By Kenny Mitchell
Publisher
In the last session of the Texas legislature in 2023, the Texas Water Development Board was given the task of conducting a feasibility study on Marvin Nichols Reservoir. The study was to focus on the specific directives of analyzing the economic impacts, timeline, associated costs and the land acquisitions necessary to construct the massive reservoir in the Sulphur River Basin of Northeast Texas.
A part of that process was to hear from citizens about their thoughts on the projects, and the TWDB reported that they had received more than 100 submissions to review.
The TWDB released the feasibility report late Monday as water planners across the state are working on their proposals for the next State Water Plan.
The summary of the report lists no reasons to stop the construction of the proposed reservoir. It reads:
As related to the implementation timeline, the TWDB did not identify any basis to conclude that the implementation timeline for the Marvin Nichols Reservoir to be online in 2050 would render the project infeasible.
As related to associated costs, the TWDB did not identify any basis to conclude that the estimated costs of implementing the Marvin Nichols Reservoir would render the project infeasible.
As related to land acquisition considerations, the TWDB did not identify any basis to conclude that land acquisition requirements would render the project infeasible.
As related to the economic impact, the TWDB did not identify any basis to conclude that economic impacts associated with the project would render the project infeasible.
There are uncertainties associated with any large public infrastructure project, including related project costs and permitting, that will diminish as the sponsors advance the project from the planning phase through the implementation phases.
A draft report regarding the findings of this feasibility review is now available for a 30-day public comment period, after which the TWDB Executive Administrator will finalize and submit the report to the Legislative Budget Board and Governor by January 5, 2025.
Input must be emailed to feasibility@twdb.texas.gov by October 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CDT to be considered by the Executive Administrator.
Look for a detailed story on the findings of the feasibility study, along with comments from House District 1 State Representative Gary VanDeaver and others who have opposed the lake’s construction, in next week’s issue of the Bowie County Citizens Tribune.
