San Jacinto West Fork Migrating Toward Scarborough Land Near Hallett Mine

3/22/26 – The San Jacinto West Fork has migrated almost a mile closer to flood-prone Scarborough Development land near the giant Hallett Mine.

State Agency Charged with Flood Mitigation Invests in Development of Flood-Prone Land

In 2025, Scarborough Lane Development purchased 5,300+ acres of flood-prone land near the confluence of the San Jacinto West Fork, Spring Creek, Cypress Creek and Turkey Creek from a developer named Ryko. The State of Texas, via the School Land Board, which is part of the Texas General Land Office, reportedly helped Scarborough purchase the land.

Last year, State Rep. Steve Toth said the state invested $140 million in the property. However, subsequent attempts to verify that amount and the nature of any state investment proved fruitless. Both the GLO and State Attorney General refuse to disclose any information about what the developer calls his “partnership” with the state.

Development of the property has come under fire from the City of Houston, Harris County, Montgomery County Precinct 3, Montgomery County Engineering, and nearby residents. All feared it would make flooding in the area worse.

West Fork Getting Closer to Scarborough

The developer is also fighting Mother Nature and the giant Hallett mine across the river, which threatens portions of Scarborough’s property as a result of less than optimal business practices.

*Scarborough owns most of the forested section in the center plus more land to the south. Hallett owns or owned virtually all of the sand mines to the east.* *Dikes of large pond on SE have been breached in two places. River now runs through it.*

River Now Almost a Mile Closer to Homes

Because Hallett left only small strips of land between its mine and the river, the river has breached dikes in four places above recently in ponds on the northwest and southeast.

The river now flows through the pond on the southeast instead of around it. That brings the river almost a mile closer to existing homes – and homes that Scarborough hopes to build.

Dumping Sediment Into River

Yesterday, I received texts and pictures from Jody Binnion, who lives next to the Hallett mine, which is now operated by RGI. While attempting to navigate upstream, Binnion noticed tons of dirt that Hallett had dumped into the river, perhaps in an attempt to shore up its dike.

Late last year, TCEQ cited the operation for five violations, which had been ongoing for more than a year.

*Photo Courtesy of Jody Binnion, a fisherman who lives near the Hallett Mine.*

*Second photo courtesy of Binnion* *from a second location.*

*From over West Fork (center). Binnion estimated dumped material extended 50 feet into West Fork.*

*He also felt the loose, unconsolidated material would wash away in the first flood, reducing the conveyance of the river and worsening flooding for homes nearby and downstream.*

Previous sediment has already totally blocked off the West Fork, forcing the river to migrate through the pit on the right, more than a mile closer to existing homes, near where Scarborough wants to build.

*A small portion of the Hallett Mine, upstream from Lake Houston, the drinking water source for more than two million people.*

A Suggestion to Eliminate Conflict of Interest

TCEQ monitors the mine for Nitrate + Nitrite N, total suspended solids, pH, and hazardous metals including Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, and Zinc.

I have previously suggested turning such mines into the Montgomery County Lake District. That would make them an asset to surrounding homeowners rather than a liability.

It would also eliminate a huge conflict of interest for the GLO which administers more than $14 billion in flood mitigation funds for the federal government.

In my opinion, the General Land Office should reconsider its investment in the Scarborough development and instead join with Texas Parks and Wildlife in creating another state park. Preserving the surrounding land would reduce flooding, improve water quality, reduce water treatment costs, and improve public health.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/22/26

3127 Days since Hurricane Harvey

The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.