LCRA Approves New Water Plan to Protect Cities and Businesses

The Lower Colorado River Authority has adopted a new Water Management Plan that gives the agency more leeway during periods of drought in protecting water sources that supply cities and businesses — primarily the city of Austin. Approved unanimously, the plan calls for added protection for Matagorda Bay. It also calls for Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan to be at least 65 percent full during droughts before the authority can sell to downstream customers such as rice farmers who do not pay the annual fee. (Austin American-Statesman)