July 29, 2025

East Texas Chicken Farms Fight Water Rights Decision

News Summary

Numerous chicken farms in East Texas, including Sanderson Farms, have banded together to sue the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District over water rights. The lawsuit arises from permits granted to Redwater Ranch and Pine Bliss LLC to extract over 15 billion gallons of water annually from local aquifers, raising concerns among farmers about the sustainability of their water supplies. Farmers seek to halt drilling and question the integrity of the approval process amid allegations of conflicts of interest among board members.

Texas – Several chicken farms in East Texas, including Sanderson Farms, have initiated a legal battle against the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District following the approval of water drilling permits that could allow billions of gallons of water extraction from local aquifers. This lawsuit is a community response to the district’s controversial decision to transfer drilling permits to Redwater Ranch and Pine Bliss LLC, entities that plan to extract substantial water resources for use in the Dallas metroplex.

Nine farms have united in this lawsuit, seeking to invalidate the district’s permit approval and requesting a temporary injunction to halt any further activities related to drilling permits. Their primary concern revolves around preserving local water resources, which they believe are vital for their farming operations and future sustainability.

The two companies involved, Redwater Ranch Holding LLC and Pine Bliss LLC, aim to drill 43 wells that could potentially yield over 15 billion gallons of water annually. The water extracted is intended for commercial sale, raising significant alarm among local farmers who fear that such large-scale water extraction will threaten their livelihoods.

Following a public meeting held on June 19, where local residents, business operators, and officials expressed unanimous opposition to the permit transfer, the groundwater district’s board nevertheless proceeded with its approval, forwarding the application to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Legal representatives for the farms argue that the decision was marred by conflicts of interest, particularly concerning several board members with ties to the drilling project.

One notable figure in this controversy is Kyle Bass, a hedge fund manager accused of influencing the board’s decision-making processes. Assertions have been made about his financial relationship with board member David Foster, who resigned amid intense public scrutiny over perceived conflicts of interest relating to his involvement in drilling high-capacity wells. Additionally, another board member, Sean Conner, is facing challenges regarding his actions and eligibility due to his dual role as a city councilmember, with allegations of misconduct during the permit approval process further complicating matters.

The farms’ legal action seeks to initiate a complete restart of the permit process, including the removal of Conner from the board based on the potential conflicts inherent in his positions. Concerns have been rampant about the groundwater conservation district’s foundational purpose, which is to manage and protect groundwater resources from overexploitation.

This legal effort emerges amidst broader fears regarding water sustainability for local residents. The approval of high-capacity well permits could exacerbate the strain on finite water resources in Texas, a state where the rule of capture law permits landowners to extract unlimited water from their properties. Such legality raises questions about its implications for future water conservation, especially in light of growing population demands in regional urban centers.

The issue has not escaped legislative attention, with hearings already addressing the implications of these groundwater extraction practices. The community’s resistance speaks to a larger narrative about resource management in Texas, where discussions continue around the need for stricter regulations to safeguard water resources, particularly in areas facing threats to water availability.

As the lawsuit proceeds, the East Texas chicken farms are advocating for legal measures to ensure that water rights are carefully regulated and that local farmers have adequate resources to sustain their agricultural productivity.

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Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN

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