John Kanelis

The main courtroom might need a little extra touching up, but most of the building is about two months from readiness, County Judge Randy Moore said.

Federal law requires reservoir builders to do their best to replace the wildlife habitat that new developments destroy.

Lake Ralph Hall is projected to cover roughly 12 square miles of surface area. The project expects to have 32 miles of underground pipe to transport the water to communities that will use it and will include a mile-long, pedestrian-friendly bridge.

Boating on the new reservoir will happen, but details about land-based recreational activities at Bois d'Arc Lake haven't been determined.