July 2010 - Community Impact Newspaper

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16 | July 2010 Community Impact Newspaper • Lake Travis/Westlake Edition Water quality CONTINUED FROM | 1 and will become more so once the city expands its wastewater facilities. Cost of irrigation Burnet Assistant City Manager David Vaughn, said the city is looking for other irrigation options, such as expanding effluent to irrigate its parks, but still believes the city will need to discharge water into Hamilton Creek. Burnet’s wastewater project will be more expensive than originally expected and cities that plan to irrigate must retain enough land for irrigation or build ponds to retain the water, which can be costly. Vaughn said discharging effluent would be the least expensive option. “One of the things people have said is why would you ask for a permit if that is not what you intend to [use it for]? One of the biggest reasons is simply cost. We started with a $4 million project, and now we’re staring $15 [million] in the face,” Vaughn said. “That’s a scary proposition as it is. Obviously, we’re going to have to increase rates significantly to our rate payers [to] pay the $15 million, and we’re not in a position to pay several million [dollars] more for holding ponds and land capacity or an irrigation-only permit.” Discharge ban Many groups concerned about the lake’s water quality already rallied together to ensure a discharge ban was not overturned by TCEQ late last year. The ban, adopted in the late 1980s, prohibits the discharge of pollutants, including effluent, into the Highland Lakes. The discharge ban only affects those within 10 miles of the lakes, leaving Burnet just outside the affected area. TCEQ chose to leave the ban in place because it is unsure how added nutrients would effect the water. Nutrients include nitrate, phosphorus, nitrogen and ammonia, all of which can cause excessive algae growth, that turns water green and decreases oxygen in the water. “One of the things wastewater does to a water body is provide nutrients. Because we don’t have any numerical nutrient standards in place for the reservoirs, there was no way to measure whether or not additional nutrients were causing degradation in water quality or not,” said Lisa Hatzenbuehler, Water Resource Protection manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority. LCRA, a conservation and reclamation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, is tasked with a variety of roles in Central Texas, one of which is to manage the water supply and environment of the Lower Colorado River Basin. LCRA filed a Request to Comment to the TCEQ in November 2009, with a follow-up letter in February 2010 because the district has concerns about Burnet’s proposed agreement. Specifically, LCRA raises concerns about the city being allowed to discharge into Hamilton Creek during low-flow time periods, such as droughts, and the amount of nutrients that would be added to the lake. While there are not yet standards in place for how much nutrients could be added with minimal effect, TCEQ is working on getting them in place. Once those standards are approved, there could be another re-evaluation of the ban. Increasing effluent For now, TCEQ is focused on determining whether to approve Burnet’s request. The new agreement would increase Burnet’s water discharge rate to 1.7 million gallons per day from its current allowable rate of 726,000 gallons. The current agreement allows Burnet’s wastewater to enter the creek at a lower treatment level than the amended version would allow. However, under the current agreement, the city has not been releasing its allowable amount regularly—it has only discharged six times in the last six years. This means if the city began releasing 1.7 million gallons daily, it would not just double the amount but would drastically change the current discharge rate. While it is possible Burnet may not take advantage of the allowable amount, there would be nothing to stop the city from doing so if TCEQ approved the agreement. “If you turn that around and start discharging every day, then obviously you’re going to have wastewater in there every day and there will be more wastewater more frequently,” Hatzenbuehler said. One solution LCRA is proposing to Burnet is to allow the city to discharge only on days when there is a flow amount of 4-cubic-feet per second in the creek. “That flow amount happens more than 50 percent of the time, so if there’s water in the creek that often, it would help dilute the wastewater flowing into Lake Travis eventually,” Hatzenbuehler said. Some of the groups that rallied together to oppose the discharge ban, including Protect Lake Travis Association and TCWCID #17, are trying to ensure Burnet’s permit request is not approved without LCRA’s proposal. PLTA President Lonnie Moore, who represents a variety of lake users from lakefront property owners to scuba divers, said his group supports LCRA’s proposal but would prefer no dumping of effluent at all. “We would prefer if the LCRA went a little further, but we would be basically satisfied if the LCRA accomplishes what they’re asking for,” Moore said. “If it were up to us, in a perfect world, there would be no discharge into the creek at all, but we’re realistic in what can be accomplished.” He said once the permit agreement is finalized, PLTA will try to work cooperatively with Burnet to avoid discharging effluent into the creek on a voluntary basis. e Tax Rebate has expired but the BUYER REBATE IS HERE! Up to $8,000 back when we represent you as a buyer in the purchase of a home.* *Limited time only and conditions apply www.LindaWelshRealty.com 512-263-1030 Linda@LindaWelshRealty.com LCRA has requested a contested hearing agreement unless Burnet can resolve LCRA’s concerns. The earliest a contested hearing would likely occur is August. Vaughn said the city hopes to have an agreement with LCRA and its wastewater permit amended by TCEQ by the end of the summer. Timeline City of Burnet faced with the need to double its wastewater facilities and requests TCEQ to amend its wastewater permit November: LCRA submits comment letter to TCEQ and begins working with Burnet to reach an agreement to address LCRA’s concerns February: LCRA sends a follow-up letter to TCEQ recommending additional provisions if an amended discharge permit is granted August: City of Burnet expects an agreement to be made Summer: The earliest Burnet believes it could begin construction of a new $20 million wastewater plant to replace its current one Linda Welsh, ABR, GRI, SRES, CLHMS Accredited Buyers Representative Graduate Realtor Institute Seniors Real Estate Specialist Certi ed Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Multi Million Dollar Producer Rebate is ½ of 1% on the home. Must have a signed buyer/tenant representation agreement. Must purchase and close on a property where Linda Welsh Realty is paid the Buyer Broker Representation fee o ered by a listing agent. Linda Welsh Realty and NYTEX Auctions are a division of Linda Welsh Auction & Realty Group. 2008 2009 2010 Water flow from the City of Burnet to Lake Travis Lake Lyndon B. Johnson N 962 Inks Lake Marble Falls Lake Marble Falls 29 281 Hamilton Pool Rd. Burnet 71 2011 City of Burnet Wastewater Treatment Plant Comment at more.impactnews.com/8906 Effluent, or wastewater, from the City of Burnet Wastewater Treatment Plant flows into Hamilton Creek, which winds its way into Lake Travis. Briarcliff Lake Travis Lago Vista 29 • Burnet plans to build a new plant that will double the amount of effluent. • Construction on the plant is expected to begin summer 2011. • Burnet is looking for ways to use more effluent in irrigation, but city staff believes it will have more effluent than can be used. Lakeway
Water safety CONTINUED FROM | 1 possibility of some terrible things happening,” said Roger Wade, public information officer for Travis County Sheriff’s Office. “Everybody is working together with the promoter to make sure everybody is safe.” A variety of public safety and emergency response teams have jurisdiction on and around Lake Travis. The Lake Travis Task Force is a coalition of these agencies that meets monthly to share information and coordinate efforts to keep the lake safe. Wade said the various agencies talk about upcoming holiday weekends and large events like AquaPalooza so they can make sure they have enough manpower to cover the lake. They also work together to educate the public about lake safety. “All the different agencies that work around the lake now can talk to one another and know what their limitations are and what they can offer out on the water, so if there is something that happens we can respond with the appropriate personnel,” Wade said. This year Lake Travis has been hovering around full capacity at an elevation of 681 feet since March, which means more people may be taking advantage of the lake. “There are a lot of boats on the lake,” said Clara Tuma, spokesperson for the Lower Colorado River Authority, one of the organizations that patrols the lake. “We expect it to be a busy summer. And when you have a lot of boats on the lake, you have more potential for boat accidents.” Marine law enforcement saw a decrease in the number of boating-related fatalities last year in the state of Texas. In 2008 there were 61 boating-related fatalities but that number dropped to 38 in 2009, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The total number of statewide water fatalities was 127 last year, with two of those occurring on Lake Travis. Two people have died already this year on Lake Travis—one was boating related. Hazards come with high water At 64 miles long, Lake Travis is the largest lake in Travis County. “Lake Travis is a very, very urban lake; there’s a lot of people that come to Lake Travis,” said Patrol Sgt. Len Snyder, one of about 25 LCRA Rangers whose focus is to provide law enforcement, public safety and medical rescue on LCRA lands and waters. Tuma said the high level of water in the lake has allowed all of the boat ramps to open and other areas of the lake to be accessible to people again. “Every level of the lake poses a different danger,” Tuma said. “But it’s not a dangerous lake; it’s a dangerous situation if you’re not careful.” Tuma said that, like traffic accidents, not everyone involved in a boat accident is at fault—there is just a greater chance of collisions with higher volumes on the lake. Most accidents occur, Snyder said, when people consume too much alcohol, travel at high speeds or are not cautious and engage in horseplay with their boat or personal watercraft. High waves can also be an issue on the lake. Snyder said two boats capsized over Memorial Day weekend, dumping their passengers into the water. A popular destination for boaters that can sometimes turn dangerous is Devil’s Hollow, also known as Devil’s Cove. “Because you have many boats, many people and it’s a confined area, things happen,” Tuma said. “You throw alcohol into the mix and it’s shenanigan central.” Along with accidents and drownings, Snyder said the Rangers have seen issues with carbon monoxide poisoning at Devil’s Hollow. “All these boats are on the water with their radios going, and they have to leave their engines running to keep the batteries charged and there’s all that carbon monoxide from hundreds of boats rafted off together,” he said. Staying safe Bill Hagy, LCRA boating and water safety coordinator, said the main reason people drown on a lake is they were not wearing some sort of personal flotation device, or PFD. “I don’t care what else they were doing out there; they’re dead because they weren’t wearing a life jacket,” he said. According to Texas law, children younger than 13 are required to wear a Coast Guard–approved PFD while the boat is under way and all vessels must carry an Tiffany Young The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is one of the entities patrolling Lake Travis. Lake Travis Task Force The Lake Travis Task Force is a multi-agency public safety organization made up of law enforcement and emergency responders with jurisdiction on or adjacent to Lake Travis. Members include: • Austin/Travis County EMS • Civil Air Patrol • Jonestown Police Department • Lago Vista Police Department • Lake Travis Fire/Rescue ESD #6 • Lakeway Police Department • LCRA • North Lake Travis Fire/Rescue ESD #1 • Pedernales Fire Department • Texas Parks and Wildlife • Travis Co. Constable, Pct. 2 • Travis County Fire Marshall • Travis County Parks • Travis County Sheriff’s Office • Volente Fire Department easily accessible PFD for every passenger on board. This year TPWD game wardens have already issued 26 citations to vessels having an insufficient number of PFDs. Manufacturers now make lightweight life jackets that have Co 2 canisters attached that only inflate the jacket when exposed to water. Tuma said people should be aware of their surroundings and know how to identify mile markers on the lake so they can tell safety officials where they are in an emergency. Boating while intoxicated, or BWI, is an offense that carries similar penalties to driving while intoxicated. Tuma said people should limit their alcohol intake and stay hydrated if they are drinking. TPWD spokesman Mike Cox said a lot Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com July 2010 | 17 Have you chosen the colleges, but need a system for storing and organizing the paperwork? College App Tracker Your Organizing Solution for College Applications Applicati • Portable desktop storage container - 6 “College” hanging fi le folders - 1 “Checklists” hanging fi le folder - 1 “Testing” hanging fi le folder for test registration - 1 “Financial Aid” folder for copies of FAFSA and more re • Updated standardized test dates and registration deadline e $57 (plus $10 shipping/ handling) information sheet • Activity checklist from Fall of Junior Year through May of Senior Year • Spreadsheet to help track due dates and milestones in the application process • Spreadsheet to help track loan, scholarship and grant applications Nobody’s Waterproof The Nobody’s Waterproof campaign, a partnership between LCRA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, began in 2006. Most weekends during the summer, Nobody’s Waterproof staff venture out onto one of the Highland Lakes to engage with boaters about being safe on the water. LCRA Communications Specialist Kendra Clawson said Nobody’s Waterproof’s primary target group is males ages 18–34, the age group studies by the U.S. Coast Guard have shown are most prone to accidents in the water. Nobody’s Waterproof summer staff, who are in the same age group, ask other boaters water safety trivia questions and then give prizes for attempted answers. “It’s young people educating other young people about water safety,” Clawson said. Clawson said the campaign focuses on the importance of wearing life jackets, and studies conducted by Nobody’s Waterproof on Lake Travis and Lake LBJ using a U.S. Coast Guard–approved program show life jacket usage on those lakes has gone up since the campaign began. From 2007 to 2009, there was a 10 percent increase in overall life jacket use and a 14 percent increase in its targeted age group. Nobody’s Waterproof will be on Lake Travis July 3, 9 and 10. Visit www.nobodyswaterproof.com. of boating accidents could be prevented if people participated in boating training class—and also if they stayed sober while on the lake. “A lot of those accidents are caused when people are on the water and they’re drinking and begin to feel they’re invincible,” he said. Robert Cullick, head of strategic communication at the LCRA, said Lake Travis is not dangerous in and of itself, but it is when people head out on a boat without experience, skill or knowledge that they run into trouble. “It’s like you’ve never driven before and you decide to go out at 5 p.m. on [Interstate] 35,” he said. “It’s not a good idea.” Order today at www.collegeapptracker.com Samantha Bryant Comment at more.impactnews.com/8904
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