LCRA offering rebates for milfoil management on Lake LBJ, Inks Lake

Cities, counties and homeowners/property owners associations eligible for rebates to help in removal, treatment of Eurasian watermilfoil

June 29, 2023

LCRA is offering rebates to cities, counties and homeowners/property owners associations that manage milfoil on Lake LBJ and Inks Lake between June 1-Aug. 31. Pictured is Eurasian watermilfoil, which is characterized by a reddish-brown stem and thread-like leaves.

BURNET AND LLANO COUNTIES, Texas – The Lower Colorado River Authority is offering rebates to assist cities, counties and homeowners/property owners associations in managing Eurasian watermilfoil on Lake LBJ and Inks Lake. All management plans must be approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before being implemented. LCRA is providing rebates of up to 50% of the project cost, up to a maximum of $12,500 per rebate, for milfoil removal or treatment conducted between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2023. LCRA has allotted $100,000 for the rebates. LCRA will issue rebates after the Sept. 1 application deadline and notes rebates may be less than 50% of the project cost, depending on the total number of applications submitted and rebate amounts requested. “We want to assist local groups in managing milfoil in their areas of the lakes,” said John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of Water. “Milfoil doesn’t pose a public health hazard, but it can cause issues for boaters and swimmers because it can form large mats on the surface of the water.” LCRA manages hydrilla and water hyacinth on the Highland Lakes when the vegetation has the potential to impact operations at LCRA dams and power plants. Milfoil, a non-native water plant, does not impact LCRA operations but can crowd out native plants. This year, the Highland Lakes seeing greater milfoil growth are Lake LBJ and Inks Lake, so the rebates are limited to management in those lakes. LCRA strongly recommends that milfoil be physically removed rather than treated with herbicides. Plants that are treated with herbicides can decompose and turn into a nutrient source for other plants and algae to grow in the same area. “The best course of action is to physically remove the milfoil to keep chemicals out of the waterway and reduce the opportunity for plant fragments to spread due to boating traffic,” Hofmann said. “Responsibly removing milfoil, and keeping fertilizers, grass clippings and leaf litter out of the lakes provides a sustainable and long-term benefit to the lakes.” To qualify for a rebate, an applicant must:

  • Be a lakeside property owners association or homeowners association, or a governmental entity such as a city or county.
  • Conduct milfoil management on Lake LBJ or Inks Lake between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2023. Any herbicide must be applied by a licensed aquatic herbicide applicator.
  • Use a treatment plan for milfoil that has been approved by TPWD as described in the State Aquatic Vegetation Plan. The TPWD Aquatic Vegetation Management Guidance Document is available online at www.tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_pl_t3200_1066.pdf.
  • Submit an application, itemized receipt of the work and proof of TPWD approval of the treatment plan to LCRA by Sept. 1, 2023.

If an herbicide is to be used, the applicator and/or applicant must provide notice to all public water intakes within a 2-mile radius and others at least 14 days in advance. See the application for a full list of required notifications. Detailed rules and the application are available at www.lcra.org/milfoilrebate. For additional information or to discuss a specific treatment proposal, email [email protected]. 

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

Media Contact:

Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
[email protected]