Region D planners reach agreement that pushes Marvin Nichols into the future

By Kenny Mitchell

Publisher

Regional water planners have reached a mediated agreement on the future of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir in the Sulphur River Basin The agreement is much awaited positive news for Northeast Texas landowners that have long fought the progress of the projected $7 billion project that would force local landowners to abandon generational farms and ranches.

The agreement, that has already been ratified by Region D, includes a comprehensive study that will be an “Apples-to Apples” monetary and non-monetary comparison of the Marvin Nichols and Toledo Bend projects. The study is to be conducted by firm(s) that can provide a fresh assessment, commence by March 2026, and be completed by July 2027.”

Even bigger news for those in Northeast Texas is the agreement between the two that no application for permitting would occur for Marvin Nichols prior to 2030, and that Region C will advance the Marvin Nichols project to 2070 and include Toledo Bend as a recommended water management strategy in the current round of planning. Toledo Bend is now made a Recommended Strategy (alongside Marvin Nichols Reservoir) in the Region C plan so both can be explored.

After ratifying the agreement, Region D Chairman Jim Thompson stated, “It is our hope that the mediation agreement will lead to comprehensive and independent studies of the impacts of Marvin Nichols as well as a more complete and accurate review of Toledo Bend and the possibility that the already impounded water located at Toledo Bend will become a viable water supply option in the future.” 

Following the mediated agreement, those with Preserve Northeast Texas, the group at the forefront of the fight against the proposed reservoir issued a statement saying, “While we are relieved that the timeline has once again been pushed back, mitigating the immediate threat of the reservoir, we remain deeply concerned that this destructive project continues to be considered as an option for Region C. The mediated agreement importantly calls for a comprehensive study of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the proposed reservoir. The study should be conducted with the utmost rigor and impartiality, ensuring that all potential consequences are evaluated. While the short timeframe for producing such a study is concerning, we remain hopeful it will be a thorough and impartial review. We are confident the damaging impacts of this reservoir deem this project impractical, unfeasible and unnecessary.” 

Region D Board member Fred Milton, from New Boston, said of the agreement, “We feel like the mediation agreement is a win-win for Region D. The study will collect data and be a very specific study that will give us a straightforward picture of what it will do to our area. We believe it will force Region C to look elsewhere for a source of water.”

Cass County Judge Travis Ranson also weighed in on the decision by saying, “We are pleased with the delay in the timeline for Marvin Nichols and hopeful a thorough study will yield what we have been saying for decades-Marvin Nichols is damaging environmentally, ecologically and economically. The people of our region deserve to have their voice heard and an impartial study is long overdue.”

Region D board member David Aikin is from Hagansport in Frankin County and is one of many generational landowners that would be directly impacted by the construction of Marvin Nichols. He said after the agreement was reached, “I believe this is a step in the right direction in terms of resolving this conflict. For the first time, Toledo Bend has been added as a recommended water management strategy for Region C. Along with it comes an “Apples to Apples” comparison to Marvin Nichols. In addition, those studies are to be conducted by firms that are hopefully independent. With that comes the agreement that no application for permits for Marvin Nichols would occur before 2030. While it doesn’t outright deny Nichols, in my opinion it opens the door to another viable alternative in Toledo Bend.”

To see the complete terms of the mediation agreement go to Region D’s external website found at https://rwrd.org/region-d/ and see their meeting agenda from August 13, 2025, under Agenda Item #5.