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Timeline Extended for Marvin Nichols Reservoir in Northeast Texas as Eminent Domain Questions Remain
The proposed 66,000-acre Marvin Nichols reservoir in Northeast Texas designed to supply water to the Dallas-Fort Worth region, reached a turning point earlier this fall. After months of dispute between the North Texas water planners who want the project to move forward and the rural communities who live on the land, the Texas Water Development Board announced a mediation agreement that pushes the project’s proposed completion back by about 20 years, from 2050 to 2070. The agreement also calls for a new independent study to re-evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the project.
Canyon Lake Reservoir in Central Texas, courtesy of Adobe Stock
For decades, landowners, local workers and conservationists in the Sulphur River basin have resisted the project, warning that it could cause flood risk to nearby farms, forests and residential areas. By delaying the project timeline, the state effectively reduces the immediate need to acquire land, meaning there is no imminent threat of eminent domain, which is the process where private land can be condemned for public use.
However, because the project remains in the State Water Plan, affected property owners live under continued uncertainty, and their land could still be targeted if the project eventually moves forward near 2070. The Marvin Nichols debate and its implications for property rights will continue to shape how Texas balances urban demand with rural preservation well into the future.
The eminent domain law firm of Barron, Adler, Clough & Oddo, PLLC has been helping property owners in the Dallas area for more than 40 years with eminent domain, inverse condemnation and regulatory taking cases. We understand the unique aspects of every case and the challenges impacted property owners are up against. If you have questions about the Marvin Nichols reservoir project, contact a Barron Adler lawyer so we can help you understand your rights and discuss the future of your property.
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