Cultural Aspects of Region D

1. Cultural Aspects of Region D

2. Basis of Water Supply • Region D is placed between the Pine forests and Louisiana and Arkansas to the large Metroplex of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This region is vital to the survival of the 18 counties inside the region, and especially the densely populated neighboring Dallas-Fort Worth region. • This region is containing parts of six major river basins, over thirty water reservoirs and lakes, apart from being located on top of two large underground aquifers as well. • Region D accumulates 45 to 55 inches of rain a year. North East Texas contains areas of three water planning regions . The Texas Water Development Board (or TWDB) designed them. The region includes a large portion of Region D. • Under law of the state, water planners must estimate water supply and use over a 50-year period; the current planning cycle covers the years 2010 through 2060. Based on data from 2000, these planners project that annual water use in the Upper East Texas region will increase by 66.8 percent to 988,834 acre-feet in 2060. (According to http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/uppereast/infrastructure.html)

3. Pressure and Impact on Region Since region D is expecting a 72% population increase by the year 2060, there is a lot of water management that needs to take place. The region uses 487,815 acre feet of water, and that is projected to double in the next 50 years. The Marvin Nicholas reservoir is wanted to be built by some in region D to alleviate the constant demands for drinking water. Some are against the idea because the construction of this reservoir will flood many of the region’s trees and forests. This poses a major problem for the neighboring Dallas-fort worth area who is dependent on Region D for most of their water usage as well. This plan hasn’t gone into effect yet because it is only recommended by the region C water plan.

4. Water Conservation Efforts • It is stated that the water conservation efforts need to include ways to incorporate a drought plan in times of little water, as only choice few have them currently. • It is also stated that a general census needs to be executed to gather how much municipal water there is available and where it should be dispersed to maximize the efficiency for Texas.

5. Who organizes the water region? • As executive administrator J. Kevin ward has served on the Texas Water Development Board for over 22 years. He has worked through the years with regards to state funding , development, and the conservation task force. There are frequent regional meetings that are open to those who want to have a say in the future of water conservation and planning. It is highly encouraged for the citizens to get involved.

6. Plans for the Future • The Regional Water Plan submitted on January 6, 2006 has developed an extensive plan for the future of Water conservation and predictions for the water needs in the future. They intend to give the push for public knowledge to spread over the issue of water scarcity and what people can do to lessen the burden. They are aiming at increasing the group efforts and meetings over the water planning issues and getting more feedback from the public. They encourage the public to give their comments and concerns so that the voice of the people is heard. This open policy of communication allows a direct and efficient way of beginning the necessary steps towards solving the scarcity issue.

7. Credits • http://www.texaswatermatters.org/region_d.htm • http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/wrpi/rwp/rwp.htm • http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:DlnQKI-qlwAJ:www.twdb.state.tx.us/rwpg/2006_RWP/RegionD/Exec.%2520Summary%2520Final%2520-%2520Region%2520D.pdf+texas+region+D+future+plans&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us