NEW BOSTON, Texas - A Hot Springs-based Engineering and Environmental Consulting firm proposed an alternative to the ongoing Marvin Nichols Reservoir controversy at Monday's Bowie County Commissioners Court meeting.
Timothy Hill, a hydrogeologist with Atoka, Inc. told officials that a large aquifer in the Ouachita Mountains ranges that straddles across the Arkansas-Oklahoma border in the northern part of both states could be the answer to what Dallas is looking for to supply future water needs.
During his presentation, Hill showed photo slides of water steams throughout the area.
"This area has the potential to produce high yields of quality water supply," he said. "This is a good location for natural water and it also experiences significant rainfall from year to year. The water flows through rock concentrations and collects in fractured zones that hold high capacities of this water. This water supply is also quite sustainable because of 40 to 50 inches of rainfall - some times up to 100 inches per year."
Hill added that he wasn't there advocate, but just to point out a possible alternative to Marvin Nichols. He also said that most of the property is presently owned by both the federal government and farmers.
Following his presentation, Hill took a few questions after which Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell thanked him for the information, but Howell added that Bowie County wouldn't have the final decision when it comes to future water supplies. Instead, Howell referred Hill to the Texas State Regional Water Districts C and D, which is currently discussing water supply issues.
In other business, commissioners agreed to table action on bids submitted by at least five businesses seeking to sell the county assorted road materials for all four of the road precincts. The court agreed to studying the bids, and take possible action on them at next month's Commissions Court meeting. The Court did, however, agree to accept Demarce Lane in Precinct 1 as a county road, as well as advertise for bids on a new truck for Precinct 1.
Commissioners also reappointed Leary Mayor Randy Mansfield and Bowie County resident Kenny Turner to the county's Emergency Service District 4 Board of Commissioners. Both men will serve an additional two years.
Commissioners further approved a statement of support for individual Second Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.
Bowie County Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike Carter said that by approving this resolution regarding the Second Amendment, the county joins at least 65 other Texas counties that have already approved the same measure.