Cities request water from Lake Stryker

An application has been made with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to divert water from the perimeter of Striker Creek Reservoir to allow the lake to sell water to municipalities. David Mason, District Manager of the Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Water Control and Lake Striker plant manager said, the cities of Troup and Whitehouse want to purchase water from the reservoir. The city of Henderson has expressed a desire to buy lake water in the future and will have an option for water purchase.

If approved a pump station will be constructed at the lake and a water treatment plant south of Troup in Smith County.

"Thoughts of offering water to muncipalites came after Atibiti Consolidated Inc. in Lufkin, a paper mill, quit using lake water. Also, the Nacogdoches Power Co. will get water from the lake for the Biomass plant, now under construction at Sacul. Written public comments and requests for a public meeting should be submitted to the Office of Chief Clerk, MC 105, TCEQ, P.O. Box 13087, Austin 78711- 3087.

A public meeting will be held if the executive director determines that there is significant degree of public interest in the application.

Two oppositions are expected including one from the Lower Neches Authority, Mr. Mason said.

Contested case hearings may be requested.

The certificate of adjudication authorized the owner to maintain an existing dam and reservoir on Striker Creek, a tributary of the Angelina River, tributary of the Neches River Basis and impound an amount of water not to exceed 26,960 acre-feet.

The certificate authorizes the owner to divert, circulate and recirculate from the reservoir as much water as necessary to consumptively use up to, but not more than 20,600 for industrial purposes in Cherokee and Rusk counties.