Senators: More LCRA Water for Cities
The scarcity of Colorado River water has farmers and cities fighting over what there is. Photo courtesy LCRATwo state senators are pushing the Lower Colorado River Authority not to release water from the Highland Lakes to downstream rice farmers. In a letter to LCRA Chairman Tim Timmerman, Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Troy Fraser, R-Abilene, say municipal users like the city of Austin should take precedence.
Fraser says municipal users pay more, $151 per acre-foot, and should get more than the farmers, who pay $6 per acre-foot.
“With the drought we’re in we’ve had increased usage from the population growth and industrial usage, and when you’re in a drought there’s just not enough water to take care of everyone’s needs,” Fraser said. “I’m telling LCRA they’re required by law to interrupt the water going to agriculture users to make sure they’re taking care of the public.”
Fraser said that the two sides are talking, and that he’s hopeful the LCRA will reverse its earlier decision, and keep the water in the lakes.
