Brandon's Blog

Thanks again for the story idea.

As I write this, I only seek to give you more information that could be helpfull, and maybe point you in the right direction to get some of the answers you're seeking.

I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT IN THIS, NOR DO I TAKE A SIDE IN THIS STORY... I'M SIMPLY HERE TO INFORM.

I mentioned in my story a conservation report that is on the district's website, that is not the "complete" picture of their plan. The link for what they are calling their "complete" plan is:

http://www.ntmwd.com/11.06NTMWD%20Conservation%20P lan%20-%20April%202006%20Update.pdf

As you click on this link you'll see that it lacks one particular word in the title... "model". The NTMWD says the model report is incomplete, and does not have one particular sentence that seems to shed more light on the reasoning behind why they are not lifting the restrictions. (During our interview, the spokeswoman for the water district had no idea that the sentence was not in their extended report, and provided me with that extended report). That sentence is on page 10-7 of the extended report:

Stage 3 may terminate when Lake Lavon rises above elevation 482.0 msl, and/or when Lake Chapman rises above elevation 430.0, and/or when the circumstances that caused the initiation of Stage 3 no longer prevail, or at the discretion of the Executive Director.

You may be saying wait, Lavon is already above that elevation, and so is Chapman. You're right. But... notice they keep saying and/or... this means that the lake levels are only part of the factor... and the last few words... the discretion of the Executive Director. THIS MEANS YOU ALL NEED TO TALK TO MR. JAMES PARKS.

The mayor of McKinney was surprised to learn of this added sentence, and found it helpfull in answering some of the questions from his citizens. He also will be directing many people to the district's executive director.

During this upcoming town hall meeting, I can only assume there will be a lot of people who are going to want some answers from the Water District. We'll be there to report on those answers and find out whether they satisfy homeowners.

Brandon