by Gene
Lowenthal
This morning, as expected, the LCRA voted to approve a water and
wastewater contract with Lazy Nine (Sweetwater) and directed Joe
Beal to negotiate the final terms of the contract.
There was a good turnout from the opposition. About 20 people pointed
out that the development would pollute Bee Creek and Lake Travis,
and asked (to no avail) the LCRA to require more protection from
the development.
The sequence
seems to go like this (we’ve heard it before):
•The LCRA Board asks Joe Beal what the rush is in getting this contract
approved
•Joe tells the Board that they need to approve this contract right
away, or else the developer will get water from another supplier
who will not require water quality protection measures
•The Board asks the staff what water quality protection measures the
LCRA is requiring of the developer
•The LCRA attorney answers that the only measures that can be put
in a contract are measures that the developer voluntarily agrees
to; the LCRA can’t demand anything
•The Board approves the resolution
Not exactly
logical, but that’s the way it goes.
Another
controversial item: The Lazy 9 MUD intends to pump and haul sewage
to the LCRA
wastewater treatment facility in Bee Cave until
the MUD constructs its own wastewater treatment plant. Speakers complained
about the risks of such an operation. Once again Joe said that the
developer would get the service somewhere else if LCRA didn’t
supply it, and that was that.
From
this experience and the Hamilton Pool Road experience, it should
now be obvious to
everyone (if it wasn’t before) that the LCRA
Board is there to rubber stamp the staff’s agenda. Our strategy
needs to adapt to this reality.
Thanks to all who pitched in.
--- Gene |