Permit Again Sought for Proposed $387M East Texas Reservoir

JACKSONVILLE (AP) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reinstated a request for a federal permit to build an East Texas reservoir that’s been in the works for nearly 40 years. The Lufkin News reported Wednesday that the proposal involves the Lake Columbia regional water supply reservoir project. The Corps in April withdrew the permit application for the proposed $387 million project. Corps officials cited relative inactivity since 2013 on the project managed by the Lufkin-based Angelina and Neches River Authority. Jody Anderson, who’s president of the authority board, says the application was recently reinstated as ANRA officials renewed efforts to gain support for Lake Columbia – proposed for the Mud Creek flood plain. A dam could be built near Jacksonville. ANRA since 1978 has planned what’s dubbed Mud Creek Reservoir.