PROTECT TOLEDO BEND:  Say NO to Selling Our Water

What’s Happening?

The Sabine River Authority (SRA) is considering a controversial proposal to sell water from Toledo Bend Reservoir — a vital natural resource shared by Louisiana and Texas — to a private company for resale to Texas municipalities and industries.

Why Residents Are Opposed

Residents across the region are voicing strong opposition based on both principle and precedent:

• Toledo Bend is our water. It’s part of Louisiana’s natural heritage, supporting fishing, recreation, and the local economy. Selling it for profit threatens long-term sustainability and community control.

• We’ve seen the damage before. The proposed deal echoes similar water sales — such as from Choke Canyon Reservoir in Texas — that resulted in reduced lake levels, environmental degradation, economic decline, and recreational loss.

• Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Water sales are often long-term, hard to reverse, and benefit private interests over public good.

Key Concerns Raised by the Community

• Lack of transparency in the SRA’s decision-making process

• Environmental risks to wildlife, wetlands, and fisheries

• Negative economic impact on tourism, property values, and local businesses

• Insufficient safeguards to guarantee water levels for Louisiana residents

• Fear of a precedent that opens the door to more water exports

What We’re Fighting For

We believe Toledo Bend should remain a public resource, protected for future generations. The lake is not a commodity — it’s a lifeline for our region’s identity, ecology, and economy.