FORT WORTH, Texas (October 9, 2026) – Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association applauds a ruling in favor of landowners in the long-running legal fight over the proposed Lake Ringgold reservoir in Clay County. The ruling marks a significant victory for private property rights and the protection of agricultural land in Texas.
“This ruling is an important milestone and the result of many years of work to ensure agricultural land and natural resources are protected,” said Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Stephen Diebel.
TSCRA stood alongside affected landowners as attorneys presented arguments regarding the merits of the Lake Ringgold permit during a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing. A judge in the 459th Civil District Court reversed the previous ruling, determining that the permit for the proposed reservoir was not warranted.
Had the reservoir moved forward, it would have flooded more than 16,000 acres of productive agricultural land and wildlife habitat, displacing ranching operations and permanently altering the landscape.
“While today’s outcome is a significant step forward for affected landowners, our association will continue advocating for protecting private property rights and natural resources that sustain Texas,” Diebel said.
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