Daniel Jones, editor
Numerous local residents packed the grand ballroom at Cypress Bend Resort for the monthly Sabine River Authority of Louisiana board meeting on Thursday, July 24 to voice their opposition to Toledo Bend water sales to Texas, despite such a measure not being on the meeting’s agenda.
“There’s nothing on the agenda about entering into a contract for water sales,” said chairman Ned Goodeaux.
He pointed out that confusion was created by a Facebook page. The only thing they were doing that day is assigning a chairman of the Water and Power Sales committee.
“The committee will convene, elect a chairman, and then adjourn,” he continued.
The Water and Power Sales Committee is a continuation of the previous Water Sales Committee, which was deleted when bylaws were changed in 2022. Anything regarding water sales will be taken up under the newly- formed committee. Although nothing is set in stone yet as regards to future meetings, they could discuss whether or not to try and move discussion forward with Aqueduct Partners or simply forget about it altogether.
Due to the confusion started by the Facebook page, the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) released information regarding the numerous legalities that must be overcome before water sales can take place.
“Contrary to recent claims, Act 458, passed during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, does not grant the DENR Secretary or any governmental agency or board unilateral authority to approve water sales out of state,” their release states. “The law does not weaken or eliminate any of the multiple safeguards or approval steps required by law.”
Under current law, any proposal to sell surface water from Toledo Bend out of state must be approved by: --The Board of the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana (SRA-LA); --Two-thirds of the parish governing authorities within the SRA-LA’s jurisdiction (six parishes); --The Governor of Louisiana;
--The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment; and --The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), if the volume exceeds one million gallons per day.
Also, the state constitution requires that any sale of surface water must result in compensation of equal or greater value to the state, including potential economic and tax benefits alongside any direct payment.
The DENR also provided further clarification on inaccuracies:
--Act 458 does not change the law governing out-of-state water sales. It simply moves some of the authority of the now-eliminated Water Resources Commission under the purview of the newly formed Natural Resources Commission.
--No statutory requirements were removed— including the requirement for local parish approval and legislative oversight.
--The statute cited in some messages (R.S. 30:128(B)) has no relevance to water sales. It pertains strictly to the transfer of mineral rights and leases for stateowned lands and water bottoms.
Despite this information, numerous locals voiced opposition again to any future water sales.
The first speaker, Chris Evell, had some of the more interesting and structured comments regarding the state of agriculture in Texas and the Ogallala Aquifer, which is being depleted at a rate much faster than it can be replenished through natural means. Cattle being raised using the waters of the aquifer is a $30 Billion per year industry, which will have to be moved once depletion occurs.
“Without that water the operations will cease to exist,” he said. “Agriculture will have to shift somewhere else as water becomes more valuable. Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have to deal with this if we don’t.”
Mike Holt, who spoke next, talked more about cattle in saying that he raises them and they require water, which is worth more than gas and oil.
“We need answers that make sense,” he said. “Studies have been done and the environmental impact is not good.”
He further states that the 168’ lake level is there for a reason and shouldn’t be infringed upon by any potential water sales.
“This is ours and your water,” Holt said. “We must have stopping points.”
John Fontenot made an argument that draining the lake kills businesses, especially considering that Toledo Bend has been one of the top lakes in the United States for years now.
Following public comments, Gary Moore was nominated and chosen as the chairman of the Water and Power Sales Committee.
The meeting was adjourned not long after following committee reports and some time spent in executive session.