1/25/25 – Yesterday, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) released two lists ofprojects proposed for $863 million in funding.
The lists correspond to Community Development Block Grants for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The Texas General Land Office (GLO) administers the funds at the state level.
Per HUD rules, at least 50% of the funding for all projects taken together must benefit Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) citizens. However, HCFCD is working towards a goal of 70% mandated by Harris County Commissioners Court.
Differences Between DR and MIT Funds
Of the total $863 million awarded, $322 million will go to Disaster Recovery programs and $541 million will go to Mitigation programs.
CDBG-DR dollars fund areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. CDBG-DR projects must be completed by May 31, 2026.
CDBG-MIT dollars fund projects that mitigate future disasters and flooding. They must finish by March 31, 2028.
You can review one-page summaries of each recommended project on these pages:
HCFCD’s release of the lists yesterday opened public comment, which closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Email comments to CDBG@hcfcd.hctx.net or mail them to Harris County Flood Control District, ATTN: CDBG Communications, 9900 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092.
Only One Project in Lake Houston Area
HCFCD has proposed one project in the Lake Houston Area out of all this money: Taylor Gully Channel Improvements/Woodridge Village Stormwater Detention Basin. HCFCD estimates the project at $33 million. It will serve a population that’s 26% LMI.
The project overview says, “This project will improve the stormwater conveyance in Taylor Gully and increase the volume of detained stormwater with the construction of the Woodridge stormwater detention basin. The stormwater detention basin will be constructed on undeveloped land the Flood Control District owns and adjacent to three existing stormwater detention basins. This part of the project will be completed before the channel conveyance improvements on Taylor Gully start.”
Taylor Gully starts in MoCo on the Woodridge Village Property and runs through the northern part of Kingwood to the East Fork. Hundreds of families flooded twice in 2019 in this area after Perry Homes clearcut the Woodridge Property.
Shortly after purchasing the Woodridge property in 2021, HCFCD got a head start on the detention basin portion of the project when it entered an excavation and removal contract with Sprint Sand and Clay. But the contract ended and work stopped when HCFCD decided to apply for the HUD grant. Under HUD rules, work cannot continue while a grant application is being evaluated. That left a gaping, disconnected hole in the ground.
Start of Woodridge Village stormwater detention basin as of October 25, 2024. When complete, it will extend to small grove of trees near top of frameand the diagonal channel that bisects the property. See map above.
Other Mitigation Projects
See the other Projects in the screen captures below.
Notice that the Kingwood Diversion Ditch did not make either list. HCFCD’s Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named it one of the two most important projects in the Kingwood Area, which suffered the worst flood in the county during Harvey.
Regardless, I look forward to seeing the Woodridge detention basin resume construction.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/25/25
2706 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20241025-DJI_20241025151123_0019_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-01-25 16:49:262025-08-30 16:46:16HCFCD Recommends Projects for $863 Million in HUD Funding
1/24/25 – Only hours remain to reduce your flood risk from sand mining.
The public comment period for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) proposed new best management practices (BMPs) for sand mines closes tonight at 11:59 PM. As of this morning, fewer than 200 people statewide had left comments. That’s less than 1% of all the homes and businesses that flooded in the Lake Houston Area alone.
Small Response Says People No Longer Care About Flooding
And that’s a pathetically small number considering sand mining’s contributions to flooding in this area. Sediment released from the mines during floods accumulates at the mouths of rivers streams and ditches, blocking drainage. Accumulated sediment also reduces the conveyance of rivers and streams.
Blockages and reduced conveyance contributed to an estimated billion dollars in damages during Harvey. They have also cost almost $200 million to dredge in the last five years.
Yet the new BMPs do nothing to address this problem. They show the heavy hand of lobbyists on a state agency eager to create the appearance of public protection.
What We Need
In my opinion, the mines need to be on higher ground, farther from rivers. And the setbacks need to retain their natural vegetation. This will reduce the chances of:
Erosion at greater than natural rates
Rivers migrating into mines over time
Pit capture (That’s when a river starts flowing through a mine pit.)
Floodwaters inundating the mines and carrying off sediment
Downstream sediment accumulations that contribute to flooding homes and businesses.
Hallett and surrounding mines on the San Jacinto West Fork on May 3, 2024. This was during what amounted to a 2- to 10-year rainfall, according to HCFCD.However, flood levels downstream reached 100-year levels, a testament to the reduced conveyance of the West Fork.
The dikes around sand mines are supposed to protect them in a 100-year flood. But as you can see in the photo above, it doesn’t really work that way.
Submitting Your Comment Should Take Less Than 2 Minutes
Please help. Submit public comments to the TCEQ that urge them to include BMPs that address better sediment control.
Here’s how. It should only take a minute or two. Follow these simple steps.
Paste the text into their webform or use your own words.
RE: APO BMP List Proposal
TCEQ’s proposed list of Best Management Practices for Aggregate Production Operations completely ignores mining issues that contribute to flooding in the Houston area.
Most mines on the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto were inundated last year in what amounted to 2- to 10-year rainfall. Floodwaters swept industrial waste downstream into Lake Houston, the drinking water supply for two million people.
The rivers also broke through the dikes of at least six of those mines. The rivers now run through pits instead of around them. This flushes sand and sediment downstream, where it reduces conveyance, blocks drainage and contributes to flooding.
Addressing these issues requires building mines on higher ground, farther from rivers.
I recommend doubling the minimum setback from 100 to 200 feet for mines in the San Jacinto watershed. That will put the mines on higher ground, farther from the floodway.
I also recommend leaving forests undisturbed in the widened buffer zone. That will reduce the velocity of floodwater and, with it, the volume of sediment carried downstream. It will also decrease the likelihood of pit capture, by increasing the amount of time that it takes a river to migrate into a mine. The forest will also help capture sediment that may escape a mine.
Finally, the wider buffers will give rivers more room to spread out during floods. Right now, dikes are supposed to protect mines from a hundred-year flood. But when mines build tall dikes on one side of a river, they double the volume of water flooding the other side. And when they build tall dikes on both sides of a river, water has no room to spread out without invading the mines. The tall dikes effectively eliminate ALL floodplains and turn rivers into erosive firehoses.
I also support the concerns and list of alternative BMPs proposed by Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining.
Hurry. There are only hours left. So please don’t put this off. Your voice could make a difference for thousands.
West Fork mouth bar formed during Harvey and was 8-10 feet above water line in place. Picture taken before dredging. This backed water up into the Humble/Kingwood/Atascocita Area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/24/25
2705 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20240503-DJI_20240503180502_0197_D-1.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-01-24 15:11:102025-01-24 15:11:14Last Chance to Reduce Flood Risk from Sand Mining
1/23/25 – In an effort to build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood along Northpark Drive, contractors this week took a brief break – for the weather. But today, they were back at it. Here’s where things stand in the last full week of January.
Demolition, Drainage and Weather Delay
The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 has resumed demolishing more of the old Northpark Drive pavement. Contractors already demolished and removed the old northbound lanes on Loop 494 south of Northpark. This afternoon, they were busy scraping away the old eastbound lanes on Northpark itself between the entrance to Kings Mill and Russell Palmer Road.
In other news:
Installation of culverts on the north side of Northpark has almost reached the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.
A concrete pour between Loop 494 and US59 was only partially completed before the big freeze. It was paused, but rebar is ready when the temperature becomes warm enough to pour concrete again. The ideal temperature for safely pouring concrete is typically between 50°F and 70°F.
Pictures Taken 1/23/25
Here are pictures of the progress taken this afternoon.
Looking east from in front of Northpark Christian Church. Old lanes have been demolished and removed all the way to Russell Palmer Road.Reverse angle from same location. Demolition extends to Kings Mill entrance.Drainage on outbound Northpark now extends almost to UPRR tracks visible at top of frame.Looking South at Loop 494 northbound lanes, also demolished.
Only one of two westbound lanes were poured before cold weather set in.
But another is ready to go when temperatures improve.
Coming Soon
In the next couple weeks, the look-ahead schedule posted on the LHRA website shows that, weather permitting:
As soon as the main drainage reaches the UPRR, crews will drop back and begin working on laterals to businesses.
After the eastbound roadway is removed, a small storm sewer crew will begin the installation of laterals to the new inlets at the new curb line.
Paving crews will continue westbound work between 59 and Loop 494.
Crews will demolish the Northbound lanes on Loop 494 north of Northpark.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250123-DJI_20250123152027_0774_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-01-23 18:33:482025-01-23 19:00:40More of Old Northpark Drive Disappears
HCFCD Recommends Projects for $863 Million in HUD Funding
1/25/25 – Yesterday, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) released two lists of projects proposed for $863 million in funding.
The lists correspond to Community Development Block Grants for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) and Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The Texas General Land Office (GLO) administers the funds at the state level.
Per HUD rules, at least 50% of the funding for all projects taken together must benefit Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) citizens. However, HCFCD is working towards a goal of 70% mandated by Harris County Commissioners Court.
Differences Between DR and MIT Funds
Of the total $863 million awarded, $322 million will go to Disaster Recovery programs and $541 million will go to Mitigation programs.
You can review one-page summaries of each recommended project on these pages:
Public Comment on Two Lists Open Through Feb. 24
HCFCD’s release of the lists yesterday opened public comment, which closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Email comments to CDBG@hcfcd.hctx.net or mail them to Harris County Flood Control District, ATTN: CDBG Communications, 9900 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092.
Only One Project in Lake Houston Area
HCFCD has proposed one project in the Lake Houston Area out of all this money: Taylor Gully Channel Improvements/Woodridge Village Stormwater Detention Basin. HCFCD estimates the project at $33 million. It will serve a population that’s 26% LMI.
The project overview says, “This project will improve the stormwater conveyance in Taylor Gully and increase the volume of detained stormwater with the construction of the Woodridge stormwater detention basin. The stormwater detention basin will be constructed on undeveloped land the Flood Control District owns and adjacent to three existing stormwater detention basins. This part of the project will be completed before the channel conveyance improvements on Taylor Gully start.”
Shortly after purchasing the Woodridge property in 2021, HCFCD got a head start on the detention basin portion of the project when it entered an excavation and removal contract with Sprint Sand and Clay. But the contract ended and work stopped when HCFCD decided to apply for the HUD grant. Under HUD rules, work cannot continue while a grant application is being evaluated. That left a gaping, disconnected hole in the ground.
Other Mitigation Projects
See the other Projects in the screen captures below.
Disaster Recovery Projects
Not on Lists
Notice that the Kingwood Diversion Ditch did not make either list. HCFCD’s Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis named it one of the two most important projects in the Kingwood Area, which suffered the worst flood in the county during Harvey.
Regardless, I look forward to seeing the Woodridge detention basin resume construction.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/25/25
2706 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Last Chance to Reduce Flood Risk from Sand Mining
1/24/25 – Only hours remain to reduce your flood risk from sand mining.
The public comment period for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) proposed new best management practices (BMPs) for sand mines closes tonight at 11:59 PM. As of this morning, fewer than 200 people statewide had left comments. That’s less than 1% of all the homes and businesses that flooded in the Lake Houston Area alone.
Small Response Says People No Longer Care About Flooding
And that’s a pathetically small number considering sand mining’s contributions to flooding in this area. Sediment released from the mines during floods accumulates at the mouths of rivers streams and ditches, blocking drainage. Accumulated sediment also reduces the conveyance of rivers and streams.
Blockages and reduced conveyance contributed to an estimated billion dollars in damages during Harvey. They have also cost almost $200 million to dredge in the last five years.
Yet the new BMPs do nothing to address this problem. They show the heavy hand of lobbyists on a state agency eager to create the appearance of public protection.
What We Need
In my opinion, the mines need to be on higher ground, farther from rivers. And the setbacks need to retain their natural vegetation. This will reduce the chances of:
The dikes around sand mines are supposed to protect them in a 100-year flood. But as you can see in the photo above, it doesn’t really work that way.
Submitting Your Comment Should Take Less Than 2 Minutes
Please help. Submit public comments to the TCEQ that urge them to include BMPs that address better sediment control.
Here’s how. It should only take a minute or two. Follow these simple steps.
RE: APO BMP List Proposal
TCEQ’s proposed list of Best Management Practices for Aggregate Production Operations completely ignores mining issues that contribute to flooding in the Houston area.
Most mines on the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto were inundated last year in what amounted to 2- to 10-year rainfall. Floodwaters swept industrial waste downstream into Lake Houston, the drinking water supply for two million people.
The rivers also broke through the dikes of at least six of those mines. The rivers now run through pits instead of around them. This flushes sand and sediment downstream, where it reduces conveyance, blocks drainage and contributes to flooding.
Addressing these issues requires building mines on higher ground, farther from rivers.
I recommend doubling the minimum setback from 100 to 200 feet for mines in the San Jacinto watershed. That will put the mines on higher ground, farther from the floodway.
I also recommend leaving forests undisturbed in the widened buffer zone. That will reduce the velocity of floodwater and, with it, the volume of sediment carried downstream. It will also decrease the likelihood of pit capture, by increasing the amount of time that it takes a river to migrate into a mine. The forest will also help capture sediment that may escape a mine.
Finally, the wider buffers will give rivers more room to spread out during floods. Right now, dikes are supposed to protect mines from a hundred-year flood. But when mines build tall dikes on one side of a river, they double the volume of water flooding the other side. And when they build tall dikes on both sides of a river, water has no room to spread out without invading the mines. The tall dikes effectively eliminate ALL floodplains and turn rivers into erosive firehoses.
I also support the concerns and list of alternative BMPs proposed by Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining.
Hurry. There are only hours left. So please don’t put this off. Your voice could make a difference for thousands.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/24/25
2705 Days since Hurricane Harvey
More of Old Northpark Drive Disappears
1/23/25 – In an effort to build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood along Northpark Drive, contractors this week took a brief break – for the weather. But today, they were back at it. Here’s where things stand in the last full week of January.
Demolition, Drainage and Weather Delay
The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 has resumed demolishing more of the old Northpark Drive pavement. Contractors already demolished and removed the old northbound lanes on Loop 494 south of Northpark. This afternoon, they were busy scraping away the old eastbound lanes on Northpark itself between the entrance to Kings Mill and Russell Palmer Road.
In other news:
Pictures Taken 1/23/25
Here are pictures of the progress taken this afternoon.
Only one of two westbound lanes were poured before cold weather set in.
Coming Soon
In the next couple weeks, the look-ahead schedule posted on the LHRA website shows that, weather permitting:
For More Information
See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project web pages. For a history of the project, see these select posts on ReduceFlooding.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/23/25
2704 Days since Hurricane Harvey