Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on January 12, 2010 at 13:27

Kurt. IMHO, It's business. Don't waste time being offended by the offer. If you have any interest tell them you'll get back with them when you have a counter offer. That will tip them off that $500 doesn't trip your trigger and they can go talk to someone else if they think they can get access to water at that price. My bet is that they will be interested in longer term access to water for their wells. If you don't think Mr. Hamilton is the right contact, ask him for his boss's contact info. If you don't care for a long term opportunity, just tell him you aren't interested and go on your way. Just keep in mind that it's not just EOG that will need water. And every drilling unit will eventually get 6 to 8 wells at 2 - 3M gallons each.

Permalink Reply by Kurt Grussendorf on January 12, 2010 at 13:42

You are correct. It is only business. But I don't like the way he rushed into it and assumed I had already agreed. Case is closed for now. I wrote him pretty much telling him to gain access elsewhere unless he was willing to up the price and possibly discuss a longer-term contract as well. Thanks. This wraps it up for now.

Permalink Reply by weddew on January 12, 2010 at 22:49

Kurt, I know this is going to aggravate someone but you and every other landowner with waterfront access to Toledo Bend should be aware of this.

If you own land that has shoreline on Toledo Bend you should be aware of the term "leaseback". Toledo bend is Jointly owned by Louisiana and Texas. It is regulated jointly by the Sabine Rivers Authorities of both states. They own the lake ..... and they own a strip of land that is above the 172 mean sea level contour line, up to 175 feet msl or 50 feet from the 172 feet msl line, whichever is greater. We do not own lake access, we have a lease with the Sabine River Authority for water access. The leaseback is $1 for 99 years and is transferred with the sale of a property.... but a new owner must apply for the transfer. I do not believe we can lawfully sub-lease the land use to any other party.

SRA has it this way specifically so they can control access to the water, control pollution and erosion among other responsibilities. We need to remember that it is this way to preserve the lake for public use. As a landowner on the lake I want it to stay in usable condition. Also, anyone drawing water from Toledo is required to have a permit from the SRA to withdraw water.

Just one of those things you should be aware of .......

Permalink Reply by Kurt Grussendorf on January 13, 2010 at 15:47

Hi, weddew! You are absolutely correct. I had the land surveyed and know exactly where the leaseback is. There has been so much erosion it is actually a ways out in the lake. The gas company is asking to cross my land that is not part of the leaseback. They would have to negotiate water rights and leaseback crossing with the SRA. I believe you are much like me--we are less interested in gas wells and more interested in the recreational qualities of the lake. I love T-Bend! I have at any rate refused at this point access to my land in order to get to the leaseback and lake. If they did offer me a better deal I would be sure to preserve the integrity of the shoreline and I am sure the SRA would look after that too. But between the two of us, I probably won't hear from them again. They will go elsewhere. And the Logansport Hunt Club will be happy as well. I have thought of the wildlife that would be disturbed. I have lots of turtles that escaped the Asia market turtle hunts. I think they will remain safe for some time to come. I really don't think they want to pay me what I think it is worth. Thanks for your post. Kurt

Permalink Reply by weddew on January 14, 2010 at 16:02

Sounds like you have taken care of business and done your homework. I was ignorant of the subject until a few months ago. I just don't want anyone to be put in a bad spot because of a lack of knowledge.

Hope you are afforded a better opportunity in the future. Maybe you could negotiate some shoreline reclamation out of the deal? Just a thought......

wed

Permalink Reply by Janny8 on January 15, 2010 at 4:56

When we drew water from TB to use at our house we paid for a permit and paid a yearly fee. When public water came in we were required to take up our lines and shut down our pump or continue to pay. It is perfectly clear to all land owners that the SRA owns the lake and controls the water removal. So in fact you should not allow any use of (your, their) property until they show you that the SRA has approved the water removal. Sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one over on all concerned.

Permalink Reply by Kurt Grussendorf on January 15, 2010 at 13:29

Howdy, Janny. I don't know if they have a permit. They certainly need one. I just know that it is not enough money for me to allow a pipeline laid across my land to get at SRA's water. Seems to me they will need much more water as time goes on and a 2 week access agreement with me will not cut it.

Permalink Reply by Kecia Nugent on August 26, 2011 at 9:04

I'd like to know if SRA is policing the pumping of water from TB. I suspect that some landowners aren't aware that they can get paid for access or that the companies are required to have a permit. How much water is being pumped from the lake? Why are they pumping water from a lake that is already 10-12 ft below high pool? The lake level is ruining my life! LOL

Permalink Reply by dbob on August 26, 2011 at 9:26

Kecia,

yes the SRA is policing water withdrawals from Toledo Bend. Net water withdrawal by Oil gas gas companies will probably be less than 2400 acre feet this year. Toledo Bend loses 131,000 are feet per year over the summer due to evaporation, in a normal year, so oil and gas companies are not responsible for the lake levels you are seeing.

You can contact the Toledo Bend Project office if you ahve a specific question about water withdrawal.