Only 31 of the 226 parking spots at the new Laurel Springs RV Resort appeared occupied today – despite deep grand-opening discounts, a record cold winter up North, and a few saplings planted on the 20+ acres of concrete.
Triangular dog park features one complimentary sapling for male dogs.Railroad tracks in trees in right. Looking NNW across RV Resort from over Laurel Springs Lane.
Nephew Izzy to the Rescue
Not even Nephew Izzy could understand it. “Uncle Bob, they don’t even have oil spots on the pavement yet! And look at all the privacy you could have.”
Izzy is a connoisseur of trailer and RV parks. He and his new girlfriend, Wanda June, a dancer down at the Crystal Pistol, grew up in them.
I asked, “Ya think it might have anything to do with trains running up and down those tracks all day and all night long, Izzy?”
“I could have that place filled up by next weekend, Uncle Bob.”
“How’s that?”
“I’d make Wanda June the check-in clerk. She packs them in down at the Crystal Pistol.”
“She does have a way with people. But desk clerks don’t get too many tips, Izzy.”
“I see your point, Uncle Bob. Could cut down on our income.”
Romance of the Railroad and Wide Open Spaces?
“Hey, how about if we give out free Johnny Cash tapes at check in? Capitalize on the romance of the railroad.”
“You mean like Folsom Prison Blues?”
“Yeah, that’s the ticket. Johnny Cash is awesome.”
“Hmmm. Maybe not the perfect choice,” said Izzy. Then brightening, “I know! I’d sell ‘Wide Open Spaces!'”
“Well, they certainly have lots of those.” A big pause.
“What’s wrong, Uncle Bob?”
“Do you think that will cause people to ask why no one’s there?”
“Maybe free hearing protectors?” asked Izzy without much conviction.
I guess I didn’t enthuse enough.
Izzy Has Second Thoughts For First Time in Life
“I think I better sleep on this, Uncle Bob”
“I think you better keep your job down at the Crystal Pistol, Izzy.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/1/23
2041 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/2023/04/20230401-DJI_0371.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2023-04-01 19:46:492023-04-01 22:28:30Laurel Springs RV Resort 14% Occupied; Nephew Izzy Tries to Help
This is off topic but it affects thousands of readers. Today, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced that Kingwood Drive repairs will be extended farther west to Royal Forest beginning Monday, April 3.
The repairs began at Green Oak on March 20. Crews reached Chestnut Ridge today, March 31.
Houston Public Works will replace additional concrete panels in the westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive from Chestnut Ridge to Royal Forest beginning next week.
Repair work should finish by Monday, May 15, weather permitting.
After the contractor completes panels in the westbound lanes, construction will then shift to the eastbound lanes.
Westbound lanes under repair from April 3 to May 15
Allow extra time when traveling through this area or take an alternate route.
Work Hours
Kingwood Drive repairs will take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Exercise Caution
Flagmen and orange traffic cones will help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project will require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Likewise, businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times, but may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
The cost of the Kingwood Drive repairs is $160,000 and is funded with Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s Council District Service Funds.
Twenty-two months after learning it would receive $750 million from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for Harvey Flood Mitigation, Harris County Commissioners finally approved a Method of Distribution (MOD) for the money on 3/14/23.
The MOD must be approved by the GLO and HUD before the county can begin spending the money. However, the plan virtually ignores flood risk and public comments.
What Happened to Flood-Risk Reduction?
The basic purpose of the HUD money, administered by GLO, is to reduce flood risk. The word “risk” appears 490 times in the MOD submission. Only one problem!
The proposed project scoring matrices never mention “risk,” at least not directly.
The plan contains one scoring matrix for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Projects and another for Partnership Projects.
HCFCD Projects
For the portion of the money going to the Harris County Flood-Control District, the MOD bases funding on:
LMI (Low-to-Moderate Income) Population Percentage (35 points)
Social Vulnerability (30 points)
Population (15 points)
Repetitive Flood Loss (20 points)
Unfortunately, giving weight to damages as opposed to risk, gives the same weight to areas that have already been mitigated as it does to areas that have not received a penny.
The MOD also says distribution of flood-control funds will be governed by the Equity Prioritization Framework (even though it doesn’t explain how). The 2022 version of that Framework gives 20% weight in scoring projects to “Existing Conditions.” Existing Conditions refer to the capacity of a channel to manage flood events of different intensities. But that’s as close as the MOD comes to addressing flood risk in project scoring.
Watersheds with a majority LMI population have roughly a billion dollars worth of uncompleted 2018 flood bond projects. With roughly a half billion of the $750 million going to HCFCD, the LMI and SVI requirements put on that portion of the money virtually guarantee that none will be left for more affluent watersheds.
So even though HUD and GLO rules allow 50% of the money to be spent in more affluent watersheds, the criteria adopted by Commissioner’s Court will likely preclude any of the money going there.
Partnership Projects
The portion of the money going to Partnership Projects has slightly different criteria. But that matrix also includes NO references to flood risk. It scores projects based on:
Project Readiness (20 points)
Percent LMI Population (25 points)
Project Efficiency (cost per person and building benefitted) (20 points)
Ancillary Benefits (environmental, economic, quality of life) (10 points)
Partner Contribution (25 points)
Nowhere did the plan provide direct comparisons of flood risk so that areas with the highest risk could be addressed first. Neither did the plan address flood severity. Thus, areas already mitigated that got one inch of flooding will rank as high as unmitigated areas that got 20 feet.
Chart showing feet above flood stage of 33 gages of misc. bayous in Harris County during Harvey.
Virtually No One Happy
The Harris County Community Resilience Flood Task Force submitted a letter strongly prioritizing flood-risk reduction. That got ignored as were most of the 235 pages of other public comments submitted.
Virtually no one seemed happy with the plan or the fairness of the distribution of money.
The county did not bother to respond directly to those who took the time to study the plan and submit comments. However, it did provide responses within the plan itself.
To paraphrase one of the generic responses: “Thank you for your comment. Here’s what we’re going to do. The GLO encourages regional and countywide investments in flood mitigation. But we’re prioritizing population in low income and socially vulnerable areas.”
Typical comment and response to proposed MOD.Name of commenter redacted.
Harris County has already spent $1.7 billion on flood mitigation since Harvey – the vast majority of it in LMI areas. There’s no hint of spreading the $750 million around to other areas.
Transparency Issues Also a Problem
The Harris County Community Services Department (CSD) will manage this money. But CSD has a serious transparency problem.
The MOD portion of the website hasn’t been updated for six weeks, even though much has changed since then.
Potential partners have complained about being in the dark.
Two weeks ago, the interim director promised to put out a call for partner projects. But the website still hasn’t announced the opportunities yet.
CSD still has not posted the plan approved by commissioners.
CSD’s lack of transparency was a major theme in the hundreds of pages of public comments.
What Next for Flood-Bond Projects in Outlying Areas?
With virtually all of the HUD money going to LMI areas, and with not enough money left in the flood bond to finish all the projects, Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia owe us an explanation. How do they intend to fulfill the County’s promise to voters who approved the 2018 Flood Bond thinking they would get something out of it?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/29/2023
2038 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/KingwoodGreens-e1551452236612.jpg?fit=1500%2C1038&ssl=110381500adminadmin2023-03-29 15:35:402023-03-29 16:22:20$750 Million Flood Plan Ignores Flood Risk, Public
Laurel Springs RV Resort 14% Occupied; Nephew Izzy Tries to Help
Only 31 of the 226 parking spots at the new Laurel Springs RV Resort appeared occupied today – despite deep grand-opening discounts, a record cold winter up North, and a few saplings planted on the 20+ acres of concrete.
Nephew Izzy to the Rescue
Not even Nephew Izzy could understand it. “Uncle Bob, they don’t even have oil spots on the pavement yet! And look at all the privacy you could have.”
Izzy is a connoisseur of trailer and RV parks. He and his new girlfriend, Wanda June, a dancer down at the Crystal Pistol, grew up in them.
I asked, “Ya think it might have anything to do with trains running up and down those tracks all day and all night long, Izzy?”
“I could have that place filled up by next weekend, Uncle Bob.”
“How’s that?”
“I’d make Wanda June the check-in clerk. She packs them in down at the Crystal Pistol.”
“She does have a way with people. But desk clerks don’t get too many tips, Izzy.”
“I see your point, Uncle Bob. Could cut down on our income.”
Romance of the Railroad and Wide Open Spaces?
“Hey, how about if we give out free Johnny Cash tapes at check in? Capitalize on the romance of the railroad.”
“You mean like Folsom Prison Blues?”
“Yeah, that’s the ticket. Johnny Cash is awesome.”
“Did you ever listen to the lyrics, Izzy?”
“I just hum along.”
“When I hear that whistle blowin’, I hang my head and cry,” I sang.
“Hmmm. Maybe not the perfect choice,” said Izzy. Then brightening, “I know! I’d sell ‘Wide Open Spaces!'”
“Well, they certainly have lots of those.” A big pause.
“What’s wrong, Uncle Bob?”
“Do you think that will cause people to ask why no one’s there?”
“Maybe free hearing protectors?” asked Izzy without much conviction.
I guess I didn’t enthuse enough.
Izzy Has Second Thoughts For First Time in Life
“I think I better sleep on this, Uncle Bob”
“I think you better keep your job down at the Crystal Pistol, Izzy.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/1/23
2041 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.
Kingwood Drive Repairs Extended West
This is off topic but it affects thousands of readers. Today, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced that Kingwood Drive repairs will be extended farther west to Royal Forest beginning Monday, April 3.
The repairs began at Green Oak on March 20. Crews reached Chestnut Ridge today, March 31.
Houston Public Works will replace additional concrete panels in the westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive from Chestnut Ridge to Royal Forest beginning next week.
Repair work should finish by Monday, May 15, weather permitting.
After the contractor completes panels in the westbound lanes, construction will then shift to the eastbound lanes.
Allow extra time when traveling through this area or take an alternate route.
Work Hours
Kingwood Drive repairs will take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Exercise Caution
Flagmen and orange traffic cones will help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project will require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Likewise, businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times, but may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
The cost of the Kingwood Drive repairs is $160,000 and is funded with Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s Council District Service Funds.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin’s office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/31/23 based on a press release by Houston District E
2040 Days since Hurricane Harvey
$750 Million Flood Plan Ignores Flood Risk, Public
Twenty-two months after learning it would receive $750 million from the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for Harvey Flood Mitigation, Harris County Commissioners finally approved a Method of Distribution (MOD) for the money on 3/14/23.
The MOD must be approved by the GLO and HUD before the county can begin spending the money. However, the plan virtually ignores flood risk and public comments.
What Happened to Flood-Risk Reduction?
The basic purpose of the HUD money, administered by GLO, is to reduce flood risk. The word “risk” appears 490 times in the MOD submission. Only one problem!
The proposed project scoring matrices never mention “risk,” at least not directly.
The plan contains one scoring matrix for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Projects and another for Partnership Projects.
HCFCD Projects
For the portion of the money going to the Harris County Flood-Control District, the MOD bases funding on:
Unfortunately, giving weight to damages as opposed to risk, gives the same weight to areas that have already been mitigated as it does to areas that have not received a penny.
The MOD also says distribution of flood-control funds will be governed by the Equity Prioritization Framework (even though it doesn’t explain how). The 2022 version of that Framework gives 20% weight in scoring projects to “Existing Conditions.” Existing Conditions refer to the capacity of a channel to manage flood events of different intensities. But that’s as close as the MOD comes to addressing flood risk in project scoring.
Watersheds with a majority LMI population have roughly a billion dollars worth of uncompleted 2018 flood bond projects. With roughly a half billion of the $750 million going to HCFCD, the LMI and SVI requirements put on that portion of the money virtually guarantee that none will be left for more affluent watersheds.
So even though HUD and GLO rules allow 50% of the money to be spent in more affluent watersheds, the criteria adopted by Commissioner’s Court will likely preclude any of the money going there.
Partnership Projects
The portion of the money going to Partnership Projects has slightly different criteria. But that matrix also includes NO references to flood risk. It scores projects based on:
Nowhere did the plan provide direct comparisons of flood risk so that areas with the highest risk could be addressed first. Neither did the plan address flood severity. Thus, areas already mitigated that got one inch of flooding will rank as high as unmitigated areas that got 20 feet.
Virtually No One Happy
The Harris County Community Resilience Flood Task Force submitted a letter strongly prioritizing flood-risk reduction. That got ignored as were most of the 235 pages of other public comments submitted.
Virtually no one seemed happy with the plan or the fairness of the distribution of money.
The county did not bother to respond directly to those who took the time to study the plan and submit comments. However, it did provide responses within the plan itself.
To paraphrase one of the generic responses: “Thank you for your comment. Here’s what we’re going to do. The GLO encourages regional and countywide investments in flood mitigation. But we’re prioritizing population in low income and socially vulnerable areas.”
Harris County has already spent $1.7 billion on flood mitigation since Harvey – the vast majority of it in LMI areas. There’s no hint of spreading the $750 million around to other areas.
Transparency Issues Also a Problem
The Harris County Community Services Department (CSD) will manage this money. But CSD has a serious transparency problem.
CSD’s lack of transparency was a major theme in the hundreds of pages of public comments.
What Next for Flood-Bond Projects in Outlying Areas?
With virtually all of the HUD money going to LMI areas, and with not enough money left in the flood bond to finish all the projects, Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia owe us an explanation. How do they intend to fulfill the County’s promise to voters who approved the 2018 Flood Bond thinking they would get something out of it?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/29/2023
2038 Days since Hurricane Harvey