Bois d’Arc Lake, the first major reservoir to be built in Texas in nearly 30 years, is providing North Texas professionals with the opportunity to work on one of the largest environmental restoration projects in the country.
The North Texas Municipal Water District and its contractors are restoring approximately 17,000 acres of native Texas habitat including trees, grasslands, streams and wetlands. Professionals from Fannin County and throughout North Texas have been hired to assist with the efforts. Over the past two years, the project has engaged over 20 local team members in full-time employment or significant, multi-year contract roles. As the project contractor, RES (Resource Environmental Solutions) has hired local professionals and tradespeople for roles ranging from general ecological planning and project management to the construction and restoration of streams, wetland ponds and berms, roads, fencing and tree plantings.
“This work is providing steady jobs at a critical time and ensuring that the construction of this important lake is a net positive for the environment,” said Rodney Rhoades, NTMWD Interim Executive Director. “It is just part of the economic benefit that the Bois d’Arc Lake project is providing the surrounding area.”
“It’s a win/win to have great local talent working on the project,” agrees Matt Stahman, Project Manager and Regulatory Director for RES. “They bring local knowledge of the land, the soils and the hydrology in Fannin County.”
“And at the same time, these workers are gaining unique experience on one of the largest restoration projects in the country,” Daniel Kampfer, RES Project Superintendent adds. ”Each one of them is now uniquely qualified to work on future ecological restoration projects over the course of their careers.”
The field of ecological restoration is becoming established in Texas and forecasted to continue growing, especially with the explosive growth in the region and the critical infrastructure required to support local needs. Ecological restoration projects vary in scope and scale, including mitigation for reservoirs and roads as well as nature-based infrastructure for flood resiliency and stormwater projects throughout the region’s neighborhoods and cities. North Texas Municipal Water District’s work on the Bois d’Arc Lake project has positioned Fannin County as a leader in this emerging industry.
Fannin County-based team members have recently participated in a feature video describing their experience.
