Rep. Harris reacts to groundwater lawsuit

TYLER – State Rep. Cody Harris of Palestine shared his views Thursday on a federal lawsuit against a local groundwater conservation district that could affect the water supply for East Texans.
On Tuesday, Redtown Ranch Holding and Pine Bliss filed a federal lawsuit against the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District for their alleged ” deliberate scheme” to stop the company from drilling.

“The idea that he is having his water taken from him is just ridiculous. He’s going to get access to his water that’s underneath the land, but it’s going to be subject to whatever the new rules that the GCD’s adopt, just like everybody else in the district,” State Rep. Cody Harris of Palestine.

According to our news partner KETK, the board’s chairman, Terry Morrow, said in a statement, ” We are here to protect the groundwater we have in the district, and we will do what we can under the law to protect it,” said the board chairman of the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District.

Harris said he believes the company’s ultimate goal with this lawsuit is to drive the conservation district into bankruptcy. He adds people can help in this fight by donating to the district.

“To put my money where my mouth is today, I’m going to write a check of $25,000 and donate it directly to the Neches and Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District to help in this fight,” Harris said.

Although East Texans may feel small stepping into battle with Goliath, Harris believes if everyone can come together, the Pineywoods will come out on top.

“Literally, it is going to take all of us engaging and digging deep and locking our arms together to make sure that we can outlast him on that,” Harris said.