Region D - North East Texas
2001 Regional Water Plan Overview
Basic Plan Facts
- Region D is projected to experience a 60% population increase over the 50-year planning period
- Total capital cost of proposed water supply measures: $25.5 million
- Two major new reservoirs proposed: Marvin Nichols I and Prairie Creek
What's at Issue?
While there are no identified unmet water needs in Region D, this region has historically supported the Dallas-Fort Worth area (Region C) with surface water supplies. This trend is continued with the proposed Marvin Nichols I Reservoir. There are numerous natural resources that are important to the vitality of the region that are at risk from future reservoir development. The region is host to rich, increasingly rare, bottomland hardwood forests and highly productive farmland. There are also ten bird, six fish, three mammal, one mollusk, and five reptile species in the region that are listed as endangered or threatened.
Action Items
Here are some of the items the Region D Planning Group must address.
Conservation and Drought Management
For conservation and drought management, the plan needs to...
- Include a drought management plan for limiting demand during water-short periods. Out of 268 water suppliers surveyed as part of the 2001 regional plan, only 6 had developed drought contingency plans.
- Assess current levels of municipal water conservation and recommend advanced measures. Only seven out of 268 water suppliers surveyed as part of the 2001 regional plan had developed water conservation plans.
Environmental Flows
To secure the protection of flows for fish and wildlife, the plan needs to...
- Evaluate alternative water supply strategies for effects on environmental flows. In addition, the plan must discuss how these flows are affected by current projects and existing water permits.
- Include information about the natural resources in the region, such as wetlands and individual springs, and discuss how these resources can be protected.
- Designate stream segments in the region that meet the criteria as having "unique ecological value". No segments were designated in the 2001 regional plan. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends 15 segments for designation in this region.
Wildlife Habitat and Farmland Protection
To avoid destroying valuable wildlife habitat and productive farmland, the plan needs to...
- Reconsider its recommendations for 15 unique reservoir site designations, most of which are inadequately studied and unjustified. These sites include some of the best bottomland hardwood forests left in Texas.
- Avoid recommending construction of unnecessary reservoirs. No specific need is identified for the water from Prairie Creek Reservoir and water from Marvin Nichols I wouldn't be needed if Region C implemented reasonable water conservation measures.
Wildlife Habitat and Farmland Protection
To avoid destroying valuable wildlife habitat and productive farmland, the plan needs to...
- Reconsider its recommendations for 15 unique reservoir site designations, most of which are inadequately studied and unjustified. These sites include some of the best bottomland hardwood forests left in Texas.
- Avoid recommending construction of unnecessary reservoirs. No specific need is identified for the water from Prairie Creek Reservoir and water from Marvin Nichols I wouldn't be needed if Region C implemented reasonable water conservation measures.
Economics
To ensure that only the most economically sound water supply strategies are implemented, the plan needs to...
- Compare the costs and impacts of the supply alternatives in a consistent and reasonable manner.
Additional Resources
- TWDB Regional Water Planning Website
- The 2001 Region D Water Plan
Analysis
The National Wildlife Federation analyzed the initially prepared plan using their Principles for an Environmentally Sound Regional Water Plan. Please contact us for more information about this analysis.
Region D