Fort Worth Report

Northeast Texas residents oppose the proposed $7 billion Marvin Nichols Reservoir, fearing it will flood 66,000 acres and harm local industries. Debate centers on its necessity for Dallas-Fort Worth's growth. Alternatives and conservation are advocated, while public feedback on the state's feasibility study is open until October 25, 2024.

Nearly two years after the initial proposal, the Colleyville City Council unanimously approved the Bluffs at Colleyville housing development amid resident opposition. The nine-home project, down from an initial 19, will include city-dedicated land for tree preservation, while some residents remain concerned about losing native forest areas.

As the Dallas-Fort Worth air quality improvement plan nears completion, officials aim to secure $105-$185M for transportation-focused pollution reduction through EPA grants. Initiatives include clean vehicle incentives, enhanced transit, road upgrades, and more. The grant targets the second-highest funding tier to avoid direct competition with the state of Texas.

New sidewalks and traffic signals are planned to improve access to Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Starting June 2026, the city will enhance University Drive with traffic signals, bus pads, and walking trails, addressing safety and accessibility concerns. This project, part of a larger street expansion, aims to make the garden more accessible.

State Sen. Tan Parker and environmental advocates urged Texans to support Proposition 14, a $1 billion fund for state parks, coinciding with Texas Parks and Wildlife's 100th anniversary. Constitutional amendments on the Nov. 7 ballot address taxes, infrastructure, and parks amidst historically low voter turnout.

Arlington, aided by a $150,000 U.S. Forest Service grant, tackles invasive Chinese privet in parks, focusing on Crystal Canyon. This effort, influenced by environmental advocates like the Arlington Conservation Council, aims to restore biodiversity by eradicating privet and expanding trails. Successful techniques could extend across Arlington.

Volunteers in Fort Worth, as part of the "Lights Out" campaign, survey downtown buildings to document bird deaths caused by collisions due to light pollution. The initiative, backed by the Texas Conservation Alliance, aims to reduce bird fatalities by encouraging residents to turn off outdoor lighting during migration periods.

Fort Worth lacks a climate action plan while Dallas leads in detailed planning. Fort Worth's environmental efforts focus on urban forestry and open space. The city is poised to join a regional climate action plan, but it faces criticism for not addressing climate change explicitly and lacks an environmental justice strategy.

On July 26, a judge declined to halt Arlington’s new gas well permits issuance, despite allegations from Liveable Arlington and residents that the city violated ordinances. Arlington issued permits to Total Energies. The case, challenging the city’s permitting process, is expected to proceed to appeals court.