Opposition is strong against Marvin Nichols reservoir

Representatives of the Region D Water Planning Group met in Pittsburg last Thursday, along with a large crowd of local landowners, with the general consensus being to stand firm in their opposition of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir.

In the public comment time of the meeting, person after person spoke about their opposition to the proposed reservoir in the Sulphur River Basin.

First to speak in public comments was Stanley Jessee, the Superintendent of Rivercrest ISD. Jessee stated, “I am completely against it for myself, my neighbors, and my friends. I am also against it for Rivercrest ISD.”

Jessee went on to describe the devastating impacts to his school district that would be brought about by the lake, stressing that the proposed reservoir would cut his district in half, take lands off the tax rolls, and cost them state funding, and students. He also stressed that it was impossible for his district to make long range goals, such as new construction. “Marvin Nichols is holding us hostage” said Jessee, as he implored the Region D officials not to let the lake hold his district hostage any longer.

DeKalb’s Max Shumake also spoke in the public comment period. Shumake has been in the struggle to oppose Marvin Nichols for two decades, going back to the days of the Sulphur Oversight Society, a group formed almost two decades ago to fight the lake’s construction.

Shumake thanked the Region D officials for their hard work in keeping the lake out of the state water plan. He said, “Stand by what we have done before and do what you can to vote no on Marvin Nichols.”

Gary Cheatwood also spoke in opposition of the lake, pointing fingers at the folks in Region C and calling them out for not living by their statements of using all other possible water strategies available before proceeding with Marvin Nichols. As did Ray Tabb, who pointed to the Trinity River as a much better source for the water needs of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.

Retired educator Donna Warren voiced her opposition by saying, “Marvin Nichols is going to affect our utilities, roads, and water lines. Where will that money come from.”

She also pointed out the negative impacts the proposed lake would have on the Clarksville ISD, archaeological sites inside the lake’s footprint, and the homes that would be buried underwater. “It’s about homes and properties…it’s not just about us, but our future generations.”

The meeting began with a lengthy review of the mitigation process, presented by Chandler Peter, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Peter explained each phase of the permitting process, with an emphasis on mitigation, and his presentation included several factors that seemed to indicate that mitigation for the proposed reservoir would be substantial, but also stated that it was impossible to accurately say anything about it at this time, as the Corps has not received any permit for the lake.

Throughout the meeting, the Region D planners over and over voiced their resolve against the proposed reservoir, with member after member noting that they want no action taken on Marvin Nichols, whether it be the permitting process or any other aspect of the project.

The Marvin Nichols Reservoir has been a proposed water strategy by water planners in the Dallas area for years, just as long as it has been opposed by water planners in our area of Northeast Texas. The two sides have played to a draw on several previous attempts to reach an accord. If the words disseminated by Region D planners on Thursday is any indication, the two will play to a draw this time as well.

The conflict still arises on the inclusion of the massive reservoir being included in the state water plan. Four years ago, Region D conceded to it being included as a proposed strategy for the year 2070. This go around, the Region C folks want to move that date up to 2050.

That is what raises the hackles of the Region D water planners, and there is every indication that those hackles will not be lowered.

Region D Chairman Jim Thompson stated, “If you think at any point you’re going to give them [Region C] something and they’re going to give you what you want, you might want to re-evaluate that position.” To Thompson, when Region C offers secondary options, it does not hold them as true secondary options. “The very first meeting we went to, they had Wright Patman, but then they took it off,” Thomson said. “Even though the water from Texoma is already there, magically it doesn’t come on until Marvin Nichols is online. Those reservoirs are already there.”

Thompson believes that if forced to take Marvin Nichols out of their plans, Region C could do so.

David Nabors, a representative on the Region D board from the Paris area, has long been an outspoken opponent of the reservoir, and again voiced his disapproval for the lake on Thursday, saying, “I’m not negotiating with Marvin Nichols Reservoir…Region C can do without or look someplace else.”

In the past, the conflict between the two water planning groups has ended up in the courts, and it is moving in that direction yet again. During public comments, Kelly Mitchell, who is a member of the Sabine River Basin Authority board, proposed being civil with Region C instead of going to the courts, calling that “rolling the dice” but his was an opinion not shared by most in attendance.

If Region D and Region C once again submit conflicting water plans, with Region D not including the reservoir, and Region C insisting upon its inclusion, the two sides will again face a decision by the courts, or possibly a decision made by lawmakers in Austin.

Thompson stated after the meeting, ““Region D is going to continue to try to reach an amicable agreement with Region C regarding Marvin Nichols Reservoir. Although thus far no such agreement has been achieved, it is our hope that one can be completed for this round of planning that will be satisfactory to both sides. Whether one is reached or not, it is my hope and belief that the Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Board will, to the best of its ability, protect the citizens, landowners, industries, agricultural resources, and natural resources of our Region.”

Region D will meet again Feb. 26 at the Region 8 Education Service Center in Pittsburg. The time of the meeting is tentatively set for 1 p.m.

The panel is tasked with presenting a first draft of their proposed water plan to state officials by March 3. Odds are, you will not find the words “Marvin Nichols” included in that plan.