Lake Austin task force recommends boater fees


Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:02 PM - 20,801 Readers

By: KVUE News


http://cdn.bimfs.com/KVUE/c77ec58b2e742ce258b52cacc07042e76beced56.jpg

The Lake Austin task force agreed on a number of recommendations Monday evening to pass along to the Austin City Council for approval.

One of the recommendations is to begin charging boat users to launch at the city’s four public boat ramps including Walsh Landing and Emma Long Park which are now free.

“I think that certainly there will be some push back on some of our recommendations. I think that change can always be difficult,” said Ellen Witt, a member of the Lake Austin task force.

Fees collected from the boat ramps with city approval would be used, among other things, to combat Hydrilla, an aggressive, invasive and non-native species which is taking over close to one-third of Lake Austin.

Some of the money would be used to repair parking lots at some of the city’s boat ramps like the one at Walsh Landing.

“To a certain degree I'm very supportive of it but I just don't think it needs to be too costly to a family that's already paying for gas, paying for food, water, all that to come out here. I think reasonable would be something like $5,” said Geromi Trudeau who works at Boat Town.

The Lake Austin task force has not settled on a fee recommendation, however, members did take a look at the $10 that Travis County is charging boaters to put in at the 360 Bridge dock.

The city is hosting a public hearing on the recommendations for later this month.

The Lake Austin task force could marry input from the public hearing with their own recommendations which are due to the City Council in May.




Read Full Story at: KVUE News



MORE IN ALERTSMore Alerts news

Alerts

Heading to the lake? Expect lane closures on the RM 620 bridge at Mansfield Dam

Oct 18, 2026

If your route to the lake crosses Mansfield Dam, build in some extra time. TxDOT crews are working on the RM 620 bridge in front of the dam, repairing expansion joints, upgradin...

Read more →

Alerts

Early voting starts Monday: where to vote in Bee Cave, Lakeway, Lago Vista and Steiner Ranch

Oct 16, 2026

Early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election opens Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30. Registered Travis County voters can use any countywide polling site during...

Read more →

Alerts

Wind advisory Friday as strong cold front sweeps through Lake Travis area

Oct 15, 2026

The first strong cold front of the fall is expected to push through the Austin area early Friday, Oct. 16, and boaters on Lake Travis should plan for rough conditions. According...

Read more →