Northeast Texas water plan sent to Austin

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Jan. 12, 2006 - The North East Texas Regional Water Planning Group (NETRWPG) voted 21-1 on Jan. 3 to approve the region’s 2006 state water plan, which stipulates there will be no new reservoirs built in the East Texas area. 

Board member Mendy Rabicoff, who represents Gregg County, made the motion to “accept the plan as written” and it was seconded by Beth Wisenbaker, representing Hopkins County. Gary Jackson of Smith County voted against the measure. 

The group’s plan, along with 15 other regional plans, will be sent to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) who will have the task to “determine the path for the third round of planning,” according to TWDB representative Virginia Sabia.

The NETRWPG’s plan for its region (Region D) could also lead to a David-versus-Goliath-type battle because it contradicts the Region C’s (Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex) plan. In December, that group approved their plan which includes the building of Marvin Nicholas Reservoir in Northeast Texas (Region D). The reservoir was part of Region C’s first round of planning which was completed in 2001. 

The reservoir, if built, would comprise of over 67,000 acres of water, of which 80 percent would be for the metroplex’s needs. 

In May 2005, the NETRWPG voted to focus on water conservation and eliminated plans for any new reservoirs in their region, and would consider it only after all other water source options had been exhausted.

Where does this leave East Texans?

The next step depends on the TWDB’s interpretation of the groups’ plans. TWDB will meet with the 16 regional chairmen some time in mid-February in Austin. TWDB’s goal is to have a state water plan, that will ensure the all the state’s residents have adequate water, in place in 2007.

Sabia said basic work had been done and the board is “pretty open” to what should happen next.

Walt Sears, NETRWPG administrator, added he has seen comment that the next round would be an “implementation” round. At the Jan. 3 meeting he said, “We possibly could be talking about little stuff or it might be bigger stuff” depending upon the outcome of the Austin meeting, which is open to the public. 

In other news at the Jan. 3 meeting in Mount Pleasant, the board elected to keep their present officers: Chairman Jim Thompson, Vice-Chair Richard Letourneau, Secretary/Treasurer Beth Wisenbaker. At-large members are John Durgin and Mendy Rabicoff. Thompson and Rabicoff were also elected to continue being the liaisons to Region C and Region I (the area immediately south of Region D). 

Wayne Harris was also elected as a non-voting member to replace Barry Boswell who represented TXU. 

The next meeting date for the NETRWPG will be set after TWDB’s mid-February meetings and their findings are announced. Country World will post the meeting details in the Country Calender as soon as one has been scheduled.