Press Release
PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON PLAN TO PROTECT JOE POOL LAKE
(ARLINGTON, TX) – The Trinity River Authority, cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian and Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Partnership need the public’s help in approving a plan to help protect Joe Pool Lake’s water quality. Public comments for the draft Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Plan will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2022. Written comments may be submitted, between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., or mailed to the Trinity River Authority office at 5300 South Collins, Arlington 76018. Comments may also be transmitted by email or mailed to Heather Firn, watershed scientist, at the Arlington office.
Water from Joe Pool Lake is utilized by over forty thousand people in the City of Midlothian and the communities of Venus, Rockett, Mountain Peak, Sardis, and parts of southern Grand Prairie. In 2014, segments of Mountain Creek had concerns for nitrate and Walnut Creek did not meet state water quality standards for bacteria. Both waterbodies have since been delisted. A watershed protection plan was recommended by area partners to restore water quality in Mountain Creek and Walnut Creek, and in turn protect Joe Pool Lake’s water quality and maintain it for recreational and water supply use.
A draft copy of the watershed protection plan can be viewed online at: https://www.trinityra.org/basin_planning/joe_pool_lake_wpp/index.php. Residents who would like to view a hardcopy may do so at the Arlington office on Jan. 11, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firn will be available to assist with questions or comments.
CONTACT Heather Firn, Watershed Scientist III 817-467-4343 firnha@trinityra.org
“While Joe Pool Lake currently meets federal and state water quality standards, adding the public’s input to help finalize the draft plan is important toward maintaining Joe Pool Lake’s integrity as a valuable resource,” stated Firn. “Members of the Partnership have worked diligently to ensure the draft plan represents a wide range of viewpoints and that it addresses water quality issues at the local level,” Firn added.
After the draft plan is finalized, the Partnership, in conjunction with TRA and the cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian, will begin implementing the plan. Implementation measures are voluntary and include technical and financial assistance programs for local stakeholders. Plans to provide additional environmental education programming for homeowners, local governments, and business professionals will also be developed.
Funding for the planning phase of this effort was provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through a Clean Water Act § 319(h) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with matching funding from TRA and the cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian. Securing further funding for implementation initiatives will require commitments from local partners to meet grant requirements and ensure the plan’s continued success and long-term water quality protection benefits.
View Joe Pool Lake Draft WPP
(ARLINGTON, TX) – The Trinity River Authority, cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian and Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Partnership need the public’s help in approving a plan to help protect Joe Pool Lake’s water quality. Public comments for the draft Joe Pool Lake Watershed Protection Plan will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2022. Written comments may be submitted, between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., or mailed to the Trinity River Authority office at 5300 South Collins, Arlington 76018. Comments may also be transmitted by email or mailed to Heather Firn, watershed scientist, at the Arlington office.
Water from Joe Pool Lake is utilized by over forty thousand people in the City of Midlothian and the communities of Venus, Rockett, Mountain Peak, Sardis, and parts of southern Grand Prairie. In 2014, segments of Mountain Creek had concerns for nitrate and Walnut Creek did not meet state water quality standards for bacteria. Both waterbodies have since been delisted. A watershed protection plan was recommended by area partners to restore water quality in Mountain Creek and Walnut Creek, and in turn protect Joe Pool Lake’s water quality and maintain it for recreational and water supply use.
A draft copy of the watershed protection plan can be viewed online at: https://www.trinityra.org/basin_planning/joe_pool_lake_wpp/index.php. Residents who would like to view a hardcopy may do so at the Arlington office on Jan. 11, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firn will be available to assist with questions or comments.
CONTACT Heather Firn, Watershed Scientist III 817-467-4343 firnha@trinityra.org
“While Joe Pool Lake currently meets federal and state water quality standards, adding the public’s input to help finalize the draft plan is important toward maintaining Joe Pool Lake’s integrity as a valuable resource,” stated Firn. “Members of the Partnership have worked diligently to ensure the draft plan represents a wide range of viewpoints and that it addresses water quality issues at the local level,” Firn added.
After the draft plan is finalized, the Partnership, in conjunction with TRA and the cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian, will begin implementing the plan. Implementation measures are voluntary and include technical and financial assistance programs for local stakeholders. Plans to provide additional environmental education programming for homeowners, local governments, and business professionals will also be developed.
Funding for the planning phase of this effort was provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through a Clean Water Act § 319(h) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with matching funding from TRA and the cities of Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Midlothian. Securing further funding for implementation initiatives will require commitments from local partners to meet grant requirements and ensure the plan’s continued success and long-term water quality protection benefits.
View Joe Pool Lake Draft WPP