Northeast Texas water is focus of Dec. 9 public forum

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Nov. 11, 2004 - Northeast Texas citizens will have the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding water planning issues during a Dec. 9 public forum in Gilmer.

The public forum will be 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Gilmer Civic Center.

Just prior to the forum, at 2 p.m., the Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group (NETRWPG) will hold their meeting also at the Gilmer Civic Center. The decision to hold the public forum was approved at the NETRWPG's October meeting.

"Our goal is to give residents in Northeast Texas an opportunity to provide input on issues which they feel are important as the regional water planning process continues in the region," said Jim Thompson of Cass County, chairman of the Region D group.

Representatives from the NETRWPG, or Region D planning group, and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will be in attendance at the forum.

At the public forum, breakout sessions, to include priority issues, special interest and water supply needs, and special issues, will be on the agenda. Special interest needs would be such issues as agriculture/forestry, recreation, environment/wildlife, and public. Water supply needs would concern, for example, surface, groundwater, reuse, conservation and desalination. Special issues could include mitigation, lakes, and property rights.

During the forum the TWDB, who supervises the Texas water planning process, will explain planning guidelines.

"The forum is an extension of our continuing efforts to involve the public in the (region's water) planning effort," said Thompson.

In other action at the Oct. 20 meeting, the Region D board accepted the resignation of Gerald Brewer of Winnsboro, and authorized the replacement process to begin. They also heard information concerning groundwater management and began initial action to establish a groundwater management policy.