TCEQ executive director signs emergency order

In Nov. 2012, Lower Colorado River Authority requested emergency relief from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to its Water Management Plan due to persistent drought conditions in the Highland Lakes.  LCRA filed an Amended and Supplemental application for emergency relief with the TCEQ on Jan. 11, 2013 based on worsening drought conditions and with unanimous board support.

In response to LCRA’s request and the continuing drought conditions, the TCEQ’s Executive Director Zak Covar today signed an emergency order temporarily establishing a different process for curtailment of interruptible stored water for the LCRA.

This order modifies LCRA’s Water Management Plan to provide interruptible stored water for the first crop for downstream agricultural irrigators based on the combined storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis on Mar. 1, if the combined storage is at or above 850,000 acre feet. If the combined storage is at or above 920,000 acre feet, the release will adhere to the LCRA’s then current WMP but based on Mar. 1 storage rather than Jan. 1 storage.

A supply of water for a second crop will be released if the combined storage of the two lakes is at or above 850,000 acre feet on Mar. 1, and at or above 950,000 acre feet on Jul. 1.   If the combined storage is at or above 920,000 acre feet on Mar. 1, the release will adhere to the LCRA’s then current WMP but based on Mar. 1 storage rather than Jan. 1 storage.

The order was issued in accordance with section 11.139 of the Texas Water Code. A hearing to affirm, modify or set aside this order will be held as part of the TCEQ commissioners’ regular agenda meeting on
Feb. 13.

See order here.