3/21/25 – Montgomery County has received approval from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for three “de-snagging” projects totaling $60,374,999.66. The grant, first reported in 2022, stems from money allocated to Texas by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after Hurricane Harvey.
I’ll discuss the complex, lengthy process involved in awarding these grants below, but first let me outline the projects and who will benefit.
De-snagging Projects Will Benefit 185,000 People
The $60 million will enable three “de-snagging” projects. They include:
East County – $36.4 million
Lake Creek – $9 million
Stewart Creek – $15 million (also includes bank stabilization).
All three projects involve removing trees and loose debris that have fallen into streams or rivers.
Obstructions on San Jacinto East Fork after May 2024 flood……backed water up, threatening homes and businesses.
In many cases, log jams have formed around bridges, also threatening roadways. In addition, other debris – such as old cars, tires, and appliances – also hinders conveyance and streamflow.
The three projects also involve stream bank protection, i.e., with riprap or revegetation. But the Stewart Creek project also involves bank stabilization to help restore and harden the bank that has been lost.
The projects will help protect more than 185,000 people. Specifically, East County will help protect an estimated 115,439 people. Stewart Creek will help 42,560 people. And Lake Creek will benefit 28,325 people.
Mitigation Funds Not Limited to Just Harvey Debris
According to the GLO, all three areas qualify as HUD Most Impacted and Distressed (HMID). And even though the money comes out of an allocation made to the state after Hurricane Harvey, debris that has fallen into streams after Harvey still qualifies for removal.
That’s because of a distinction between disaster-relief and flood-mitigation funds. Disaster relief funds can only be used to help repair damage directly resulting from a storm. However, flood mitigation funds can also be used to help prevent future damage. Disaster relief looks back; flood mitigation looks forward.
So, anything in the streams today qualifies for removal because it would help prevent future flooding. That includes, but is not limited to debris deposited by Imelda in 2019 and three storms in 2024.
In 2024, we had a derecho that downed many trees. Then we had floods in May that swept them into streams and against bridges. Finally, we had Hurricane Beryl that downed even more trees. We experienced one wave of destruction after another.
More trees blocking San Jacinto East Fork after Beryl.
There is no doubt that people are suffering and will continue to suffer if the log jams are not removed.
According to Morgan Lumbley with the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, trees aren’t the only problem. The streams also contain debris such as cars, tires, refrigerators and trash that can back water up and flood people.
Multi-Step Funding Process Finally Near End
These funds come from HUD via the GLO and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC). This complex process involves multiple levels of government.
In 2018, Congress voted $28 billion for mitigation money throughout the U.S. Then HUD allocated $4.3 billion overall to the state of Texas for disasters in 2015 through 2018. That included Hurricane Harvey.
The Federal register for the HUD allocation was not even published until August 2019, two years after Harvey, and 1.5 years after the appropriation.
After Texas received its allocation, GLO had to devise a state action plan and go through a public comment period and approval processes.
At the state level, a large portion of the Texas’ allocation went to local Councils of Governments, such as the HGAC. After HGAC finally knew how much it had to work with, it had to devise a plan for distributing the money locally.
HGAC then had to develop and negotiate a plan called a MOD (Method of Distribution) based on all the requests for assistance from its competing members. A MOD basically is a list of sub-recipients stating how much each gets for what. That involved lengthy submission and project-ranking processes.
Once finalized, the GLO approved HGAC’s MOD in principle. Then entities like Montgomery County actually started developing highly detailed applications involving demographic data, engineering reports, surveys, maps and more. That step is very expensive, which explains why projects are conditionally approved at a high level first.
Where We Stand Now and Next Steps
The GLO just approved three of those applications for MoCo. This page on the GLO site outlines a six-step approval process for Council-of Government projects.
Now that the GLO has approved the MoCo project applications, only one more step remains before work can start. The GLO and MoCo must sign contracts formalizing their agreements. Then work can begin toward construction. That involves bids, procurement of vendors, obtaining any necessary permits, etc.
Whew! And after all that…the actual de-snagging can begin – hopefully before hurricane season…next year.
One observer noted that while upfront processes take years, the actual work might take only months. That makes a great case for de-snagging thebusiness processes around flood mitigation. Perhaps we can get DOGE working on that.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/21/25
2761 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20240820-DJI_20240820122710_0662_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-03-21 18:27:432025-03-24 16:53:10MoCo Receives Approval from GLO for 3 De-snagging Projects Totaling $60 Million
3/20/25 – Montgomery County has asked U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw for federal help in sponsoring a study on repurposing old sand mines. Please send a letter expressing your support. For less than $1 – the cost of an envelope and a stamp – you could help reduce your flood risk.
Why Repurposing is Necessary
Southern Montgomery County has more than 20 square miles of sand mines. To put that in perspective, together, they exceed the size of Lake Houston. In fact, five of the mine complexes are wider than the lake itself at its widest point.
Some mines are still producing, but many have been abandoned – without any remediation or repurposing. Worse, an area 50% larger than Harris County drains through the mines and flushes sediment from them into Lake Houston during floods. The sediment reduces room for water, backs water up, contributes to flooding, and raises water treatment costs.
Exposed sediment in San Jacinto West Fork sand mine
Potential Benefits of Redevelopment
Other areas around the world have used old mines to enhance floodplain management, ecological restoration, and community recreation. Thoughtful redevelopment of Montgomery County mines might yield significant benefits here, too. That’s why we need this study.
Challenges of Abandoned Sand Mines in Floodplains:
Flooding Risks: Abandoned sand mines in floodplains can exacerbate flooding by altering natural water flow and increasing sediment deposition downstream. For instance, during Hurricane Harvey, sand from mining operations contributed to sediment buildup in the San Jacinto River, reducing its capacity and worsening flood conditions.
Environmental Degradation: Unrehabilitated mines can lead to habitat loss, water quality issues, and destabilized riverbanks, impacting local ecosystems and communities.
Potential Repurposing Strategies
Sand-mining in floodplains typically leaves large holes in the ground. With planning, they can turn into extra storage for flood water. Typical secondary uses include:
Water Management Infrastructure:
Stormwater Retention Basins: Repurposed mines can serve as detention basins, managing stormwater runoff and reducing urban flooding.
Groundwater Recharge Zones: These areas can facilitate groundwater recharge, enhancing water availability during dry periods.
Wetland and Riparian Restoration:
Flood Mitigation: Transforming abandoned mines into wetlands can act as natural sponges, absorbing excess floodwater and reducing downstream flooding.
Habitat Creation: Restored wetlands and riparian buffers support biodiversity, offering habitats for various species and improving water quality through natural filtration.
Recreational and Educational Facilities:
Parks and Trails: Redeveloping these areas into parks with walking trails, fishing spots, and bird-watching platforms can provide community recreational spaces.
Environmental Education Centers: Establishing centers focused on local ecology and conservation can promote environmental awareness and stewardship.
The Little Miami River, Ohio, USA: Provides flood control benefits, supports a rich array of wildlife, and has become an important recreational and educational resource for surrounding communities.
Maasplassen Lakes, Netherlands: Former sand pits were transformed into a network of lakes used for water sports, nature conservation, and tourism, boosting the local economy and biodiversity.
Chattahoochee RiverLands, Georgia, USA: Abandoned sand and gravel pits are being converted into natural areas and parks as part of a greenway system, focusing on habitat restoration and public access.
Tinsley Green Sand Quarry, South Yorkshire, UK: Now supports a wide range of species, including several that are rare or protected.
Angler’s Paradise, United Kingdom: A sand and gravel pit in Devon, England, was transformed into a well-known fishing and leisure destination known as Angler’s Paradise.
Considerations for the San Jacinto Watershed
For similar plans to succeed here in the San Jacinto Watershed, in my opinion, we need:
Comprehensive Planning: Collaborative efforts among local governments, environmental organizations, and communities are essential to develop sustainable repurposing plans.
Environmental Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments to address potential contamination and ensure safe redevelopment.
Community Engagement: Involving local residents in planning ensures that projects meet community needs and gain public support.
By implementing these strategies, abandoned sand mines in the San Jacinto watershed could potentially be transformed into assets that enhance environmental health, provide recreational opportunities, and improve flood resilience for communities downstream.
Miners could incorporate the long-term vision for the area into their mine-abandonment plans. But first, we need the vision. So, reduce your flood risk for less than $1.
Suggested Letter
Here is a sample letter. Feel free to copy it or put it in your own words. But send it right away. The deadline is March 28, 2025.
[Insert Your Return Address Here]
March 20, 2025
The Honorable Dan Crenshaw
248 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Supporting Flood Damage Reduction and Environmental Enhancements Study of Sand Mines Along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River
Dear Congressman Crenshaw:
I am writing to express my support for the proposed feasibility study regarding the re-purposing of sand mines along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River for flood damage reduction and environmental enhancements. This project will help mitigate flood risks, enhance water quality, restore ecological function, and improve the resilience of East Montgomery County as well as people downstream in Harris County.
The proposed feasibility study will focus on the reuse of existing sand mines. It presents an opportunity to improve drainage, provide for additional floodwater storage, and enhance recreation.
To put the problem in perspective, five of the sand mines are wider than Lake Houston. And all sand mines combined exceed the area of Lake Houston, which provides water for more than 2 million people.
We thank you for giving this project your full consideration and support and for your commitment to addressing the drainage challenges in Montgomery County Precinct 4.
Respectfully,
[Signature/Name]
Send your letter today! Granted, repurposing mines would be a long-term effort. But it could help reduce your flood risk for less than $1.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/25
2760 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210505-DJI_0724.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2025-03-20 17:40:362025-03-20 23:50:20Reduce Your Flood Risk for Less than $1
3/19/25 – San Jacinto West Fork sand-mining problems persisted this morning, even as the House Natural Resources Committee met to discuss legislation intended to deal with them. With one exception, the miners seemed blissfully unaware of the problems they were causing. And at least one committee member seemed to be a ringer for the sand-mining industry. He reportedly argued that the TCEQ had everything under control.
Do they? You be the judge.
Cunningham Bills Under Consideration
Three bills by Rep. Charles Cunningham discussed this morning included:
HB1532 which creates a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District to help deal with sediment from the mines.
HB1163 which requires miners to develop a restoration plan and post a bond to guarantee they would do it.
HB1177 which puts more teeth in the state water code provision that prohibits flooding neighbors by creating criminal penalties.
Photos Taken During Committee Hearing
As the committee discussed merits of the bills, this is what the West Fork sand-mining problems looked like.
South end of pit sold by Hallett to Riverwalk Porter LLC.Dike has been breached since January 2024.TCEQ seems unconcerned.North end of same pit.River has flowed through pit since May 2024 instead of following its original course.TCEQ seems unconcerned.Closer shot shows sandbar now blocking original river channelwhich flows left to right.TCEQ seems unconcerned.Farther upstream, the river now flows through another pit that Hallett still owns. River flows from bottom to top. Note abandoned river channel on right.TCEQ seems unconcerned.Closer shot of exit breach in same pit.Abandoned dredge pipe at an abandoned mine immediately south of Hallett. This pipe has been there for years. The original operator should have removed it long ago. TCEQ seems unconcerned.Another pit open to the river since May 2024.TCEQ seems unconcerned.Same pit from different angle. Note river starting to cut through neighbor’s property.TCEQ seems unconcerned.More abandoned equipment at another abandoned mine. Should have been removed years ago.TCEQ seems unconcerned.For years, sediment flowed through this breach from the left and filled the channel on the right with silt. Now water in the channel is flowing back into the pond.TCEQ seems unconcerned.
One Exception
All in all, things this morning looked much the way they have since the May flood last year…with one exception. Remember that 800-foot wide river of sludge from the Hallett settling basin (right), that flowed through the woods (left) for more than a year?
Hallett is finally raising the road to staunch the flow.
Putting It All in Perspective
Of Cunningham’s three bills, two focus on prevention. But the dredging bill focuses on correction.
Ironically, one observer of today’s committee hearing felt that the members looked most favorably on the dredging bill. That makes sense. This is a business friendly state. And…
There’s more money to be made by letting companies pollute and then paying other companies to clean it up than there is by just preventing the pollution.
But it’s too early to know how the committee will vote. Check back soon to see how or if Natural Resources will address our West Fork sand-mining problems.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/19/25
2759 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.
MoCo Receives Approval from GLO for 3 De-snagging Projects Totaling $60 Million
3/21/25 – Montgomery County has received approval from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for three “de-snagging” projects totaling $60,374,999.66. The grant, first reported in 2022, stems from money allocated to Texas by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after Hurricane Harvey.
I’ll discuss the complex, lengthy process involved in awarding these grants below, but first let me outline the projects and who will benefit.
De-snagging Projects Will Benefit 185,000 People
The $60 million will enable three “de-snagging” projects. They include:
All three projects involve removing trees and loose debris that have fallen into streams or rivers.
In many cases, log jams have formed around bridges, also threatening roadways. In addition, other debris – such as old cars, tires, and appliances – also hinders conveyance and streamflow.
The three projects also involve stream bank protection, i.e., with riprap or revegetation. But the Stewart Creek project also involves bank stabilization to help restore and harden the bank that has been lost.
The projects will help protect more than 185,000 people. Specifically, East County will help protect an estimated 115,439 people. Stewart Creek will help 42,560 people. And Lake Creek will benefit 28,325 people.
Mitigation Funds Not Limited to Just Harvey Debris
According to the GLO, all three areas qualify as HUD Most Impacted and Distressed (HMID). And even though the money comes out of an allocation made to the state after Hurricane Harvey, debris that has fallen into streams after Harvey still qualifies for removal.
That’s because of a distinction between disaster-relief and flood-mitigation funds. Disaster relief funds can only be used to help repair damage directly resulting from a storm. However, flood mitigation funds can also be used to help prevent future damage. Disaster relief looks back; flood mitigation looks forward.
So, anything in the streams today qualifies for removal because it would help prevent future flooding. That includes, but is not limited to debris deposited by Imelda in 2019 and three storms in 2024.
In 2024, we had a derecho that downed many trees. Then we had floods in May that swept them into streams and against bridges. Finally, we had Hurricane Beryl that downed even more trees. We experienced one wave of destruction after another.
There is no doubt that people are suffering and will continue to suffer if the log jams are not removed.
According to Morgan Lumbley with the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, trees aren’t the only problem. The streams also contain debris such as cars, tires, refrigerators and trash that can back water up and flood people.
Multi-Step Funding Process Finally Near End
These funds come from HUD via the GLO and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC). This complex process involves multiple levels of government.
In 2018, Congress voted $28 billion for mitigation money throughout the U.S. Then HUD allocated $4.3 billion overall to the state of Texas for disasters in 2015 through 2018. That included Hurricane Harvey.
The Federal register for the HUD allocation was not even published until August 2019, two years after Harvey, and 1.5 years after the appropriation.
After Texas received its allocation, GLO had to devise a state action plan and go through a public comment period and approval processes.
At the state level, a large portion of the Texas’ allocation went to local Councils of Governments, such as the HGAC. After HGAC finally knew how much it had to work with, it had to devise a plan for distributing the money locally.
HGAC then had to develop and negotiate a plan called a MOD (Method of Distribution) based on all the requests for assistance from its competing members. A MOD basically is a list of sub-recipients stating how much each gets for what. That involved lengthy submission and project-ranking processes.
Once finalized, the GLO approved HGAC’s MOD in principle. Then entities like Montgomery County actually started developing highly detailed applications involving demographic data, engineering reports, surveys, maps and more. That step is very expensive, which explains why projects are conditionally approved at a high level first.
Where We Stand Now and Next Steps
The GLO just approved three of those applications for MoCo. This page on the GLO site outlines a six-step approval process for Council-of Government projects.
Now that the GLO has approved the MoCo project applications, only one more step remains before work can start. The GLO and MoCo must sign contracts formalizing their agreements. Then work can begin toward construction. That involves bids, procurement of vendors, obtaining any necessary permits, etc.
Whew! And after all that…the actual de-snagging can begin – hopefully before hurricane season…next year.
One observer noted that while upfront processes take years, the actual work might take only months. That makes a great case for de-snagging the business processes around flood mitigation. Perhaps we can get DOGE working on that.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/21/25
2761 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Reduce Your Flood Risk for Less than $1
3/20/25 – Montgomery County has asked U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw for federal help in sponsoring a study on repurposing old sand mines. Please send a letter expressing your support. For less than $1 – the cost of an envelope and a stamp – you could help reduce your flood risk.
Why Repurposing is Necessary
Southern Montgomery County has more than 20 square miles of sand mines. To put that in perspective, together, they exceed the size of Lake Houston. In fact, five of the mine complexes are wider than the lake itself at its widest point.
Some mines are still producing, but many have been abandoned – without any remediation or repurposing. Worse, an area 50% larger than Harris County drains through the mines and flushes sediment from them into Lake Houston during floods. The sediment reduces room for water, backs water up, contributes to flooding, and raises water treatment costs.
Potential Benefits of Redevelopment
Other areas around the world have used old mines to enhance floodplain management, ecological restoration, and community recreation. Thoughtful redevelopment of Montgomery County mines might yield significant benefits here, too. That’s why we need this study.
Challenges of Abandoned Sand Mines in Floodplains:
Potential Repurposing Strategies
Sand-mining in floodplains typically leaves large holes in the ground. With planning, they can turn into extra storage for flood water. Typical secondary uses include:
Water Management Infrastructure:
Wetland and Riparian Restoration:
Recreational and Educational Facilities:
Where It Has Worked Elsewhere
Other areas around the world have faced similar challenges and turned lemons into lemonade.
Considerations for the San Jacinto Watershed
For similar plans to succeed here in the San Jacinto Watershed, in my opinion, we need:
By implementing these strategies, abandoned sand mines in the San Jacinto watershed could potentially be transformed into assets that enhance environmental health, provide recreational opportunities, and improve flood resilience for communities downstream.
Miners could incorporate the long-term vision for the area into their mine-abandonment plans. But first, we need the vision. So, reduce your flood risk for less than $1.
Suggested Letter
Here is a sample letter. Feel free to copy it or put it in your own words. But send it right away. The deadline is March 28, 2025.
[Insert Your Return Address Here]
March 20, 2025
The Honorable Dan Crenshaw
248 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Supporting Flood Damage Reduction and Environmental Enhancements Study of Sand Mines Along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River
Dear Congressman Crenshaw:
I am writing to express my support for the proposed feasibility study regarding the re-purposing of sand mines along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River for flood damage reduction and environmental enhancements. This project will help mitigate flood risks, enhance water quality, restore ecological function, and improve the resilience of East Montgomery County as well as people downstream in Harris County.
The proposed feasibility study will focus on the reuse of existing sand mines. It presents an opportunity to improve drainage, provide for additional floodwater storage, and enhance recreation.
To put the problem in perspective, five of the sand mines are wider than Lake Houston. And all sand mines combined exceed the area of Lake Houston, which provides water for more than 2 million people.
We thank you for giving this project your full consideration and support and for your commitment to addressing the drainage challenges in Montgomery County Precinct 4.
Respectfully,
[Signature/Name]
Send your letter today! Granted, repurposing mines would be a long-term effort. But it could help reduce your flood risk for less than $1.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/25
2760 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.
West Fork Sand-Mining Problems Persist Despite Legislative Efforts
3/19/25 – San Jacinto West Fork sand-mining problems persisted this morning, even as the House Natural Resources Committee met to discuss legislation intended to deal with them. With one exception, the miners seemed blissfully unaware of the problems they were causing. And at least one committee member seemed to be a ringer for the sand-mining industry. He reportedly argued that the TCEQ had everything under control.
Do they? You be the judge.
Cunningham Bills Under Consideration
Three bills by Rep. Charles Cunningham discussed this morning included:
Photos Taken During Committee Hearing
As the committee discussed merits of the bills, this is what the West Fork sand-mining problems looked like.
One Exception
All in all, things this morning looked much the way they have since the May flood last year…with one exception. Remember that 800-foot wide river of sludge from the Hallett settling basin (right), that flowed through the woods (left) for more than a year?
Putting It All in Perspective
Of Cunningham’s three bills, two focus on prevention. But the dredging bill focuses on correction.
Ironically, one observer of today’s committee hearing felt that the members looked most favorably on the dredging bill. That makes sense. This is a business friendly state. And…
But it’s too early to know how the committee will vote. Check back soon to see how or if Natural Resources will address our West Fork sand-mining problems.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/19/25
2759 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.