East Texans push back against reservoir that threatens homes

CAMP COUNTY — On Wednesday, East Texans voiced their frustrations in a packed meeting all against a proposed reservoir that would force them out of their homes. According to our news partner KETK, the Marvin Nichols Reservoir project would flood at least 66,000 acres of land in the Region “D” area. The project is spearheaded by Region “C” within the Texas Water Development Board. Region “C” is the DFW area and Region “D” encompasses Red River, Lamar, Delta and Titus counties. The reservoir has been in the works for decades to pump water from East Texas to the DFW area. Generations of East Texans say they are fed up fighting for their properties since the 1960s.

Dozens of residents are opposed to the project that would flood land where their homes, businesses and schools currently exist. “We just don’t want the lake. We want it to go away and never be heard of again,” Red River County resident David Stewart said.

Courtesy of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir project

“I don’t even know the words to say how bad that is. That someone can take everything you work for your whole life and take it away from me,” Stanley Jessee, a Red River County resident said.

Jessee said he and his family have pushed against the project for decades in his small town in Red River County.

“It’s actually holding us hostage from making plans and doing future things because you don’t know what’s gonna happen in the future, but we’ve been fighting hard for 20 years and we’re going to continue to fight it because it’s just not right,” Jessee said.

A dam would be built on the Sulphur River and pump more water from East Texas into the expanding DFW area.

The Regional Water Planning Group “C” said that the DFW area is growing at a rapid rate and the population is expected to double by 2080. They add that they are actively looking for other avenues to get more water into the metroplex, that does not have to be the reservoir.

“I recognize the need for the water. I just contend that there are other sources that can be used to provide that water before we come out and take land that has been in families for four or five generations,” District 1 Texas House Representative Gary VanDeaver said.

If property owners choose not to sell their land through imminent domain, many families in this area will be forced to leave.

“I’ve never been comfortable with imminent domain. I’ve never like that and there may be some cases, you know, in other areas where that becomes necessary, but it’s something that I believe ought to be a very last resort,” District 5 Texas House Representative Cole Hefner said.

People also argue the reservoir would significantly damage the timber and agriculture industries which would be disastrous for the local economy. Residents did make it known that they will continue to push back for their land and future generations.

“We’re not going to put up with this. We’re tired of it. We’re going to fight and we’re going to continue to fight this. We don’t want to sell our land by the hands not for sale,” Jessee said.

Officials with the Texas Water Development board said they are still in the planning phase and hope to have a draft by October 2025. The groundwork to receive the necessary permits could take another 5-30 years.