The controversial Marvin Nichols reservoir is a step closer to fruition, thanks to Lexas lawmakers. In past weeks the "proposed reservoir site" was taken out of Senate Bill 3. But this week, the House but it back in and the new version has been approved. What does all this mean? It means the timber industry in our area could one day be no more. "We want Dallas to have their water, but their are other resources to get it from," says John Meador, USW Local 1149 President. The name "Marvin Nichols" doesn't sit easy with workers in the East Teaxs' timber industry. The proposed reservoir site could be constructed on the Sulphur River's main stem. It would supply water to Regions C and D of the North Texas Municipal Water District, or the Dallas metro. This week, Texas lawmakers passed a version of Senate Bill 3 before they adjorned and put Marvin Nichols back on a list of designated unique sites. With it back on the list, some timber farmers are in limbo about the future. Just like Nancy Clements. "It scares me. My heart flip flops. I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if I should invest. Everything is in the air." Up to a million acres of forest could be taken out of production because of mitigation, which means less wood fiber and less work for more than 80,000 people in the industry. Clements has a tree farm in Douglasville. She has been to Austin twice to fight for her rights as a private property owner. "I will lose everything, I will not be fairly compensated so far as I can tell. One map showed I would lose my timber and my home." Opponents think an alternative source of water could be used but lawmakers have now made it possible to see Marvin Nichols through. "Paper mills are shutting down left and right. This would put an additional strain that we can't afford," says Kevin Driscoll, International Paper Mill Manager. Now begins the waiting game to see if the unique site is chosen. Clements says she deals with battles everyday being a widow and mother of a Marine now serving our country, so she's not giving her land up that easy. "East Texas has the water Dallas wants. They'll get it in the end. I just hope it is not on my watch." Officials overseeing the unique sites must figure out what they are going to do. They have been given a seven year deadline to meet permit requirements. The debate over Marvin Nichols has been going on since 1998.
