Study considers basin transfer from Toledo Bend to Dallas area
Project proposes up to 500,000 acre feet of water to be moved annually

The East Texas Regional Water Planning Group will soon begin a study with two other Texas planning groups to determine the feasibility and methods of moving water from Toledo Bend Reservoir for use in Northeast Texas and the Dallas area.

The Dallas water plan recommends that Toledo Bend water be moved via a new pipeline to Lake Fork, a lake which currently provides water for the Dallas area.

The water will also be used to supply water needs in Northeast Texas through the Sabine River Authority of Texas. The project proposes the transport of up to 500,000 acre feet per year from Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River.

The study will involve:

• Coordination with the Dallas and Northeast Texas regional planning groups on water supply and locations.

• Identification of potential conflicts and environmental problems.

• Assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity, invasive species and the water quality of receiving reservoirs.

• Assessment of potential impacts to bays and estuaries and in-stream flows downstream of Toledo Bend Reservoir.

• Detailed and updated cost estimates of a pipeline, pumping stations and electrical generation.

Meeting in Nacogdoches Wednesday, the East Texas Water Planning Group also empowered its nominations committee, chaired by George Campbell of Nacogdoches, to consider persons to be submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for possible service on a state Advisory Group for Environmental Flows.

The group will meet Oct. 24 in Nacogdoches to consider individuals for the state panel.

In East Texas, the advisory group will consider environmental flows on a series of priority basins, including the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers, Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake and the Neches and Sabine Rivers in East Texas, explained Temple McKinnon of the Texas Water Development Board.

TWDB's Comer Tuck briefed the group on a new Water Conservation Advisory Council created earlier this year by the Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 3.

While Mr. Tuck said the geographic makeup of the council's membership was not a high priority in Austin, several members of the East Texas group complained that the region, which provides a significant amount of water consumed by Texas, does not have a representative on the panel.

Mike Harbordt of Diboll reminded fellow planners, "We need to stay focused on this issue so we are represented in the decision making."

The region includes all or parts of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Trinity and Tyler counties.