Houston City Council Member Dave Martin reminds residents of an upcoming Mobile Hurricane Harvey Recovery Center event taking place in Huffman tonight. Intake specialists will be available to assist families with guidance on recovery programs and resources under the City of Houston Homeowner Assistance Program.
Harvey Damage. Photo courtesy of Melissa Sturgis.
The event will take place on/at:
Monday, April 15
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
May Community Center
2100 Wolf Road, Huffman, TX 77336
Take Survey First: Online, By Phone or In Person
If you were affected by Hurricane Harvey, please take the Harvey Recovery Survey before the upcoming event:
The Recovery Survey directs residents to the appropriate recovery program and helps prioritize those with urgent needs. The survey requires no documentation and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. While priority will be given to low- and moderate-income homeowners, assistance is available to homeowners of all income levels. An Intake Specialist will contact you after you complete the Survey regarding next steps.
If you need assistance filling out the Survey, please call 832-393-0550 or visit one of the stationary HRC’s. The closest is at: Northeast: 9551 N. Wayside, Houston, Texas 77028.
It is open Monday and Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. These centers are closed on Sundays. For a map, please click here.
$1.17 Billion in Assistance Available
The City received the $1.17 billion for housing recovery through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Texas General Land Office. The recovery funds include the HoAP, which offers five program options including:
Reimbursement for completed repairs
Homeowner-managed rehabilitation
City-managed rehabilitation and reconstruction
Buyouts
Interim mortgage assistance.
For more information, regarding this project please contact the Houston Recovery Center by calling 832-393-0550.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 15, 2019
594 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_4619.jpg?fit=1500%2C1125&ssl=111251500adminadmin2019-04-15 10:54:222019-04-15 10:55:01Mobile Hurricane Harvey Recovery Center Coming to Huffman April 15
Callan Marine, a subcontractor to Great Lakes on the job is still hard at work clearing the Kings Harbor area. Over the next 30 days, the Army Corps forecasts that Callan will remove an additional 125,000 cubic yards of material from the West Fork,” said Alton Meyer, Corps Project Manager.
Callan Marine Dredge still hard at work in Kings Harbor area.
Unless FEMA, Army Corps, City of Houston, Harris County and State of Texas can strike a deal to remove the giant sand bar at the mouth of the West Fork, demobilization will begin in early May, roughly two weeks from now. For now, Great Lakes is standing by, waiting for that decision.
Dredging Highlights To Date
The video above shows some of the highlights of the current project. The Army Corps produced it.
As of April 11, 2019, the Corps and contractors had removed 652 tons of woody debris and 1,547,000 cubic yards of sand from the river.
The Corps estimates that by the completion date, 720 tons of woody debris and 1,684,000 cubic yards of sand will be removed from this 2-mile stretch of the San Jacinto.
The project began September 20, 2018, and should finish by the end of May, 2019.
Mouth-Bar Considerations
Planners now need to determine whether to extend the project by dredging the mouth bar. That would keep the crew and equipment working. And that could save, at least in theory, approximately $18 million in remobilization fees compared to pulling out now and coming back later.
Planners are evaluating:
How much sediment Harvey deposited in the mouth bar area
The cost to remove it
Where to place it.
All three variables affect each other. That makes costing the alternatives complex. For instance, the further upriver you pump the sand, the higher the cost for any given volume. That’s because you need additional pipeline, booster pumps, fuel, pontoons and crew.
Of the three variables, decidingwhere to place the sediment is the most time consuming. By Federal law, permitting the placement site requires two mandatory 30-day public-comment periods.
Thus, it may be technically possible to keep the equipment working and save remobilization fees – if FEMA can make a decision quickly enough.
A third possibility: using a combination of two placement areas, as in the current project.
While FEMA and the Corps weigh their options and costs, Great Lakes is repairing its equipment and inspecting pipeline. Mouth-bar dredging already has support of the City of Houston, Harris County and the State.
A decision could come in the next week or two.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/15/19
594 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/USACE-Video-Key-Frame.jpg?fit=1500%2C819&ssl=18191500adminadmin2019-04-15 06:07:182019-04-15 11:24:52Army Corps Releases New Video of West Fork Dredging Highlights
Approximately two-thirds of this legislative session has expired. The maximum length for a legislative session in Texas is 140 days starting on the second Tuesday in January. We are 96 days into this session. So where do we stand on key pieces of legislation related to sand mining and other flood mitigation? A quick update.
With 42 more days left in this legislative session, chances are looking good for flood mitigation legislation but slim for sand mining legislation.
Proposed Legislation in House
HB13 Creates a flood infrastructure fund of $3.26 billion taken from the Economic Stabilization (Rainy Day) fund for flood planning, mitigation, and infrastructure projects. (Comparable to SB7 below but with some differences.) This bill finally passed the House on April 11 and was sent to the Senate on the same day.
HB509 Allows Texas Railroad Commission to regulate APOs with TCEQ. Requires: hydrologic impact study, public notice, public hearings, and provides fines up to $10,000 and 1-year in jail for false statements. The Energy Resources Committee held a public hearing on April 8. Opponents says six of 11 members on the committee oppose the bill. It is still pending in committee. They could act on it as early as April 15. If you haven’t sent in your letters let, time is running out on this one.
HB 907 Doubles the penalties for not registering a sand mining operation. New penalties can range from $10,000 to $20,000 per year with the total not to exceed $50,000. Scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, April 17.
HB 908 Provides for penalties up to $50,000 for water code violations and every-other-year inspections. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 909 Calls for the TCEQ to adopt and publish best management practices for sand mines (aggregate production operations) that comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 911. Creates a Lake Houston Watershed Commission: Purpose: to provide the public with streamlined communication and cooperation in flood control planning. Public hearing held on March 19 and has been pending in the Natural Resources Committee ever since.
HB 1671. Extends water quality protections to the West Fork of the San Jacinto currently enjoyed by the John Graves District on the Brazos as part of a pilot program. Attaches penalties for non-compliance with best practices defined under HB909. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 2871. Would require sand mines and other aggregate production operations to acquire a reclamation permit and to file a performance bond ensuring reclamation. Significantly, they would have to do both of these things before they could acquire a production permit. It also attaches civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. The Energy Resources Committee also held a public hearing on this bill on April 8. Six of 11 members reportedly oppose the bill. It is still pending in committee. They could act on this one, too, as early as April 15. If you haven’t sent in your letters yet, act now.
Proposed Legislation In Senate
SB 7. Creates a dedicated Texas Infrastructure Fund for flood control planning and the funding of flood planning, mitigation, and infrastructure projects. Passed by the Senate and referred to House Natural Resources Committee on March 28. No action since then.
SB500. An appropriations bill that includes funding for SB7 and an amendment that would dedicate $30 million for dredging of the West Fork Mouth Bar in Lake Houston. Passed by both houses and heading for a conference committee to iron out slight differences in amendments.
SB2123. Companion bill identical to HB907. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2124. Companion bill, identical to HB909. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2125. Companion bill, identical to HB908. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2126. Would allow conservation districts to dredge rivers without a permit to restore conveyance if they place the spoils on private land. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
42 Days Left
With only 42 days left before the end of the session, the chances for flood mitigation legislation look hopeful. However the chances for sand mining regulation look doubtful. Near the end of the third quarter, TACA and the status quo are up 10-0 over Citizens.
In exactly six weeks, the clock will run out and it will be two more years for resident’s next shot at sand mining regulation. Stay tuned.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 13, 2019
592 Days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2019-04-13 19:43:212019-04-13 19:44:06Time Running Out for Legislation On Sand Mining
Mobile Hurricane Harvey Recovery Center Coming to Huffman April 15
Houston City Council Member Dave Martin reminds residents of an upcoming Mobile Hurricane Harvey Recovery Center event taking place in Huffman tonight. Intake specialists will be available to assist families with guidance on recovery programs and resources under the City of Houston Homeowner Assistance Program.
The event will take place on/at:
Take Survey First: Online, By Phone or In Person
If you were affected by Hurricane Harvey, please take the Harvey Recovery Survey before the upcoming event:
The Recovery Survey directs residents to the appropriate recovery program and helps prioritize those with urgent needs. The survey requires no documentation and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. While priority will be given to low- and moderate-income homeowners, assistance is available to homeowners of all income levels. An Intake Specialist will contact you after you complete the Survey regarding next steps.
If you need assistance filling out the Survey, please call 832-393-0550 or visit one of the stationary HRC’s. The closest is at: Northeast: 9551 N. Wayside, Houston, Texas 77028.
It is open Monday and Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. These centers are closed on Sundays. For a map, please click here.
$1.17 Billion in Assistance Available
The City received the $1.17 billion for housing recovery through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Texas General Land Office. The recovery funds include the HoAP, which offers five program options including:
For more information, regarding this project please contact the Houston Recovery Center by calling 832-393-0550.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 15, 2019
594 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Army Corps Releases New Video of West Fork Dredging Highlights
Last week I reported that Great Lakes finished dredging its segment of the San Jacinto West Fork. Their dredge is currently docked, but is not yet undergoing demobilization.
Callan Marine, a subcontractor to Great Lakes on the job is still hard at work clearing the Kings Harbor area. Over the next 30 days, the Army Corps forecasts that Callan will remove an additional 125,000 cubic yards of material from the West Fork,” said Alton Meyer, Corps Project Manager.
Dredging Highlights To Date
The video above shows some of the highlights of the current project. The Army Corps produced it.
As of April 11, 2019, the Corps and contractors had removed 652 tons of woody debris and 1,547,000 cubic yards of sand from the river.
The Corps estimates that by the completion date, 720 tons of woody debris and 1,684,000 cubic yards of sand will be removed from this 2-mile stretch of the San Jacinto.
The project began September 20, 2018, and should finish by the end of May, 2019.
Mouth-Bar Considerations
Planners now need to determine whether to extend the project by dredging the mouth bar. That would keep the crew and equipment working. And that could save, at least in theory, approximately $18 million in remobilization fees compared to pulling out now and coming back later.
Planners are evaluating:
All three variables affect each other. That makes costing the alternatives complex. For instance, the further upriver you pump the sand, the higher the cost for any given volume. That’s because you need additional pipeline, booster pumps, fuel, pontoons and crew.
Of the three variables, decidingwhere to place the sediment is the most time consuming. By Federal law, permitting the placement site requires two mandatory 30-day public-comment periods.
Great Lakes’ early finish pressured planners to evaluate Placement Area #2 (south of Kingwood College on Sorters Road) as an alternative placement area. Because it is already permitted, it would not require the lengthy public comment periods. And because the land owner is selling the sediment placed there, it is not filling up as quickly as Placement Area #1.
Thus, it may be technically possible to keep the equipment working and save remobilization fees – if FEMA can make a decision quickly enough.
A third possibility: using a combination of two placement areas, as in the current project.
While FEMA and the Corps weigh their options and costs, Great Lakes is repairing its equipment and inspecting pipeline. Mouth-bar dredging already has support of the City of Houston, Harris County and the State.
A decision could come in the next week or two.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/15/19
594 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Time Running Out for Legislation On Sand Mining
Approximately two-thirds of this legislative session has expired. The maximum length for a legislative session in Texas is 140 days starting on the second Tuesday in January. We are 96 days into this session. So where do we stand on key pieces of legislation related to sand mining and other flood mitigation? A quick update.
Proposed Legislation in House
HB13 Creates a flood infrastructure fund of $3.26 billion taken from the Economic Stabilization (Rainy Day) fund for flood planning, mitigation, and infrastructure projects. (Comparable to SB7 below but with some differences.) This bill finally passed the House on April 11 and was sent to the Senate on the same day.
HB509 Allows Texas Railroad Commission to regulate APOs with TCEQ. Requires: hydrologic impact study, public notice, public hearings, and provides fines up to $10,000 and 1-year in jail for false statements. The Energy Resources Committee held a public hearing on April 8. Opponents says six of 11 members on the committee oppose the bill. It is still pending in committee. They could act on it as early as April 15. If you haven’t sent in your letters let, time is running out on this one.
HB 907 Doubles the penalties for not registering a sand mining operation. New penalties can range from $10,000 to $20,000 per year with the total not to exceed $50,000. Scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, April 17.
HB 908 Provides for penalties up to $50,000 for water code violations and every-other-year inspections. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 909 Calls for the TCEQ to adopt and publish best management practices for sand mines (aggregate production operations) that comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 911. Creates a Lake Houston Watershed Commission: Purpose: to provide the public with streamlined communication and cooperation in flood control planning. Public hearing held on March 19 and has been pending in the Natural Resources Committee ever since.
HB 1671. Extends water quality protections to the West Fork of the San Jacinto currently enjoyed by the John Graves District on the Brazos as part of a pilot program. Attaches penalties for non-compliance with best practices defined under HB909. Has been sitting in the Environmental Regulation Committee since February 25. No hearings scheduled yet.
HB 2871. Would require sand mines and other aggregate production operations to acquire a reclamation permit and to file a performance bond ensuring reclamation. Significantly, they would have to do both of these things before they could acquire a production permit. It also attaches civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. The Energy Resources Committee also held a public hearing on this bill on April 8. Six of 11 members reportedly oppose the bill. It is still pending in committee. They could act on this one, too, as early as April 15. If you haven’t sent in your letters yet, act now.
Proposed Legislation In Senate
SB 7. Creates a dedicated Texas Infrastructure Fund for flood control planning and the funding of flood planning, mitigation, and infrastructure projects. Passed by the Senate and referred to House Natural Resources Committee on March 28. No action since then.
SB500. An appropriations bill that includes funding for SB7 and an amendment that would dedicate $30 million for dredging of the West Fork Mouth Bar in Lake Houston. Passed by both houses and heading for a conference committee to iron out slight differences in amendments.
SB2123. Companion bill identical to HB907. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2124. Companion bill, identical to HB909. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2125. Companion bill, identical to HB908. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
SB2126. Would allow conservation districts to dredge rivers without a permit to restore conveyance if they place the spoils on private land. No action since referral to Natural Resources and Economic Development committee on March 21.
42 Days Left
With only 42 days left before the end of the session, the chances for flood mitigation legislation look hopeful. However the chances for sand mining regulation look doubtful. Near the end of the third quarter, TACA and the status quo are up 10-0 over Citizens.
In exactly six weeks, the clock will run out and it will be two more years for resident’s next shot at sand mining regulation. Stay tuned.
Posted by Bob Rehak on April 13, 2019
592 Days since Hurricane Harvey