Opposition to reservoir continues to grow

The opposition to the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir in the Sulphur River Basin of Northeast Texas continues to grow with more counties added to the list of those opposed, and a strong statement made by the Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region D) in their newly submitted regional water plan.

In February, the leaders of Delta County joined the list of county governments that have passed formal resolutions denouncing the proposed reservoir. That list now includes Red River, Bowie, Cass, Morris, Titus and Marion Counties, along with several Northeast Texas municipalities that have voiced their formal opposition to the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. Titus County joined the list a few months ago, joining the list of local government leaders who voiced strong opinions against the massive land grab and all of the negative impacts to Northeast Texas that its construction would bring.

The proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir has been opposed by water planners in Northeast Texas since it first became an issue more than 20 years ago. Region D (Northeast Texas) has repeatedly fought and lobbied against the efforts of Region C (Dallas area) water planners to keep the reservoir out of the state water plan, and local landowners and businessmen like Ward Timber have gone as far as filing, and winning, a lawsuit to block the reservoir’s construction. The NETRWPG reiterated their strong opposition to the lake’s construction in the conclusion of their recently issued plan for Region D water supplies.

It states, “It has been and continues to be the position of the NETRWPG that due to the significant negative impacts upon environmental factors, agricultural resources/ rural areas, other natural resources, and third parties, Marvin Nichols I Reservoir should not be included as a water management strategy in any regional water plan or the State Water Plan. In referencing Marvin Nichols, the NETRWP incorporates Marvin NichoIs l, Marvin Nichols IA, and any major dam sites on the main stem of the Sulphur River. At the time of publication of this Regional Water Plan, no agreement has been made between Regions C and D for the purposes of the 2026 Region D Plan.”

The conclusion goes on to state, “In order to be included in any regional water plan or The State Water Plan, a proposed project must protect the agricultural and natural resources of the State. The pro- posed Marvin Nichols Reservoir would inundate vast amounts of agricultural and timber lands in Northeast Texas. In addition, this project will require very substantial acreage to be removed from production for mitigation of this project. It is the position of the Region D Water Planning Group that it is not possible to find that this project protects the agricultural and natural resources of the State when so much agricultural/ timber land will be inundated and when it is not known how much additional acreage will be required, the location of that acreage, or the type of acreage that will be taken for mitigation. Considering the aforementioned information, it is the position of the NETRWPG that Marvin Nichols Reservoir be removed from the State Water Plan, that Region C seek other more viable measures to meet any future water needs including, but not limited to, additional conservation, reuse, reduction of water losses, and reallocation of abundant resources currently available (Toledo Bend, Texoma, and other existing Reservoirs). Region D is willing and able to work with and assist Region C in exploring these potential water resources.”