Metroplex water plan includes new reservoirs

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Dec. 15, 2005 - With a 16-3 vote, the Region C Water Planning Group passed their 2006 water plan, during the second round of statewide water planning on Dec. 5 at a meeting in Grand Prairie.

Region C consists of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area.

The plan has been submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), who will take the plan into consideration. 

The TWDB will develop a statewide plan from the plans submitted by the state’s 16 water planning group regions. The plans will include each region’s long-term strategies to ensure water supply for their residents — utilizing existing and new resources. And, the plans include conservation measures.

Region C’s plan includes utilzing existing water sources, as well as new ones, and conservation plans. 

According to Region C Chairman Jim Parks, “There is a difference in the plan (from the first round of planning) ... maybe we got smarter, maybe we didn’t.”

Parks said he is totally in favor of doing all the conservation they could, but the Region C Water Planning Group feels the need for water for its growing population is not sufficient from current sources and conservation efforts. Therefore, the group did not take the construction of new reservoirs in eastern Texas (Regions D and I) out of their plan.

�There is enough water from existing sources and conservation and reuse for the next 100 years without building new reservoirs. Groundwater has not even been considered,� said David Nabors of Paris, located in Region D. Nabors has been one of many strong advocates against building any new reservoirs.

Region D�s final water plan, which will be voted on at the Jan. 3 meeting in Mount Pleasant, does not include the building of any new reservoirs, but focuses on conservation and the use of existing water sources to meet the needs of its residents.

The 2006 Region C Water Plan includes four �new� reservoirs: Marvin Nichols, Bois D Arc, Ralph Hall, and Fastrill. Marvin Nichols and Ralph Hall reservoirs would be built on the Sulphur River. Bois D Arc Reservoir will be built on a tributary of the Red River. Fastrill would be built on Neches River.�

Another project added to the Regoin C�plan is Toledo Bend which reportedly has over 2 million acre feet of �water to sell,� according to the Sabine River Authority, which is the river authority for the Toledo Bend area.

�I understand the property owners (in the areas where new reservoirs are planned) being upset, but you have to listen to all the points of view,� Parks concluded.�

In the group�s 16-3 vote, those voting against the plan were Mary Vogelson, representing the public; Robert Scott, environmental representative; and Jim McCarter, representing small utilies.

The Region C Water Planning Group has not scheduled another meeting.�