P]roposed updates to the Drought Contingency Plan are not in response to the current drought - the plan has to be updated every five years, and it just so happens the new plan is due by May 1,” he continued. “But the timing is good because we have learned a lot from our recent droughts and it’s important to get these changes in place before the expected hot, dry summer.”
Officials offered more insight on the context about designs for the planned updates.
Q: Where can readers find the proposed amended updates to the LCRA Drought Contingency Plan (DCP)?
A: The proposed changes are available on LCRA.org. (The direct page address is: https:// www.lcra.org/water/water- related-rules-and-regulations- for-public-comment/.)
Q: What are the most significant proposed updates?
A: “The proposed plan:
• Adds a new drought response stage between 900,000 acre-feet and 600,000 acre-feet of combined storage.
• Begins mandatory drought responses at 1.1 million acre-feet rather than the 900,000 acrefeet specified in the current plan.
• Adds an inflow trigger to the Stage 2 drought response to initiate water use reductions earlier in very dry conditions.
• Establishes minimum measures to promote consistency across the region.”
Q: What is “pro rata mandatory curtailment” and how will that impact “firm customers” if the combined storage of lakes Buchanan and Travis falls to 600,000 acre feet entail?
A: “If the combined storages of lakes Buchanan and Travis falls to 600,000 acre-feet, LCRA would enter pro rata curtailment and require every firm water customer to cut usage by the same percentage to help protect and preserve the region’s water supply.”
Q: What opportunities does the public have to comment on the proposed changes prior to the planned LCRA board vote in March?
A: “We welcome comments from the public online through Wednesday, March 13, or in person at the LCRA Board of Directors meeting March 26 meeting in Austin.”
Q: Why do LCRA official believe its critical time to consider updates to the DCP?
A: “The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires that DCPs be updated every five years, and the updated version is due to TCEQ by May 1, 2024.
Each firm water customer also must have its own DCP, and customer DCPs are required to be at least as protective as LCRA’s.
LCRA provides an optional DCP template to assist firm customers in developing their own plans.”
