The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on Sept. 28 to accelerate the permitting process for the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir, a major water infrastructure project for North Texas. The measure, known as the Water Resources Development Act, directs the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a final construction permit no later than Sept. 30, 2017. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The legislation was introduced in February by U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, and is supported by co-sponsors U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, and U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Waco. The project has been in development for more than ten years, with over $122 million already allocated for construction.
Officials with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) stated that the reservoir is essential for meeting the region’s long-term water needs. The district serves 90 communities across ten counties and anticipates its population will more than double by 2070. Tom Kula, the district’s executive director, emphasized that conservation efforts alone cannot support the projected growth, noting that an additional water source must be operational by 2021 to prevent shortages.
Construction delays originated in 2008 when the district sought a Clean Water Act permit from the EPA. According to NTMWD spokesperson Janet Rummel, federal agencies requested additional environmental studies using an assessment model that was not yet fully developed. Fulfilling these requests would have delayed the project by one to two years and increased costs by an estimated $17 million. The district had originally planned to begin construction in 2015.
If the required permit is received in 2018, the expected date for delivering water from the reservoir has been pushed back to 2022. The reservoir, located in Fannin County, is described as a critical component for the region’s water supply. NTMWD officials say the new source will allow the district to maximize its existing water supplies and support one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation.
