During a meeting this week, the Texas Water Development Board of Directors declared that an interregional water conflict exists between water planning Region C and Region D. Region C’s initially prepared water plan for 2026 relies upon the controversial proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir project.
The Marvin Nichols Reservoir would deliver drinking water to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Region C, but would require the use of eminent domain to acquire nearly 200,000 acres in Region D in East Texas for the project. The issue has been controversial to residents who live near the proposed facility.
According to the Texas Water Code, if a water region planning group voices that an interregional water conflict exists with another region group in the development of its proposed water plan, the Texas Water Development Board is responsible for determining the validity of the claim. If a conflict does exist, the board is to coordinate mediation between the two water region groups.
Water Region D asserted an interregional conflict with Region C in April over the inclusion of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir project in Region C’s water plan.
Before hearing public comment, background information was given by Brian McMath, executive administrator of the TWDB, along with Assistant General Counsel Kendal Kowal. Both stated that the effort to resolve the conflict would be a wise use of state resources.
“I believe this situation could benefit greatly from an opportunity for facilitated mediation between Region C and Region D planning group representatives,” said McMath.
“I would recommend that facilitated mediation between up to four designated region representatives per region to be designated by July 14,” he added.
Both water planning Region D’s and Region C’s chairs also had a chance to share with the board before moving on to public comments.
After public comments were heard, the board unanimously declared that an interregional water conflict does exist and recommended that both regional water planning districts “enter into mediation to resolve the conflict in good faith.”
Legislation was introduced during the 89th Legislative Session to stop the project, but it died before reaching a floor vote in the Texas House.
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