When Noxxe Oil & Gas declared bankruptcy in February of this year, the company left behind dozens of pump jacks, tanks, trucks and other pieces of oilfield equipment that Harvey destroyed in Forest Cove. The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) seized the assets but has been slow to clean up the mess. As a result, thieves and TRRC are now engaged in a low-stakes game of tug-of-war – to the victor goes the scrap metal. But the TRRC says it will soon start a cleanup of this site.
Vultures Picking Over Noxxe’s Bones
I ran a story several weeks ago about this heating tower on Marina Drive in Forest Cove. I’ve nicknamed Marina Drive “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” That’s because of the dozens of townhomes destroyed there by Harvey.
Towers like the one below separate oil, gas and water. I had photographed it several times. Then, about a month ago, I noticed it toppled.
The 23-foot tower in question before it toppled. Abandoned after Harvey, it became property of the stateafter Noxxe’s bankruptcy.
I thought the tower had “fallen.” But an astute TRRC investigator pointed out the steel wire draped over the top of the tank below.
It did not fall down. Someone pulled it down and attempted to drag it off. Photo taken in mid-September.
23 feet of 1.5 inch steel
After a couple cases of beer, I’m sure Jim Bob and Bubba felt this would be pretty light work. But the tower is made out of solid steel that is 1.5 inches thick – about the thickness of Jim Bob’s and Bubba’s brains put together. They had to abandon their efforts – until they got more beer.
Tower in a Tug of War
The thieves later came back and managed to drag the hefty tower into the middle of Marina Drive. See below.
It should be easy tracking down the thieves. Just look for oil stains on the carpet.
But according to the Railroad Commission, the tower weighs 6-8 tons.
Close up shot from the other direction.
“Think that will fit into the trunk, Jim Bob?”
The tower weighs more than two F150s plus a dozen rib dinners from Dickey’s. Translation: that ain’t fitting in the trunk…or a U-Haul, no matter how much beer they brought along. It would squash the tires like roaches.
When notified that the unit was blocking the Boulevard of Broken Dreams and putting dopers in danger, TRRC returned with a tractor and a winch. They tried to haul it off, too, but gave up when it nearly broke the winch. They determined that only a crane will lift it. So they pushed the heater treater back near its original pad. See below.
Back where it started. Photo taken 10/13/2020.
Art of Jungle Warfare Elevated
TRRC then mined the area with thousands of razor-sharp brambles; sweet-gum balls; and twisted, torn chain link fencing. Steel-toed shoes are no match. These defenses could even take out the tires of a dually.
Someone may yet steal this steel. But they will pay a heavy price. TRRC has taken jungle warfare to the next level. Ho Chi Minh could have learned a thing or two from the Railroad Commission.
Forest Cove Cleanup Now Named a Priority Project
According to Dean Southward, the TRRC District Cleanup Coordinator, Noxxe’s Forest Cove Properties have been elevated to the status of a priority project. The Commission’s budget has recycled and Southward says he will soon start bidding the cleanup. Forest Cove homeowners and Little League players will rejoice. Maybe we will hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing by Christmas.
In the meantime, folks, unless you have a very good chiropractor, stay away from the Noxxe Lease.
Thanks to Dan Huberty for his help in getting the TRRC to name this a priority.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/14/2020
1142 Days after 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/2020/10/20201005-DJI_0817.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2020-10-14 15:15:342020-10-14 15:15:44Railroad Commission To Start Bidding Cleanup of Forest Cove Oilfields, Even as They Battle Thieves
On 8/11/2020, Harris County Commissioners Court approved creation of a new Community Flood Resilience Task Force (CFRTF). The first five of 17 appointments to the Task Force have been made by the County Judge and each of the four Commissioners. The first five will select the remaining members.
I seldom insert myself in a story. But it will be impossible not to in this case. Read on.
Purpose of Community Flood Resilience Task Force
According to the bylaws approved in commissioners court, the purpose of the CFRTF is to serve in an advisory capacity to the County’s Infrastructure Resilience Team and the Harris County Commissioners Court. The CFRTF will promote collaboration among stakeholders. The Task Force will also encourage equitable resilience planning and flood resilience projects that:
Support holistic, innovative, and nature-based solutions to building flood resilience and mitigating flood risks;
Achieve multiple short- and long-term benefits for as many Harris County communities as possible;
Take into account the needs and priorities of the community and promote equitable community-level outcomes in the face of flooding; and
Protect communities, homes, and businesses across Harris County from flood-related hazards.
US59 during Harvey. Photo by Melinda Ray.
Task Force Objectives
CFRTF objectives include:
Provide feedback on the development and implementation of flood resilience planning efforts.
Strengthen flood resilience.
Evaluate implementation of the existing flood-bond project prioritization framework and schedule.
Identify and develop funding strategies for flood resilience efforts.
Provide oversight and encourage transparency in the development and implementation of Harris County’s future flood-resilience planning efforts.
Improve community engagement. Obtain feedback from the community on flood resilience planning efforts and projects.
Rundown on Five Initial Members
The five members appointed by the Judge and Commissioners include:
Remaining Members Will Be Selected by the End of the Year
The remaining 12 members of the Task Force will be selected by the five members above. To date, there have been no official meetings as the final member, Rehak, was approved today.
Composition of the final 17 member task force must include at least:
Two members from low-income, flood-prone communities
Two members from communities of color impacted by flooding
Three members with scientific and/or technical expertise related to environmentally sustainable flood resilience or flood-risk mitigation
One City-of-Houston employee with responsibility for flood resilience
One member from each of eight competency areas below (who may also represent categories above)
Competency Areas
Public Housing
Public Health
Engineering/Construction
Urban Design/Planning
Flood-Risk Mitigation
Environmental Sustainability
Grassroots Community Organization
Equity and Social Justice
Remaining members should be selected by the end of this calendar year.
A Personal Note
I didn’t seek this position. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle nominated me. I accepted his nomination and feel honored. I promise to make the proceedings of this group as open and transparent as possible. That is one of the core objectives. And ReduceFlooding.com provides an ideal platform to help achieve that. If you have input that could help the task force, please feel free to email me through the Contact Page on this web site. In the meantime, I will continue posting as I have since Harvey about the causes of flooding and ways to mitigate it.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/13/2020
1141 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Melinda-Ray-Harvey.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=11200900adminadmin2020-10-13 18:15:272020-10-13 23:01:46First Members of Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force Appointed, Rehak Among Them
Camcorp Management is building a new high-density development in Montgomery County called Brooklyn Trails on a tributary of Ben’s Branch upstream from Kingwood. The development’s detention pond is apparently 30% smaller than new Atlas-14 regulations would require for this area.
Most of Brooklyn Trails is still vacant...…but time is running out to do something. High density homes are going up quickly.
Even though plans were discussed, reviewed and revised after Atlas 14 went into effect, in Montgomery County the submission date determines which rainfall statistics apply.
Ben’s Branch cuts diagonally through Kingwood. It goes through three commercial areas: Northpark, Town Center and Kings Harbor. Bear Branch Elementary, Kingwood High School and the Humble ISD instructional center all border Ben’s Branch, not to mention hundreds of homes and St. Martha Catholic Church.
Rainfall rates that A&S used to design drainage for Brooklyn Trails vary substantially from MoCo’s new rate and Atlas-14 rates for the Lake Houston Area.
Montgomery County bases its 100-year/24-hour rainfall rate on Conroe (the County seat). Despite variations within the county from north to south, adopting the Conroe rate makes it easier for developers to calculate detention requirements. Some parts of the county have no gages. However, the uniform rate also understates the detention needed for new developments in the fast growing southern part of the county, which receives more rain.
Differences Between Three Rates
The three different rates referenced above for the 24-hour 100-year rain break down as follows:
17.3 inches = Rate for 100-year/24-hour rain for Lake Houston Area by NOAA (see below)
That means Brooklyn Trails is 25% short of MoCo’s new requirements and 30% short of NOAA’s.
NOAA Atlas 14 Rainfall Totals for the Lake Houston Area. Brooklyn Trails is 3 miles from Lake Houston but 20 miles from Conroe.
In fact, the rate A&S used (12.17 inches) corresponds to a 10- to 25-year rain by NOAA’s new standards, not a 100-year rain.
A&S Engineers Certify No Adverse Impact
A&S concluded on page 10 of its analysis that “…the proposed excavation/fill will cause no increase to the base flood elevation, and the proposed excavation/fill will have no adverse impact to the drainage on, from, or through adjacent properties.”
That may be true if you base all your calculations on rainfall that’s 30% less than NOAA’s best available statistics. Or even the new MoCo numbers. But, in fact, we get more rain.
Both Montgomery County and City of Houston signed off on the A&S plans. The City signed in January before the Elm Grove floods. Montgomery County signed after the Elm Grove floods – on 10/1/19.
There’s time to fix this before the development is built out. But that window is rapidly closing.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/12/2020
1140 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 389 since Imelda
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/2019/10/NOAA-Atlas-14-Rainfall-Rates-for-Kingwood.png?fit=976%2C828&ssl=1828976adminadmin2020-10-12 22:12:262020-10-12 22:49:24MoCo Development on Ben’s Branch Understates Current Detention Pond Requirement by 30%
Railroad Commission To Start Bidding Cleanup of Forest Cove Oilfields, Even as They Battle Thieves
When Noxxe Oil & Gas declared bankruptcy in February of this year, the company left behind dozens of pump jacks, tanks, trucks and other pieces of oilfield equipment that Harvey destroyed in Forest Cove. The Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) seized the assets but has been slow to clean up the mess. As a result, thieves and TRRC are now engaged in a low-stakes game of tug-of-war – to the victor goes the scrap metal. But the TRRC says it will soon start a cleanup of this site.
Vultures Picking Over Noxxe’s Bones
I ran a story several weeks ago about this heating tower on Marina Drive in Forest Cove. I’ve nicknamed Marina Drive “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” That’s because of the dozens of townhomes destroyed there by Harvey.
Towers like the one below separate oil, gas and water. I had photographed it several times. Then, about a month ago, I noticed it toppled.
I thought the tower had “fallen.” But an astute TRRC investigator pointed out the steel wire draped over the top of the tank below.
After a couple cases of beer, I’m sure Jim Bob and Bubba felt this would be pretty light work. But the tower is made out of solid steel that is 1.5 inches thick – about the thickness of Jim Bob’s and Bubba’s brains put together. They had to abandon their efforts – until they got more beer.
Tower in a Tug of War
The thieves later came back and managed to drag the hefty tower into the middle of Marina Drive. See below.
But according to the Railroad Commission, the tower weighs 6-8 tons.
“Think that will fit into the trunk, Jim Bob?”
The tower weighs more than two F150s plus a dozen rib dinners from Dickey’s. Translation: that ain’t fitting in the trunk…or a U-Haul, no matter how much beer they brought along. It would squash the tires like roaches.
When notified that the unit was blocking the Boulevard of Broken Dreams and putting dopers in danger, TRRC returned with a tractor and a winch. They tried to haul it off, too, but gave up when it nearly broke the winch. They determined that only a crane will lift it. So they pushed the heater treater back near its original pad. See below.
Art of Jungle Warfare Elevated
TRRC then mined the area with thousands of razor-sharp brambles; sweet-gum balls; and twisted, torn chain link fencing. Steel-toed shoes are no match. These defenses could even take out the tires of a dually.
Someone may yet steal this steel. But they will pay a heavy price. TRRC has taken jungle warfare to the next level. Ho Chi Minh could have learned a thing or two from the Railroad Commission.
Forest Cove Cleanup Now Named a Priority Project
According to Dean Southward, the TRRC District Cleanup Coordinator, Noxxe’s Forest Cove Properties have been elevated to the status of a priority project. The Commission’s budget has recycled and Southward says he will soon start bidding the cleanup. Forest Cove homeowners and Little League players will rejoice. Maybe we will hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing by Christmas.
In the meantime, folks, unless you have a very good chiropractor, stay away from the Noxxe Lease.
Thanks to Dan Huberty for his help in getting the TRRC to name this a priority.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/14/2020
1142 Days after 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.
First Members of Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force Appointed, Rehak Among Them
On 8/11/2020, Harris County Commissioners Court approved creation of a new Community Flood Resilience Task Force (CFRTF). The first five of 17 appointments to the Task Force have been made by the County Judge and each of the four Commissioners. The first five will select the remaining members.
I seldom insert myself in a story. But it will be impossible not to in this case. Read on.
Purpose of Community Flood Resilience Task Force
According to the bylaws approved in commissioners court, the purpose of the CFRTF is to serve in an advisory capacity to the County’s Infrastructure Resilience Team and the Harris County Commissioners Court. The CFRTF will promote collaboration among stakeholders. The Task Force will also encourage equitable resilience planning and flood resilience projects that:
Task Force Objectives
CFRTF objectives include:
Rundown on Five Initial Members
The five members appointed by the Judge and Commissioners include:
Remaining Members Will Be Selected by the End of the Year
The remaining 12 members of the Task Force will be selected by the five members above. To date, there have been no official meetings as the final member, Rehak, was approved today.
Composition of the final 17 member task force must include at least:
Competency Areas
Remaining members should be selected by the end of this calendar year.
A Personal Note
I didn’t seek this position. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle nominated me. I accepted his nomination and feel honored. I promise to make the proceedings of this group as open and transparent as possible. That is one of the core objectives. And ReduceFlooding.com provides an ideal platform to help achieve that. If you have input that could help the task force, please feel free to email me through the Contact Page on this web site. In the meantime, I will continue posting as I have since Harvey about the causes of flooding and ways to mitigate it.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/13/2020
1141 Days since Hurricane Harvey
MoCo Development on Ben’s Branch Understates Current Detention Pond Requirement by 30%
Camcorp Management is building a new high-density development in Montgomery County called Brooklyn Trails on a tributary of Ben’s Branch upstream from Kingwood. The development’s detention pond is apparently 30% smaller than new Atlas-14 regulations would require for this area.
The developer’s engineering company (A&S Enginners, Inc. at 10377 Stella Link in Houston) submitted its drainage analysis for approval on December 15, 2018, just days before new MoCo regulations went into effect on January 1, 2019. They would have required more detention capacity. And that would have meant fewer salable lots.
Ben’s Branch cuts diagonally through Kingwood. It goes through three commercial areas: Northpark, Town Center and Kings Harbor. Bear Branch Elementary, Kingwood High School and the Humble ISD instructional center all border Ben’s Branch, not to mention hundreds of homes and St. Martha Catholic Church.
Atlas 14 Never Apparently Discussed
I filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the drainage analysis and correspondence relating thereto. The documents show that the subject of Atlas-14 apparently never arose as Montgomery County reviewed the plans.
Montgomery County bases its 100-year/24-hour rainfall rate on Conroe (the County seat). Despite variations within the county from north to south, adopting the Conroe rate makes it easier for developers to calculate detention requirements. Some parts of the county have no gages. However, the uniform rate also understates the detention needed for new developments in the fast growing southern part of the county, which receives more rain.
Differences Between Three Rates
The three different rates referenced above for the 24-hour 100-year rain break down as follows:
A&S Engineers Certify No Adverse Impact
A&S concluded on page 10 of its analysis that “…the proposed excavation/fill will cause no increase to the base flood elevation, and the proposed excavation/fill will have no adverse impact to the drainage on, from, or through adjacent properties.”
That may be true if you base all your calculations on rainfall that’s 30% less than NOAA’s best available statistics. Or even the new MoCo numbers. But, in fact, we get more rain.
Why do engineers whose first responsibility is protect the safety of the public do stuff like this! Because MoCo allowed it. And because increasing the size of the detention pond would likely have reduced the number of salable lots.
This is the same game that LJA Engineering played when it calculated detention requirements for Woodridge Village. Then hundreds of homes in Elm Grove flooded twice with sheet flow from Woodridge Village. Harris County Flood Control and the City of Houston have been mired in negotiations with Perry Homes for most of this year trying to buy the land. They want to put a regional floodwater detention facility on it to prevent further floods.
Potential Adverse Impacts
In my opinion, this drainage scheme could harm people downstream, adjoining property owners, and even homeowners within Brooklyn Trails.
Time to Fix is Running Out
Everyone who lives or works near Ben’s Branch should be concerned.
Camcorp the developer plans to put 414 homes with average size of .12 acres on this property. Such high density development will accelerate runoff.
To make matters worse, it’s unclear whether all the detention ponds downstream in Woodridge Forest are functional.
Both Montgomery County and City of Houston signed off on the A&S plans. The City signed in January before the Elm Grove floods. Montgomery County signed after the Elm Grove floods – on 10/1/19.
There’s time to fix this before the development is built out. But that window is rapidly closing.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/12/2020
1140 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 389 since Imelda
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.