Re: “Keep Marvin Nichols Reservoir in North Texas’ Water Plan,” Sunday Editorials.
The editorial defends the current plan to take about 30,000 acres in East Texas by eminent domain in order to meet the increasing water demands of North Texas via the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. Before choosing that option, each of us should consider the personal impact of the land grab.
This is land that’s home to thousands of people who have spent their lives building successful farms and ranches, businesses, neighborhoods and towns. The losses would include their parents’ graves and historic indigenous sites. Also lost would be a rare bottomland hardwood forest and one of the most diverse ecosystems and habitats in the state.
Many jobs in farming, ranching and logging would be lost. The residents lose everything, while the benefits go to the cities, power companies and financial institutions. How would you feel if all that were ripped from you while you were told that you have no right to fight it? What are your rights? Where will you go? Are you able to start over? Rebuild what’s lost?
Perhaps we in North Texas should create a plan to manage and use water more wisely, including refusing water-hungry data centers. Are our rights more important than theirs?
