Marvin Nichols Reservoir now considered a conflict between regions

By Rachel Davis

KETK, June 26, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (KETK)- All parties involved in the controversial Marvin Nichols Reservoir proposal met in Austin Tuesday morning before the Texas Water Development Board. 

The chief engineering officer for the Tarrant Regional Water District presented three main arguments. First, stating this could set a precedent for the state to get involved. Second, stating that the water in the state of Texas belongs to everyone.

“It’s water belongs by rights to the state and by extension to all citizens of Texas,” Tarrant Regional Water District, Chief Engineering Officer, Rachel Lckert said. 

Adding the benefit that the state would see could outweigh what it would potentially lose, according to the Region C studies. 

“The studies clearly support the position that there are no substantial adverse effects,” Lckert said. “Contrary to the unsubstantiated assertion by Region D.”

Region D, which covers most of East Texas, disagrees. Their presenter said all 19 counties in the region oppose this project.

“We have also heard and read hundreds upon hundreds of public comments concerning the impacts the project would have on our residents, economy, and communities,” Chair, Region D Water Planning Group, Jim Thompson said. 

Thompson argued North Texas has other options for water, and the loss of land would be detrimental to the area’s economic agriculture and natural resources.

“It has depressed land values, it has a depressed economic development and is depressed economic freedom,” Thompson said. “That amount of angst in turn can not be overexaggerated.”

During the meeting, several East Texans spoke in support of classifying the project as a conflict.