Ned achievement #1: In 1972, Ned formed a coalition called Citizens Organization for a Sound Trinity and inspired Dr James White, a SMU theologian, to take the helm. (Ned trained dozens of eco leaders.) The goal was preventing the Trinity from being channelized all the way to the Gulf for barge traffic. Gathering environmentalists, river users such as canoeists and fisher folks, East Texas landowners, and fiscally conservative Republicans such as Alan Steelman (remember them?), COST took on a literal legion of business interests—and won! You can see the scope of the project here courtesy of Texas Landscape Project: https://texaslandscape.org/map/trinity-barge-canal/
Ned called them “water hustlers.” He knew providing water for a growing population wasn’t their primary purpose. There’s always been more than enough in Toledo Bend Reservoir for the top half of Texas and raising its level a foot would provide for a century or more. Instead, it’s all about the money to be made by land speculation corporations, justifying millions for studies by mega-engineering firms, and ginning up work for heavy construction companies, all of which donate generously to political campaigns. I can share tales of the Sabine River Authority that’ll peel your eyelids.
It’s about time somebody told the truth about this. And we will in Ned Fritz Legacy. Donate here: https://nedfritz.com/?page_id=370
Photo of what Ned saved by Daniel Koglin.
