1/4/26 – January 5, 2026 is the last day to file public comments on a proposed new definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). The new definition could eliminate federal protections for roughly 80% of the wetlands in the United States. A regulatory impact analysis by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that approximately 70 […]
1/2/26 – According a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) investigation, a massive breach of an abandoned sand mine on the West Fork San Jacinto in August 2025 was “an unforeseen incident.” The report also says that the new owner of the property wants to use the pit as a “recreational pond for livestock management.” […]
12/30/25 – Part III of the top flood-related stories of 2025 concerns a slowdown in flood-mitigation activity at Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and how it is already becoming an issue in the election of a new Harris County Judge. Let’s look at the slowdown part first. Spending Drops for Fifth Year The graph […]
12/28/2025 – This is the second part of a three part series on the top flood-related stories of 2025. Part I covered the major disasters of the year. Part II will cover the government response in terms of regulations and funding for flood mitigation efforts. And Part III will cover the progress of mitigation. Government […]
12/27/25 – There was so much flood news this year that I’m splitting the Top Flood-Related Stories of 2025 up into three parts. Part I will cover the storms. Part II will cover funding and government regulations. And Part III will cover the progress of mitigation efforts. Cyclones Ravage Indian Ocean On the other side […]
12/26/2025 – A comparison of drone photos from December 2024 and December 2025 shows considerable progress with the Northpark Expansion project in the last year. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re much closer to the end of Phase 1 now than we were a year ago. Photos taken today show that the […]
12/24/25 – The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas posted notice on 12/19/25 about an agreement in principle to settle pending lawsuits between several Colony Ridge entities, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Parties Working Out Final Details The parties requested until […]
12/22/25 – The Texas General Land Office (GLO), which manages state and federal money for flood mitigation, has invested an undisclosed sum of money in a flood-prone development at the confluence of Spring Creek, Cypress Creek and the San Jacinto West Fork. See below. On the surface, the GLO investment appears to be a conflict […]
12/20/2025 – People pay a premium to live near green space. But will the promises made during a sale be kept? Will that green space remain green, or will it be gobbled up by more development in the future? Here’s a guide to language that should raise red flags when looking at development plans, sales […]
12/19/25 – Despite substantial hurdles, floodplain development can be very profitable for patient developers with deep pockets, even if only a small percentage of their land is developed. For instance, Scarborough Lane Development/San Jacinto Preserve LP has purchased more than 5,000 acres of land in floodplains and floodways near the confluence of four waterways. They […]