USACE grants permit to allow construction to begin on LBCRproject in US

Potable water provider North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) has received a 404 permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to allow construction to begin on the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir in the US.

The project intends to create water supply reservoir to provide drinking water to cities north and east of Dallas, Texas. Construction of the project and other system improvements is estimated to cost more than $1.2bn.

Construction is planned to begin this spring on the project, which is the first reservoir to be built in Texas in 30 years.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional administrator Anne Idsal said: “EPA worked extensively with partner agencies to make the vision for the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek reservoir a reality.

“This project is ready to move forward to provide drinking water for a growing North Texas population while remaining protective of the environment.”

NTMWD has drafted mitigation plans to restore and enhance the 6,000 acres of wetlands and 120 miles streams, sited close to the project area, impacted by the project.

The total mitigation efforts will provide compensation with 9,131 wetlands acres and 74.3 miles of streams.

The Lower Bois d’Arc Creek reservoir, upon completion, will supply an estimated 175,000 acre feet of drinking water per year for North Texas consumers by 2022.

With 750 employees, NTMWD provides water and waste management services to 1.7 million people of North Texas.