LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 for the purposes of "control, storing, preservation and distribution of the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries within the boundaries of the authority" The territory consisted of the counties of Blanco, Burnet, Llano, Travis, Bastrop, Fayette, Colorado, Wharton, San Saba and Matagorda.

As soon as the river authority was established, the amendments began, the first in 1935. From the 30's through the 80's, changes were relatively positive and minor.

Then the 90's hit with a bang!
What happened to cause these major and possibly unhealthy changes?

1993 - The statutory district was expanded to include the watershed of the inflows below the intersection of Coleman, Brown and McCulloch Counties . This small change was just the beginning of the major changes in the LCRA service area.

1995 - Lampasas County was added to the statutory district, but was restricted. "LCRA may not provide water or wastewater services in the Brazos River watershed portion of Lampasas County without the consent of the Brazos River Authority." LCRA was buying the bankrupt Lometa Water System and wanted to expand retail sales into Lampasas County.

1997 - Cedar Park and Leander were added to the service area. Both of these cities had been withdrawing water since the 80's. Now the legislature made them legal.

1999 - HB 1437 allowed LCRA to sell up to 25,000 AFY throughout Williamson County. "Such sales are conditioned on there being no net loss of water to the Colorado River watershed." The bill allowed LCRA to collect a fee "to pay for developing water resources that offset water transferred out of the Colorado River basin and benefit areas served by LCRA's irrigation operations."

2001 - LCRA could "enter into a long-term contract to sell water to a municipality located outside its water service area". LCRA claims this is the SAWS amendment, but no mention of San Antonio Water System is in the amendment.  If the SAWS Project is terminated, shouldn't the Legislature remove this amendment?

For a complete synopsis of the Enabling Legislation, click here.