WELCOME

Welcome to Northeast Texas Water, a bimonthly newsletter published for the public by the Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group. The goal of this newsletter is to familiarize people with the water planning work underway in 19 Northeast Texas counties. If you would like to be included on our mailing list, please write us with your name and address.

MARVIN NICHOLS REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL

Marvin Nichols Reservoir continues to be one of the most controversial lakes proposed in Northeast Texas. The Northeast Texas Regional Planning Group recently heard comments from more than 250 people opposed to the construction of the lake which would inundate between 60,000 and 70,000 acres in the Sulphur River basin in Bowie, Franklin, Morris, Red River and Titus counties.

The group's opposition was based on the possible loss of family farms and properties with multi-generational ownerships, the loss of productive timber and farm lands, the possible loss of additional acres because of mitigation laws, the possible erosion of local tax bases, and possible stream flow reductions which could impact jobs at the International Paper Company mill near Texarkana.

Spokesmen for the protesting group said the Dallas area, which has proposed building the lake, should be required to undertake conservation methods before building the lake. Tony Williams, chair of the Region D group, told the group they are always welcome to attend the region meetings, but reminded them Region D has no state authority to build lakes and has tried to remain impartial on issues until the planning process is completed. "The group is certainly willing to keep an open mind on the lake issue," said Williams.

EAST TEXAN ADDED TO TWDB BOARD

Retired industrial engineer E.G. (Rod) Pittman of Lufkin has been appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve on the Texas Water Development Board, the agency responsible for water planning in the state. Pittman, a graduate of Texas A&M University and a long-time civic leader in East Texas, becomes the first East Texan to serve on the agency in ten years. "During the coming months, I hope to visit with each of the water planning groups in East Texas so that I can familiarize myself with the issues faced in Texas," he said.

NEW WATER PLANNING WORK BEGINS IN NORTHEAST TEXAS

The Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group has begun a new round of planning activities for 19 counties in the region. Meeting in Mount Pleasant on May 15, the group (Region D) discussed the scope of services which will be required by the Texas Water Development Board to update a plan submitted to the TWDB two years ago. The new round of planning, which will be completed in 2006, will include ten major tasks:

* The development of a new description for the planning area.
* A review and revisions of the region's population and water demand needs.
* A new analysis of water supplies in the area.
* The identification, evaluation and selection of water management strategies based on needs.
* The impacts of water management strategies on water quality and the impacts of moving water from rural and agricultural areas.
* Recommendations for water conservation and drought management.
* A description of how the regional water plan is consistent with the long-term protection of Texas' water resources, agricultural resources, and natural resources.
* Recommendations for unique stream segments and possible reservoir sites.
*Recommendations to the Texas Legislature for water infrastructure funding.
* Public participation in the adoption of the final plan.

The regional group will also undertake several additional tasks, including the identification and evaluation of safe drinking water issues, the development of county-level water supply master plans in counties with major water providers, and the identification of possible interconnections between water sources and water suppliers to improve supply reliability.

In other highlights of Region D's May 15 meeting, Richard LeTourneau of Longview was elected unanimously to succeed Ruth Culver, who recently resigned from the planning group. LeTourneau will represent the environmental community.

REGION D GROUP TO MEET IN AUGUST

The Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group's next meeting will be held Wednesday, August 21, at 1 p.m. in Gilmer [at the Civic Center near Wal-Mart on US Highway 271 North]. The meeting is open to the public. Chair Tony Williams of Marshall said the group will not meet during June and July. Region D is charged with water planning in all or portions of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Hopkins, Hunt Lamar, Marion, Morris, Red River, Rains, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. Williams said visitors are always welcome at the Region D meetings. "Our agenda always has a place for public comment on water issues," he said.

NORTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL WATER PLANNING GROUP (REGION D)
MEMBERS

Tony Williams, Marshall, Chair
Billy Adams, Atlanta
Barry Boswell, Mount Pleasant
John Bradley, Avinger
Gerald Brewer, Gilmer
Larry O. Calvin, Cooper
Maxie Chester, Emory
Steve Dean, Gilmer
Alton Dockery, Brookston
John Durgin, Canton
C.W. Forsyth, Jr., Omaha
Mike Huddleston, Wake Village
Gary Jackson, Lindale
William R. Justiss, Paris
Richard LeTourneau, Longview
Larry Olson, Greenville
David Parsons, Quitman
William Y. Rice, Longview
Vernon Rowe, Pittsburg
Beth Wisenbaker, Sulphur Springs
L.D. Williamson, Texarkana
Walter T. Winn, Jr., Gilmer
Eldon Wold, Mount Vernon