County hears notice of temporary lay‑flat water line for Magnolia Oil & Gas; commissioners approve FM 1697 permit

Washington County staff presented a formal notice from Magnolia Oil and Gas Operating LLC on Oct. 14, 2025 regarding a temporary lay‑flat water line and asked the court to consider an associated oil‑and‑gas development permit on FM 1697.

Staff said the temporary lay‑flat line would run approximately one mile along Sandstone Road to FM 1697 to provide water for well activities (noted as primarily during fracking operations). The line was described as intended to reduce truck traffic across roadways; staff estimated the line would remain for about four months before being removed. The route crosses two driveways on the easterly side of the roadway and affects two residences in that area, per the presentation.

On the related agenda item, county staff recommended approval of the oil‑and‑gas development permit for Magnolia at a location on FM 1697 near the Sandstone Road intersection (address given as 6450 FM 1697 in the transcript). Staff told the court there would be no county road use for the project and that access issue discussions would be primarily with TxDOT;…