Members of the public may access the meeting via webcast by following this link: https://www.gotomeeting.com/webinar/join-webinar and entering Webinar ID 603-908-859. It is recommended that you join the webinar and register for the meeting at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins. You will be given the option to use your computer audio or to use your phone for participating in the webinar.
The West Fork was 90% blocked at this point according to the TCEQ. That contributed to the flooding of more than 600 homes.
For those persons without computer or internet access who would like to participate in the meeting, call 844-368-7161 and enter collaboration code 435007#.
If you are unable to attend the Virtual Meeting; the meeting information, summary, and updates will be posted on the above webpage.
Background:
The petitions were filed by the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association (TACA) and the Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative (LHAGFPI). The petitioners requested that the commission adopt a new rule under the Watershed Protection Rules that would establish best management practices for commercial sand mining and other lawful purposes within the San Jacinto River Watershed in Montgomery, Liberty, and Harris counties.
On August 12, 2020, the commission considered the petitions and directed staff to initiate the rulemaking process and include stakeholder involvement. Through the stakeholder process, the TCEQ will determine the appropriate best management practices that are technically supported for the sand mining industry to control pollutants within stormwater discharges. The rulemaking will define specific areas within the watershed that will be regulated and add a new chapter within the 30 TAC, Chapter 311 Watershed Protection Rules.
The original petitions for rulemaking are posted on the TCEQ website at the following links:
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/West-Fork-Sandbar.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-11-10 09:13:252020-11-10 09:17:46TCEQ Meeting on Sand Mine Best Practices Today from 9:30 to 3 CDT
After killing more than 100 people in Central America, Eta made landfall across the Florida Keys overnight and has now moved west into the SE Gulf of Mexico. Numerous curved bands continue to rotate into southern Florida where more than 13 inches of rainfall has been recorded. Eta is the 12 landfalling tropical system on the US coast this season…the previous record was 9 in 1916.
This morning’s satellite image shows the eye of Eta visible in yesterday’s images has collapsed.
Meanwhile, two more storms are brewing in the Atlantic. One is heading away from land. The other, which has a 50% chance of formation in the next five days is moving into the central Caribbean.
Discussion of Eta
Eta’s made landfall on the middle Florida Keys late yesterday evening and has continued westward across Florida Bay and is now over the SE Gulf of Mexico. Eta has maintained well-defined circulation. The wind field has also expanded with tropical storm force winds extending well away from the center and well north along the Florida coast.
The official forecast from the NHC takes Eta toward north Florida, but much divergence remains among the models.
ETA’s Track
Eta will move west to WSW for the next 24 hours, then meander over the SE/E Gulf of Mexico into the middle of the week. The storm could stall over the warm waters of the Gulf loop current. But by later this week, a strong upper-level trough should turn Eta north and then northeast back toward Florida. However, forecast models vary widely. Confidence is low regarding the track forecast. Large changes remain possible. Little consensus exists between weather models.
The South Florida Water Management District shows even less consensus.
Eta’s Intensity
Even though Eta is moving over warm waters, wind sheer and surrounding dry air should keep it in check. The official forecast brings Eta to a minimal hurricane over the SE Gulf of Mexico before weakening again late in the week.
Other Storms
Two other areas of interest have developed in the Atlantic basin and 97L over the eastern Atlantic has a high chance of developing into a tropical system while the tropical wave approaching the Caribbean has a medium chance of developing later this week. The next tropical storm will break the previous record for the most tropical storms in an Atlantic hurricane season.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/29L_tracks_latest.png?fit=768%2C800&ssl=1800768adminadmin2020-11-09 11:10:152020-11-09 11:15:53Eta Slimes Florida With Foot of Rain So Far, Sets New Record, More Storms May Follow
When last I checked on the status of Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village project in Montgomery County north of Elm Grove, contractors were still putting the finishing touches on detention ponds. Since then, Perry has:
Erected chain-link fencing with barbed wire around the perimeter
Planted some grass to stabilize the soil
Removed all construction equipment from the site.
More Than a Year After Imelda, Still No Deal
Perry is waiting to see if Harris County and the City will be able to finalize a deal to purchase the site and turn it into a regional detention basin. The three sides have been talking for more than a year. The project twice contributed to flooding Elm Grove last year after Perry cleared the land but before they built all of the required detention capacity.
Now that they’re finished though, they still have only 60% of what they need. That’s because the company rushed to get the project permitted before new, higher Atlas-14 regulations went into effect.
In February this year, the City declined to consider purchasing Woodridge Village. The City said it was the County’s responsibility because voters passed a flood bond, even though the City had approved Perry’s plans even before LJA’s drainage analysis had been submitted.
In the meantime, Perry Homes hinted to Elm Grove leaders that, “It sure would be nice if all those lawsuits went away.” Perry Homes also still has a “For Sale” sign up on the property, although the listing company does not show the property on their website.
Entrance to Woodridge Village from Woodland Hills.
This all reminds me of a line from one of my favorite movies. “Once the plan gets too complex, everything can go wrong.”
Walter Sobchak in Big Lebowski
At this rate, the 60% solution may stay the 60% solution for a long time. Certainly, the lawsuits show no sign of going away any time soon. The Harris County District Clerk’s website (see CAUSE NO. 2019-33415) has seen a flurry of filings in recent months.
Current Pics
Here’s how the site looks today.
Looking east over S1 towards S2, the two detention ponds on the southern border of Woodridge Village.Looking north along the eastern border toward N3, the third pond on the northern section.Where the northeastern portion of the site drains into the head of N3. Note security fence around perimeter.Looking south along N3 toward Taylor Gully in the background.Looking east along the northern border toward Ford Road in Porter.Looking west along the northern borderLooking southwest across the northern portion of Woodridge Village, with N3 on the left.N1, the first detention pond on the northern section of Woodridge VillageThe massive N2 pond along the southwestern border of the northern section.
TCEQ Meeting on Sand Mine Best Practices Today from 9:30 to 3 CDT
The TCEQ will meet this morning with stakeholders to discuss sand mining best practices.
Date: November 10, 2020
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. CDT
Location: Virtual Meeting via GoToWebinar
Public Participation: Virtual Meeting Link
Members of the public may access the meeting via webcast by following this link: https://www.gotomeeting.com/webinar/join-webinar and entering Webinar ID 603-908-859. It is recommended that you join the webinar and register for the meeting at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins. You will be given the option to use your computer audio or to use your phone for participating in the webinar.
For those persons without computer or internet access who would like to participate in the meeting, call 844-368-7161 and enter collaboration code 435007#.
Handouts will be available at the following webpage prior to the meeting: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/stormwater/sand-mining-rulemaking
If you are unable to attend the Virtual Meeting; the meeting information, summary, and updates will be posted on the above webpage.
Background:
The petitions were filed by the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association (TACA) and the Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative (LHAGFPI). The petitioners requested that the commission adopt a new rule under the Watershed Protection Rules that would establish best management practices for commercial sand mining and other lawful purposes within the San Jacinto River Watershed in Montgomery, Liberty, and Harris counties.
On August 12, 2020, the commission considered the petitions and directed staff to initiate the rulemaking process and include stakeholder involvement. Through the stakeholder process, the TCEQ will determine the appropriate best management practices that are technically supported for the sand mining industry to control pollutants within stormwater discharges. The rulemaking will define specific areas within the watershed that will be regulated and add a new chapter within the 30 TAC, Chapter 311 Watershed Protection Rules.
The original petitions for rulemaking are posted on the TCEQ website at the following links:
· TACA Petition
· LHAGFPI Petition
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/10/2020
1169 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Eta Slimes Florida With Foot of Rain So Far, Sets New Record, More Storms May Follow
After killing more than 100 people in Central America, Eta made landfall across the Florida Keys overnight and has now moved west into the SE Gulf of Mexico. Numerous curved bands continue to rotate into southern Florida where more than 13 inches of rainfall has been recorded. Eta is the 12 landfalling tropical system on the US coast this season…the previous record was 9 in 1916.
Meanwhile, two more storms are brewing in the Atlantic. One is heading away from land. The other, which has a 50% chance of formation in the next five days is moving into the central Caribbean.
Discussion of Eta
Eta’s made landfall on the middle Florida Keys late yesterday evening and has continued westward across Florida Bay and is now over the SE Gulf of Mexico. Eta has maintained well-defined circulation. The wind field has also expanded with tropical storm force winds extending well away from the center and well north along the Florida coast.
ETA’s Track
Eta will move west to WSW for the next 24 hours, then meander over the SE/E Gulf of Mexico into the middle of the week. The storm could stall over the warm waters of the Gulf loop current. But by later this week, a strong upper-level trough should turn Eta north and then northeast back toward Florida. However, forecast models vary widely. Confidence is low regarding the track forecast. Large changes remain possible. Little consensus exists between weather models.
Eta’s Intensity
Even though Eta is moving over warm waters, wind sheer and surrounding dry air should keep it in check. The official forecast brings Eta to a minimal hurricane over the SE Gulf of Mexico before weakening again late in the week.
Other Storms
Two other areas of interest have developed in the Atlantic basin and 97L over the eastern Atlantic has a high chance of developing into a tropical system while the tropical wave approaching the Caribbean has a medium chance of developing later this week. The next tropical storm will break the previous record for the most tropical storms in an Atlantic hurricane season.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/9/2020
1168 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Woodridge Village: Perry Homes’ 60 Percent Solution Now Complete
When last I checked on the status of Perry Homes’ Woodridge Village project in Montgomery County north of Elm Grove, contractors were still putting the finishing touches on detention ponds. Since then, Perry has:
More Than a Year After Imelda, Still No Deal
Perry is waiting to see if Harris County and the City will be able to finalize a deal to purchase the site and turn it into a regional detention basin. The three sides have been talking for more than a year. The project twice contributed to flooding Elm Grove last year after Perry cleared the land but before they built all of the required detention capacity.
In February this year, the City declined to consider purchasing Woodridge Village. The City said it was the County’s responsibility because voters passed a flood bond, even though the City had approved Perry’s plans even before LJA’s drainage analysis had been submitted.
Harris County has subsequently tried to buy the land and build more detention capacity since April. But Precinct 1 Commission Rodney Ellis has heaped new conditions on the sale every time the sides seem close to reaching a deal. Commissioners finally voted to approve negotiation of an earnest money contract in September. But then, at the October 27 Commissioners Court Meeting, Ellis hinted that he now wants the City to apply his “equity” standards to its own flood mitigation projects. “I’m going to propose that they give us a recommendation or I’ll come up with one,“ he bragged. Or threatened.
In the meantime, Perry Homes hinted to Elm Grove leaders that, “It sure would be nice if all those lawsuits went away.” Perry Homes also still has a “For Sale” sign up on the property, although the listing company does not show the property on their website.
At this rate, the 60% solution may stay the 60% solution for a long time. Certainly, the lawsuits show no sign of going away any time soon. The Harris County District Clerk’s website (see CAUSE NO. 2019-33415) has seen a flurry of filings in recent months.
Current Pics
Here’s how the site looks today.
The detention ponds passed several minor tests last spring and summer, but have yet to see a major challenge.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/9/2020
1168 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 417 since Imelda