New Texas legislation could stop Marvin Nichols Reservoir

CUTHAND, Texas – New legislation aims to bring an end to the controversial Marvin Nichols Reservoir project.

State Rep. Gary Vandeaver recently introduced House Bill 2109 to the Committee on Natural Resources. The bill would require the removal of any proposed reservoir project from the state water plan, if construction has not begun within 50 years.

Delene Tabb, 93, has six generations of family living on 205 acres in Cuthand. If the Marvin Nichols Reservoir was built on 66,000 acres of land in Red River, Titus and Franklin counties, her entire community would be gone forever.

“It was the worst thing that was ever, ever brought up,” said Tabb.

While gathering with her neighbors for a fish fry fundraiser to benefit the local fire department, Tabb said she’ll battle the reservoir plan for as long as she can.

“If I’m still living when they take my place, they’ll have to take me out of my house flat on my back, screaming and hollering, because I refuse to go,” said Tabb.

Tabb’s granddaughter, Susan Conway, recently testified in support of House Bill 2109.

“It will give us our lives back, where we can do our cattle ranching, live my life, and plan for the future. It won’t be a burden for my children and grandchildren to fight this,” said Conway.

The Marvin Nichols reservoir was first proposed 57 years ago as a future water supply for the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Conway’s husband, Casey, calls the project the biggest land grab in Texas history.

“I don’t wish a lack of water on anybody, but DFW needs to stop. It’s not our problem,” said Conway.

Conway also testified on the impact the proposed reservoir would have on east Texas ranchers and farmers.

“Our food supply is in way worse jeopardy than the water supply ever thought about being,” said Conway.

“If this lake comes in, we’ll lose probably 750 acres. It will take where I live all together. I won’t have a house, barns or nothing anymore,” said Dylan Rollins, a Cuthand, Texas resident

Rollins says not only would it shutter his family business, but the reservoir would be devastating for the state cattle market.

Gary Cheatwood has been fighting for years to keep the land his family has owned for generations.

“You’re talking about mitigation of lake land of 200,000 to 400,000 acres and no one knows for sure what amount that will be,” said Cheatwood.

Some residents say the proposed reservoir would not only wipe out communities but also have a major environmental impact.

“The reservoir will be built over the Mexia-Talco fault line,” said Cebron O’Bier, a Red River County, Texas resident.

O’Bier says pressure from the water on the fault line would make the dam unstable.

“It’s going to displace several farmers and ranchers, not to mention family burial plots because there’s no regulation that says you have to exhume and move cemeteries or graves,” said O’Bier.

Region C Chairman Dan Buhman told the Committee on Natural Resources other options for building a water supply, including infrastructure upgrades, new technology, conservation and reuse, have been considered. But he believes reservoirs still must be an option.

“They’re significantly cost effective and reliable way to supply the needs of our customers,” said Buhman.

While Conway says she’s often felt like their concerns have fallen on deaf ears, she says the new legislation has given her new hope for a future in Red River County.

“This is my family; this is my home. My home is everything, and I’m going to fight to keep it,” said Conway.

The next step for the bill is the full House and Senate. If it passes, the legislation could become law on Sept. 1.