Many show up to voice concerns about selling water from Toledo Bend

Cypress Bend, LA (KPLC) - People flocked to attend the long-awaited board meeting for the discussion of selling water from Toledo Bend to Texas today at Cypress Bend Resort, with many standing in the back to listen in.

Many residents fear a drought could spell double disaster if Louisiana makes a promise to sell water out of state.

The discussion of a large water sale has been brought up and opposed in the past, but it is now gaining traction again because of the need to maintain and improve reservoir equipment for Toledo Bend.

Warren Founds, the executive director of Louisiana’s Sabine River Authority (SRA), delved into technical and historical data he said shows there is plenty of water to sell and that it would bring in millions of dollars that could fund many needs and improvements into the future.

However, the residents near the area with camps have many concerns. Residents are skeptical, and some said more state elected officials should have been at the meeting.

“We need some answers on this. I don’t know why all of a sudden, we need to sell our water because have droughts here as everyone knows. And when it’s down to 168 or 167 and a half these people here are dry-docked,” said Danny Eubanks.

Even those in favor of the water sales expressed concerns about what would happen in a drought and said there must be a way to control or stop water from being sold if a problem were to arise.

Some say they are opposed unless there is a way to turn the spigot off if needed, and that Louisiana must retain control of the water that is usually so abundant.

Though the SRA has issued a letter of intent to negotiate a water delivery and sales agreement, the contract is still being developed. Residents want to make sure they go over it with a fine-toothed comb before anything is final.

Any agreement to sell water out of state would require approvals from a number of entities and the governor.

No word on when another meeting on water sales may be held.

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