‘Dredging zones’ set on Highland Lakes

The Lower Colorado River Authority has limited large-scale dredging on the Highland Lakes to four zones where industrial operators may remove, process, stockpile and resell sediment from the lake bottoms. Three are on Lake LBJ, a fourth is on Lake Buchanan. But the geographical limits have done little to alleviate concerns of Hill Country residents — even those whose homes aren’t directly adjacent to the locations. Phil Wilson, general manager of the LCRA, selected the zones last month after the river authority’s board opted to open all six lakes in the sprawling region — Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis and Austin — to commercial dredging.

The industrial activity is now allowed for the first time since the treasured waterways were formed by dams nearly a century ago. Last month, the San Antonio Express-News reported that the board’s vote in favor of commercial dredging was tipped by Gov. Greg Abbott’s most recent appointee: Matt Arthur, general manager of a mining company that already dredges on the lower Colorado River basin about 100 miles southeast of the lakes. The commercial dredging uses noisy machinery that can stir up pollutants and pose hazards to those nearby and would require unsightly plants to process the sediment onshore. Its proponents counter that large-scale dredging can help control flooding and restore navigability in areas clogged with sand. The LCRA has posted maps online that show the four sections where commercial dredging may occur in the water — at least for now. The LCRA’s general manager may “revise or terminate such designations from time to time,” according to the river authority’s new ordinance. Wilson was not available for an interview, an LCRA spokeswoman said. He selected the zones “based on the need to address navigation, critical infrastructure, public safety and water supply,” she said in an email.