AUSTIN — LCRA will hold three public meetings in November to give residents an opportunity to comment on a summary of draft study plans, representing the first phase of a proposed water-sharing agreement with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, Nov. 6: Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton St., Wharton, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 7: Travis County Precinct 2, 4501 FM 620, Lake Travis, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 14: Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St., Burnet, 7 to 9 p.m.

The three public meetings are being held to keep the public informed about the study phase of the water-sharing project. Those who attend will be invited to participate in one-on-one discussions for each part of the study plans. Public comments will be recorded.

"These high-level draft study plans address questions that the public has raised in previous meetings, while ensuring that we meet state law," said Paul Thornhill, LCRA executive manager of River Services. "The LCRA Board won't go ahead with implementation if these studies show the project isn't in the best interest of the lower Colorado River basin."

A project team, composed of LCRA, SAWS and outside experts in several fields, has been drafting the study plans as part of the initial phase of the project. The draft study plans are a first step in assessing the potential environmental and economic effects of the LCRA-SAWS agreement on the lower Colorado River basin. The study plans will guide the proposal to be presented to the LCRA and SAWS boards for their review during the first half of 2003. If approved, detailed studies will begin in mid-2003 and will take several years to complete.

LCRA and SAWS officials signed an agreement in February 2002 to work together on a long-term interbasin water supply project. If studies show that the project is viable, the project will provide up to 330,000 acre-feet of water a year with off-channel reservoirs that capture unallocated water such as floodwaters, and with aggressive agricultural conservation techniques. Up to 150,000 acre-feet of water per year would be carried by pipeline to the San Antonio region for up to 80 years. The project also would meet projected agricultural needs in the coastal region, benefit the Highland Lakes and enable some rural communities in LCRA's service area to improve their water supplies.

Summaries of the study plans will be available for public review on the LCRA Web site, www.lcra.org. Printed copies will be available at LCRA Headquarters, 3700 Lake Austin Boulevard in Austin, or by calling (512) 473-3200, Ext. 2306, or 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2306.