Mayor of Uncertain urges Harrison County to oppose sale of Lake of the Pines water; coalition cites risks

The Harrison County Commissioners Court on its agenda considered a resolution concerning a possible sale or lease of water from Lake of the Pines by the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District (NETMWD) and heard extended public comment urging the county to oppose any sale.

Mayor Patterson of Uncertain and other speakers described scientific and legal concerns about how a sale could affect the Lake of the Pines, Big Cypress River and Caddo Lake. The mayor told the court the lake "holds 150,000 acre feet of water or a little less" depending on seasonal conditions and said local annual use is about "50,000 acre feet," warning that a proposed sale of "100,000 acre feet" outside the district could leave little or no water in drought conditions.

Why it matters: Speakers and local coalitions argued that many Harrison County residents depend on water originating in the Lake of the Pines basin and that large transfers could reduce local supply, raise treatment or pumping costs and harm ecosystems.

Speakers described a multi-jurisdictional coalition including the City of Uncertain, the Greater Caddo Lake Association (Texas and Louisiana), several chambers of commerce and the Caddo Lake Institute. The mayor said some of the NETMWD board meetings and materials are covered by nondisclosure agreements that have limited public information and that a number of cities and counties had already passed or were preparing resolutions opposing the sale.

Court exchanges focused on what the proposed NETMWD transaction would entail, who controls water rights and what votes are needed on the NETMWD board. Commissioners asked about which cities support or oppose the proposal and whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or other entities control the lake pool level.

What the transcript shows (and doesn't): The court placed the resolution on the agenda and heard lengthy testimony and questions; the provided transcript excerpt contains extensive public comment and discussion but does not include a definitive record of a county vote on the NETMWD resolution (no vote tally recorded in the excerpt).

Representative quotes: "If we if the area used 50,000 and a 100,000 acre feet is sold, that's that is equal to 0. There's none left for anyone, anywhere in the whole area," Mayor Patterson said. "We do form a coalition... we say no sale."

Next steps: Speakers urged residents to contact city offices and to press NETMWD representatives; the mayor also said she would continue outreach to affected cities and that county staff might send a notice to residents about the issue.