Wastes Tax Dollars and Natural Resources!
The Water Plan for greater Dallas/Fort Worth/North Texas (known as "Region C") recommends harmful and expensive development projects like the Marvin Nichols dam 170 miles away on the Sulphur River and ignores cost-effective solutions such as water conservation and better use of exisiting supplies of water. The plan calls for spending BILLIONS of dollars on unnecessary projects at the expence of commonsense conservation measures that would protect private property and Metroplex pocketbooks, and conserve natural resources.
Demand that Region C revise their plan to eliminate unnecessary reservoir projects and focus on meeting reasonable water needs through more efficient management of existing water resources:
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REDUCE WATER DEMANDS THROUGH MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION INCENTIVES AND PRACTICES - This is much less expensive than building new dams and pipelines. If Metroplex cities decreased water use by 22%, which would still leave per person use above ALL other major Texas cities, they still could grow as projected and there would be NO NEED for new reservoir construction [San Antonio lowered their per capita water use rate 30% in 13 years, while Region C projects an increase in use, currently 264 gal/person/day in Dallas!] (see graphs on back)USE THE WATER SUPPLIES THAT ARE ALREADY DEVELOPED TO THEIR FULLEST EXTENT - The Dallas/Fort Worth/North Texas area has 126 billion gallons of unused supply in reservoirs, Using these supplies efficiently is a logical water management solution. Additionally, Lake Texoma could provide a tremendous quantitiy of water to meet future demands. The Region C Plan should seriously evaluate this option and make the best use of existing supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: The Region C Water Planning Group is made up of 23 Metroplex residents representing various "stakeholders," including the public and environmental interests. The Planning Group meets on a regular basis to work on the water plan—public comment is sought at each meeting.Speak out
at Region C water planning meetings and demand that the planning group use conservation to meet future demands. The next Region C meeting is October 21 At the Trinity River Authority’s (TRA) Central Wastewater Treatment Plant (6500 W Singleton Blvd, Dallas TX, 75212). TRA contact is Lee Shaffer - 972-331-4310 (visit www.twdb.state.tx.us and click on "regional water planning groups information" for future Region C meeting locations and dates)Send a letter or email to Terrace Stewart, Chair Region C, North Texas Municipal Water District, P.O. Box 2408, Wylie, TX 75098-2408; or email: virginia.towles@twdb.state.tx.us
For more information, see www.texaswatermatters.org
Water Plan Out of Sync With North Texas AttitudesØ
By a 2 to 1 margin, Metroplex voters PREFERRED adopting water conservation measures over building new dams and pipelines if future water supply could be met by conservationØ
93% of Metroplex voters believe that as Texas plans for water needs it is important to provide adequate protection for rivers, bays, and wildlifeØ
93% of Metroplex voters believe that to qualify for state funding, a water supply project should have to demonstrate that it is cost-effectiveØ
80% of Metroplex registered voters would be willing to REDUCE their household water use to prevent a higher fee to pay for the construction of the Marvin Nichols dam. Other Region C Plan Shortcomings:Doesn’t Curtail Water Use in Times of Drought
The plan offers no realistic strategy for reducing water demand during a drought. Instead it assumes that peak human demands, like lawn watering, must be met during the WORST drought, even if no water is left for fish and wildlife.
Threatens Wildlife & Habitat
The Marvin Nichols dam and reservoir alone would flood 30,000 acres of rare bottomland hardwood forest (which provides vital habitat for wildlife and helps protect water quality) and another 42,000 acres of mixed forest, family farms, and ranches along the Sulphur River in northeast Texas.
All Citizens to Pay for Those Who Continue to Waste
All water users need incentives to conserve, including pricing structures that make necessary water affordable but excessive consumption a high-priced luxury. All citizens should not have to subsidize water use for people who don’t conserve.
Wasteful Water Use
Dallas Doesn’t Need Marvin Nichols
