Yesterday, I posted about how greater setbacks from rivers could improve safety for sand mines and downstream residents. Setbacks reduce the potential for erosion, sedimentation and consequent flooding. Here’s a related post that shows what happens when you try to build too close to rivers.
Note repairs to dike. I took this photo two weeks after Harvey.
First, understand that the closer you mine to the river, the steeper the slope of dikes must be. At a certain point, the slope becomes so steep that:
Grasses and trees can’t take root in it.
The loose soil becomes prone to erosion.
During floods, water in the river rises faster than in the pit.
Depending on the depth of the pit, the volume of sediment in it, and the force of the flood, sediment could be carried downstream.
Another factor leading to dike collapse in the photo above is the road built on top of it. Running heavy equipment over the sandy soil causes it to compact and push outward. Vehicle traffic also keeps vegetation that could bind the soil from growing.
Accidents Waiting to Happen
It doesn’t take a Harvey-scale flood to breach these loose dikes. The unmemorable July 4th flood of last year breached the dike shown above.
Repairs to one of three dike breaches at a sand mine in Dec. 7 flood last year. Photo by Don Harbour Jr.
Here’s another breach at the same mine that hadn’t yet healed when I photographed it on September 28th last year.
Site of a breach in the dike of a sand mine. Note how the loss of vegetation has led to erosion and sloughing in the sandy soil.
When such breaches happen on both sides of a point bar, the river will “capture” the pit by rerouting through it – the shortest distance between two points.
West Fork sand mines on 8/30/17, one day after the peak from from Harvey
West Fork vs. East Fork and Value of Riparian Vegetation
Almost all of these problems could be solved by greater setbacks from rivers. That would retain more natural riparian vegetation and allow lower, more gradual slopes on dikes. It would also allow additional re-vegetation to take hold.
Shooting across the West Fork from on top of the dike shown in the first photo above. Note how loose the soil was in the foreground and how difficult it is to establish vegetation on the opposite shore in the middleground. Floods have torn away the erosion blankets trying to establish grass on the steep slopes.
Imagine 131,000 cubic feet per second ripping through a channel like this. That’s how much came down this portion of the West Fork at the peak of Harvey. It’s easy to see how the river could erode these dikes and invade the mines.
That’s why we need greater setbacks. It will allow more conveyance through the normal channel. And if we just leave native negation in place, it should help hold the dikes in place.
Now contrast the images above with this one taken on a portion of the East Fork where there are no sand mines.
Lush riparian vegetation and trees held the banks in place during Harvey.
Here’s another.
Offsetting Opportunity Costs with Conservation Easements
Mother Nature’s solution to sedimentation is free. If we could only just learn to respect the river and its flood plains. Yes, there would still be some sedimentation to deal with, but not nearly as much.
The loss of sand close to the river is an opportunity cost, not an out-of-pocket cost. Groups like the Bayou Land Conservancy can help offset some of that opportunity cost by providing income in exchange for conservation easements. I wish miners would explore this option more…for everyone’s benefit including theirs. It certainly might reduce their legal costs.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 27, 2019
606 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BankErosion_01.jpg?fit=1500%2C864&ssl=18641500adminadmin2019-04-26 21:28:102019-04-26 21:28:51Earth Week Part 4: Slope of Sand Mine Dikes, Riparian Vegetation and Cost Offsets
Houston City Council Member Dave Martin announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to remove sand and siltation from the Lake Houston mouth bar.
History of Project
In 2018, USACE first began removing debris deposited during Hurricane Harvey from the San Jacinto River under FEMA Mission Assignment (DR 4332). The assignment directed USACE to restore the river to pre-Harvey conditions.
DR 4332 has removed debris from three out of four identified sections of the San Jacinto River. Contractors should finish the last segment (shown in blue below) in May.
Original segments identified by USACE. The orange and green segments are complete. The blue segment should be finished with another week or so. And the purple segment is the one yet to be done – including the mouth bar.
FEMA did not approve the fourth section, in the original scope of work for DR 4332. Last month, the City of Houston filed an application for mouth bar removal as well as an additional dredge material disposal site. FEMA and USACE have been reviewing it since then, according to Council Member Martin.
The State of Texas, the City of Houston, as well as multiple stakeholders from the Lake Houston area, requested FEMA to expedite authorization of a Mission Assignment for debris removal and dredging of the mouth bar while the equipment is still in the river. The hope: to save taxpayers the cost of a second mobilization effort. Mobilization for the first assignment cost approximately $18 million.
FEMA Issues Directive of Mission Assignment
At a meeting last week in Austin, FEMA issued a directive of Mission Assignment to USACE for dredging of the mouth bar at the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.
The City requested removal of 1.4 million cubic yards of sediment. It is unclear at this time how much FEMA will fund, exactly where it will be stored, and whether matching funds will come from other sources. FEMA, TDEM, City of Houston, and USACE are still working to determine the amount of silt deposited by Hurricane Harvey.
Dredging of Final Segment To Begin Within 30 Days
Martin hopes the calculation will be finalized next week, and expects dredging to begin within 30 days.
The Great Lakes Dredge is still docked at the USACE Command Post while it awaits FEMA and USACE to finalize mouth bar dredging details with the City and State.
Kudos to Mission Team
In his press release, Martin issued “a huge thank you to our federal partners Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Field Representative for Congressman Crenshaw, Kaaren Cambio, Congressman Kevin Brady, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator John Cornyn for their support as they have all been meeting regularly with FEMA and discussing this project.”
“This is a huge project for our area,” said Martin, “and it would not be possible without the on-going support and push from Governor Greg Abbott and Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), as well as Mayor Sylvester Turner and Stephen Costello, Chief Recovery Officer – City of Houston.”
Martin also gave additional thanks to Jenna Armstrong and Mark Mitchell from the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce for coordinating a letter writing campaign.
Breathing a Bit Easier Tonight
During floods earlier this year, I noticed a ten foot difference at times at gauges on either side of the mouth bar. It is acting like a dam behind the dam.
With the start of Hurricane season on June 1, residents of Kingwood and Humble will breathe a little easier tonight. Hopefully, the Corps and its contractors will be able to at least dredge a channel through the mouth bar area before the peak of the Atlantic season from mid-August through September.
The SJRA has agreed to continue lowering Lake Conroe during that period by 2 feet versus its normal level as an additional buffer against flooding.
My thanks to Council Member Dave Martin for pushing this project so tirelessly, and to Kaaren Cambio and Mark Micheletti for leading to effort to lower Lake Conroe again this year. Neither effort has been easy. Finally, kudos also to Tim Garfield and R.D. Kissling, two local retired geologists for their efforts in helping people understand the dangers posed by the mouth bar.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 26, 2019
605 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Segments.jpg?fit=1500%2C821&ssl=18211500adminadmin2019-04-26 16:52:392019-04-26 18:48:17Houston Council Member Dave Martin Issues Mouth Bar Update
Other states recommend from 100- to 1000-foot setbacks. Some prohibit building in floodways and flood plains. All but one sand mine on the San Jacinto lie at least partially in floodways. This leads to frequent dike breaches which, I believe, contribute to downstream sedimentation and flooding. Yet legislation that could increase setbacks and safety remains bottled up in committees.
Benefits of Setbacks
Greater setbacks would remove mines from the fiercest currents during floods. Leaving vegetation in place between the mine and the river would also help bind soil, reduce erosion, protect mines stockpiles, slow currents entering mines, help trap any sand leaving mines, and improve public safety.
Memorial Day Flood in 2015 ruptured the dikes on these sand mines on both sides of the West Fork.
Miners’ Objections to Setbacks
I queried several miners and the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association (TACA) about why they felt compelled to mine so close to rivers. The answer (I’m paraphrasing now): because there’s less overburden, they have greater efficiencies that are important in a low margin business.
That makes sense until you realize that some of these mines are more than two miles wide. That’s wide enough so that parts didn’t even flood during Harvey. And I have to believe that:
…if sand on the perimeter was unprofitable, they wouldn’t mine it.
…if mining in the floodway were prohibited, no one would be at a competitive disadvantage.
Dubious Relationship Between Growth and Mining Near River
For generations, the mining industry has positioned itself as “the driver of growth.” And it has sought concessions from state legislators to perpetuate growth. Like all myths, there’s some truth to this one. But when you look closely, any argument for lax regulation rapidly disappears.
While over-regulation can certainly hurt an economy, sensible regulation can help it. If aircraft manufacturers tolerated crashes, people would not fly.
When you look at the opposite end of the spectrum, the two states LOSING the most population are West Virginia and Wyoming – both big mining states with lax regulations.
So clearly, lax regulation is not creating growth and tougher regulation is not stifling it. So why is it so hard to get mining regulation that protects citizens, property and the environment?
Status of Mining Legislation
Here is where Texas stands on proposed sand mining legislation.
No bill opposed by TACA has made it out of committee so far this year.
Two bills supported by TACA have reached the floors of the Senate and the House:
SB 2126 which could actually allow mining IN rivers, not just their floodplains.
HB 907 which doubles fines against unregistered miners (not TACA’s problem).
All the rest are still bottled up in committee tonight with only 34 more days remaining in the session:
HB509 which requires a hydrologic impact study, public notice, and public hearings before permitting
HB908 which strengthens fines for water code violations and increases inspection rates
HB909 which calls for the TCEQ to adopt and publish best management practices for mining
HB1671 which would enforce those best practices on the San Jacinto and require minimum setbacks
HB2871 which would require miners to post performance bonds, ensuring reclamation when they finish mining.
Seat Belt and Blowout Analogies
I am not against mining; I am FOR more responsible mining that protects citizens, property, the environment, and the image of Texas as a great place to live. Growth is far more complicated than the sand mining industry would have us believe.
Minimum setbacks will not destroy the state’s formula for growth. They’re a safety measure, like seat belts for Mother Earth against speeding, out-of-control floodwaters.
Arguing against them is reminiscent of the argument against putting seat belts and other safety features in cars 50 years ago. Remember Unsafe at Any Speed? At the time, some in industry claimed the extra cost would drive Detroit out of business. Those of us old enough to remember might say it was the beginning of Detroit’s rebirth.
Another more direct analogy: a hundred years ago, people drilled oils wells that routinely blew out. Erle P. Halliburton changed the industry with new cementing techniques that prevented blowouts and improved well control. In 1957, Oklahoma inducted Halliburton into its Hall of Fame. The world is a much safer place because of him.
Hurricane Harvey exposed the safety flaws in the assumptions underlying sand mining regulations. We have 34 days left in this legislative session. Let’s use them to enact some common sense legislation that improves the safety of mining and preserves the environment for our children.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/25/2019
604 Days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2019-04-25 23:14:092019-04-26 19:41:08Earth Week Part 3: Sand Mine Setbacks from Rivers
Earth Week Part 4: Slope of Sand Mine Dikes, Riparian Vegetation and Cost Offsets
Yesterday, I posted about how greater setbacks from rivers could improve safety for sand mines and downstream residents. Setbacks reduce the potential for erosion, sedimentation and consequent flooding. Here’s a related post that shows what happens when you try to build too close to rivers.
First, understand that the closer you mine to the river, the steeper the slope of dikes must be. At a certain point, the slope becomes so steep that:
Another factor leading to dike collapse in the photo above is the road built on top of it. Running heavy equipment over the sandy soil causes it to compact and push outward. Vehicle traffic also keeps vegetation that could bind the soil from growing.
Accidents Waiting to Happen
It doesn’t take a Harvey-scale flood to breach these loose dikes. The unmemorable July 4th flood of last year breached the dike shown above.
Another flood on December 7th last year breached a dike in another sand mine downstream from the first one in three places!
Here’s another breach at the same mine that hadn’t yet healed when I photographed it on September 28th last year.
When such breaches happen on both sides of a point bar, the river will “capture” the pit by rerouting through it – the shortest distance between two points.
West Fork vs. East Fork and Value of Riparian Vegetation
Almost all of these problems could be solved by greater setbacks from rivers. That would retain more natural riparian vegetation and allow lower, more gradual slopes on dikes. It would also allow additional re-vegetation to take hold.
Imagine 131,000 cubic feet per second ripping through a channel like this. That’s how much came down this portion of the West Fork at the peak of Harvey. It’s easy to see how the river could erode these dikes and invade the mines.
That’s why we need greater setbacks. It will allow more conveyance through the normal channel. And if we just leave native negation in place, it should help hold the dikes in place.
Now contrast the images above with this one taken on a portion of the East Fork where there are no sand mines.
Here’s another.
Offsetting Opportunity Costs with Conservation Easements
Mother Nature’s solution to sedimentation is free. If we could only just learn to respect the river and its flood plains. Yes, there would still be some sedimentation to deal with, but not nearly as much.
The loss of sand close to the river is an opportunity cost, not an out-of-pocket cost. Groups like the Bayou Land Conservancy can help offset some of that opportunity cost by providing income in exchange for conservation easements. I wish miners would explore this option more…for everyone’s benefit including theirs. It certainly might reduce their legal costs.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 27, 2019
606 Days after Hurricane Harvey
Houston Council Member Dave Martin Issues Mouth Bar Update
Houston City Council Member Dave Martin announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to remove sand and siltation from the Lake Houston mouth bar.
History of Project
In 2018, USACE first began removing debris deposited during Hurricane Harvey from the San Jacinto River under FEMA Mission Assignment (DR 4332). The assignment directed USACE to restore the river to pre-Harvey conditions.
DR 4332 has removed debris from three out of four identified sections of the San Jacinto River. Contractors should finish the last segment (shown in blue below) in May.
FEMA did not approve the fourth section, in the original scope of work for DR 4332. Last month, the City of Houston filed an application for mouth bar removal as well as an additional dredge material disposal site. FEMA and USACE have been reviewing it since then, according to Council Member Martin.
The State of Texas, the City of Houston, as well as multiple stakeholders from the Lake Houston area, requested FEMA to expedite authorization of a Mission Assignment for debris removal and dredging of the mouth bar while the equipment is still in the river. The hope: to save taxpayers the cost of a second mobilization effort. Mobilization for the first assignment cost approximately $18 million.
FEMA Issues Directive of Mission Assignment
At a meeting last week in Austin, FEMA issued a directive of Mission Assignment to USACE for dredging of the mouth bar at the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.
The City requested removal of 1.4 million cubic yards of sediment. It is unclear at this time how much FEMA will fund, exactly where it will be stored, and whether matching funds will come from other sources. FEMA, TDEM, City of Houston, and USACE are still working to determine the amount of silt deposited by Hurricane Harvey.
Dredging of Final Segment To Begin Within 30 Days
Martin hopes the calculation will be finalized next week, and expects dredging to begin within 30 days.
Kudos to Mission Team
In his press release, Martin issued “a huge thank you to our federal partners Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Field Representative for Congressman Crenshaw, Kaaren Cambio, Congressman Kevin Brady, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator John Cornyn for their support as they have all been meeting regularly with FEMA and discussing this project.”
“This is a huge project for our area,” said Martin, “and it would not be possible without the on-going support and push from Governor Greg Abbott and Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), as well as Mayor Sylvester Turner and Stephen Costello, Chief Recovery Officer – City of Houston.”
Martin also gave additional thanks to Jenna Armstrong and Mark Mitchell from the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce for coordinating a letter writing campaign.
Breathing a Bit Easier Tonight
During floods earlier this year, I noticed a ten foot difference at times at gauges on either side of the mouth bar. It is acting like a dam behind the dam.
With the start of Hurricane season on June 1, residents of Kingwood and Humble will breathe a little easier tonight. Hopefully, the Corps and its contractors will be able to at least dredge a channel through the mouth bar area before the peak of the Atlantic season from mid-August through September.
The SJRA has agreed to continue lowering Lake Conroe during that period by 2 feet versus its normal level as an additional buffer against flooding.
My thanks to Council Member Dave Martin for pushing this project so tirelessly, and to Kaaren Cambio and Mark Micheletti for leading to effort to lower Lake Conroe again this year. Neither effort has been easy. Finally, kudos also to Tim Garfield and R.D. Kissling, two local retired geologists for their efforts in helping people understand the dangers posed by the mouth bar.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 26, 2019
605 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Earth Week Part 3: Sand Mine Setbacks from Rivers
After a year and a half of investigating sand mining best practices around the US and the world, I concluded that Texas falls short of other states and countries on several measures. The single biggest opportunity for improvement: greater setbacks from rivers.
Benefits of Setbacks
Greater setbacks would remove mines from the fiercest currents during floods. Leaving vegetation in place between the mine and the river would also help bind soil, reduce erosion, protect mines stockpiles, slow currents entering mines, help trap any sand leaving mines, and improve public safety.
Miners’ Objections to Setbacks
I queried several miners and the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association (TACA) about why they felt compelled to mine so close to rivers. The answer (I’m paraphrasing now): because there’s less overburden, they have greater efficiencies that are important in a low margin business.
That makes sense until you realize that some of these mines are more than two miles wide. That’s wide enough so that parts didn’t even flood during Harvey. And I have to believe that:
Dubious Relationship Between Growth and Mining Near River
For generations, the mining industry has positioned itself as “the driver of growth.” And it has sought concessions from state legislators to perpetuate growth. Like all myths, there’s some truth to this one. But when you look closely, any argument for lax regulation rapidly disappears.
So why is leaving a floodway-wide buffer such a hardship? I’m still scratching my head. According to USA Today, three states have higher growth rates than Texas AND require minimum setbacks (Idaho, Washington and Arizona). So setbacks are not anti-business or a growth killer. Idaho is growing at 2.20%, Washington at 1.71% and Arizona at 1.56% according to USA Today. Texas is growing at 1.43%.
When you look at the opposite end of the spectrum, the two states LOSING the most population are West Virginia and Wyoming – both big mining states with lax regulations.
So clearly, lax regulation is not creating growth and tougher regulation is not stifling it. So why is it so hard to get mining regulation that protects citizens, property and the environment?
Status of Mining Legislation
Here is where Texas stands on proposed sand mining legislation.
No bill opposed by TACA has made it out of committee so far this year.
Two bills supported by TACA have reached the floors of the Senate and the House:
All the rest are still bottled up in committee tonight with only 34 more days remaining in the session:
Seat Belt and Blowout Analogies
I am not against mining; I am FOR more responsible mining that protects citizens, property, the environment, and the image of Texas as a great place to live. Growth is far more complicated than the sand mining industry would have us believe.
Minimum setbacks will not destroy the state’s formula for growth. They’re a safety measure, like seat belts for Mother Earth against speeding, out-of-control floodwaters.
Arguing against them is reminiscent of the argument against putting seat belts and other safety features in cars 50 years ago. Remember Unsafe at Any Speed? At the time, some in industry claimed the extra cost would drive Detroit out of business. Those of us old enough to remember might say it was the beginning of Detroit’s rebirth.
Another more direct analogy: a hundred years ago, people drilled oils wells that routinely blew out. Erle P. Halliburton changed the industry with new cementing techniques that prevented blowouts and improved well control. In 1957, Oklahoma inducted Halliburton into its Hall of Fame. The world is a much safer place because of him.
Hurricane Harvey exposed the safety flaws in the assumptions underlying sand mining regulations. We have 34 days left in this legislative session. Let’s use them to enact some common sense legislation that improves the safety of mining and preserves the environment for our children.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/25/2019
604 Days since Hurricane Harvey