Tag Archive for: Colony Ridge

Colony Ridge Victims Protest Proposed Settlement that Leaves Them Out

3/5/26 – On Friday 3/6/26, eight advocacy groups will protest a proposed settlement in two lawsuits involving the controversial Colony Ridge development in Liberty County. The State of Texas and U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau alleged fraudulent marketing and sales practices by Colony Ridge. The proposed settlement would correct those moving forward. However, it does nothing to compensate past victims.

Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge
Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge, photographed December 2020.

Parties Objecting to Proposed Settlement

The 30-page settlement proposed on February 9, 2026, requires Colony Ridge to invest $20 million to beef up law enforcement and $48 million to correct deficiencies in existing infrastructure. It also requires Colony Ridge to reform its marketing and sales practices going forward.

However, it does nothing to compensate the victims of past, alleged abuses. And as a result, eight advocacy groups have joined together to protest the settlement. They include:

  • National Fair Housing Alliance
  • National Consumer Law Center
  • UnidosUS
  • Public Justice
  • Center for Responsible Lending
  • Poverty and Race Research Action Council
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • League of United Latin American Citizens

At least one of the victims, Maria Acevedo, has also requested to testify tomorrow.

Basis of Amicus Brief

The advocacy groups’ 21-page amicus brief contends that a motion to join and seal the two cases…

“… improperly asks the court to approve and enforce relief that is unrelated to the pleaded case or the civil rights statutes under which it was brought, even as the proposed settlement fails to provide adequate relief to those harmed by the predatory and discriminatory scheme at issue.”

If the courts approved the proposed settlement, the cases would be over and sealed forever. But the settlement fails to provide any meaningful relief for those allegedly defrauded by Colony Ridge’s predatory lending practices, including:

  • Seller-financed mortgages that ignored borrowers’ ability to repay
  • Excessive fees
  • Omitting total costs to install and connect necessary infrastructure, such as water, sewer and electrical utilities
  • Misrepresenting flood risk and large expenses required to mitigate that risk
  • Exorbitant interest rates as high as 12.9% – three to five times the prevailing rate
  • Late fees on delinquent borrowers, compounding their inability to repay
  • Targeting Hispanics, but not providing closing documents in Spanish
  • Repeated and excessive foreclosures (an average of 298 per month comprising 92% of all foreclosures in Liberty County).

Colony Ridge repeatedly foreclosed on and then resold properties, profiting from any improvements made by previous buyers. The brief cites the case of one property sold four times in two years.

The amicus brief contends that the settlement proposes to “forfeit the meritorious claims alleged in the complaint, let Defendants off the hook, and leave consumers without compensation for the harms they have suffered.”

Scale of Alleged Harm

Although the brief does not provide exact figures, it says “tens of thousands” of consumers “lost thousands of dollars with little or nothing to show for the investments.” That would put total losses into the tens of millions of dollars.” Yet the agreement does not include any direct financial relief for consumers who lost money.

Colony Ridge
Colony Ridge Expansion in 2021. Colony Ridge is now 50% larger than Manhattan.

Nor does the proposed settlement provide any relief for those currently trapped in existing contracts. The original lawsuit sought an option to rescind sales contracts for families caught up in the scheme. However, the amicus brief says, “While the agreement creates a rescission option for future borrowers, [it] does nothing for existing consumers stuck in predatory contracts.”

Also, “It does not address the harm to the borrowers who purchased lots believing that they would not flood only to find that they did, or those who are stuck with unhabitable, flooded lots…”

Hearing Details

The Honorable Judge Alfred H. Bennett of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas/Houston Division will rule on the issues raised in the brief on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Three lawyers from Washington DC who represent the advocacy groups will oppose the proposed settlement.

For those who want to observe, the Federal Courthouse is at 515 Rusk Avenue, Houston, TX. The hearing is reportedly in Courtroom 9A at 10:30.

For More Information

For more information and perspectives, see these statements published by:

Democracy Forward

National Consumer Law Center

National Fair Housing Alliance

Trautman Pepper Locke Law Firm

LULAC

National Fair Housing Alliance

Maria Acevedo, a Colony Ridge victim, also hopes to testify tomorrow as an individual. See her personal letter to the court.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/5/26

3110 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.

Colony Ridge Settles Lawsuit with U.S., State of Texas

2/10/2026 – On 2/9/2026, Colony Ridge and its owners settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and State of Texas. The 30-page settlement includes:

  • Comprehensive reforms of the developer’s sales, marketing, and financing practices
  • A three-year moratorium on expansion
  • Public safety improvements
  • Establishment and enforcement of deed restrictions
  • Compliance with consumer protection laws
  • $20 million to beef up law enforcement
  • A $48 million plan to address deficiences in existing infrastructure.

The latter includes $18 million to address flooding and drainage issues. It also includes $30 million to address other infrastructure needs such as potable water, sewage, roads, and waste management.

The sprawling Colony Ridge in Liberty County grew 50% larger than Manhattan in just 15 years. It was accused of being a foreclosure mill with predatory, deceptive lending practices.

At least nine TCEQ investigations reprimanded Colony Ridge construction practices. The TCEQ even accused Colony Ridge of endangering human life.

Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge
Colony Ridge Parade of Homes

In 2023, the entire Texas Republican Congressional Delegation urged Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate Colony Ridge.

I wrote more than 75 posts about the development beginning in 2020. For more background see: History of Heartbreak: A Colony Ridge Chronicle. Below, I’ll summarize the major elements of the settlement.

While this settlement should vastly improve future development, it contains nothing to compensate past victims

Moratorium on Development

In exchange for resolving all the claims against it in 2023 lawsuits by the Department of Justice and State of Texas, Colony Ridge, its owners, employees and all affiliated entities have agreed to a moratorium on development. That means:

  • For two years, they will not seek new plats for direct-to-consumer sales.
  • After that, they may seek approval of new plats if they require new deed-restricted homes to be built prior to sale.
  • Colony Ridge will not seek platting of new subdivisions for three years unless the lots have deed restrictions. Further, newly platted subdivisions will require:
    • Compliance with all county permitting and construction requirements
    • New dwellings to be approved by an architectural control committee.

ILSA and Texas Property Code Compliance

The settlement requires Colony Ridge to comply with the Interstate Land Sales Act and the Texas Property Code. That means requiring purchasers to present:

  • An unexpired Texas driver’s license
  • A Texas-issued ID card, or
  • An unexpired passport and valid visa.

It also requires Colony Ridge to work with law enforcement to confirm buyers are not cartel members or on a terrorism watch list.

Finally, Colony Ridge must confirm that purchasers do not have a prohibited relationship with any ‘designated country’ including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. That’s to comply with the Texas Property Code.

Prohibition Against Discrimination

Colony Ridge has agreed to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act for all sales or rentals.

Hire A Compliance Specialist

At its own expense, Colony Ridge must hire a compliance specialist to ensure the owners, their corporate entities and their employees comply with all terms of the settlement.

Increasing Housing Affordability and Availability

Colony Ridge has agreed to reform its underwriting standards by:

  • Making sure buyers can repay their loans
  • Notifying buyers of ways to avoid default and rescind their sales agreements
  • Developing a default-avoidance plan including credit assessments, relief and remission options.
  • Addressing harm to borrowers credit, including removing negative credit reports
  • Developing a foreclosure policy that meaningfully reduces the number and frequency of foreclosures

Addressing Misrepresentations to Consumers

Colony Ridge has also agreed to truthfully and accurately describe the properties it has for sale and applicable loan terms. It will not advertise that all properties are “move in ready” or currently have “all city services.” The company will add appropriate limiting language or disclaimers to its advertisements.

Colony Ridge has also agreed to disclose loan terms, utility connections, flooding, wetlands, and readiness for use.

The flooding provision requires all plats to receive pre-development drainage and flood-control approval by the appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities.

Colony Ridge must disclose whether property is in the 100-year flood plain. The company must also disclose whether the buyer is responsible for leveling, grading, or otherwise filling the lot to provide proper drainage to culverts.

Re: cost, Colony Ridge must disclose the true total cost of the property to buyers including interest, closing costs, taxes, POA fees, etc. The company must also mail monthly statements.

Infrastructure Improvements

Within three months, Colony Ridge must develop and begin implementing a $48 million infrastructure improvement plan. Its goals: to reduce and prevent flooding, improve roads, provide for proper management of sewage and other waste, and invest in other projects designed to improve the habitability and public safety.

The company must develop a road drainage system capable of handling 10-year rains based on new Atlas 14 data. It must also build a 100-year-storm flood-control system.

The plan must prioritize fixing existing problems before developing new infrastructure.

Settlement Agreement, Page 12

Increased Law Enforcement Presence

The defendants must spend at least $20 million to increase a law enforcement presence in Colony Ridge. That includes building a DPS and County Constable sub-station, funding full-time law enforcement officers, supplying them with vehicles, and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.

Property Owners Association

The Property Owners Association (POA) must report to owners how their dues are expended. Previously, the dues were used to finance new development, not provide services to the people paying the dues.

Training and Complaint Procedures

Colony Ridge must now train its staff on how to comply with federal and state regulations. The company must explain how Colony Ridge previously fell short and also develop a “Nondiscrimination Policy and Complaint Procedure.”

Law Enforcement Support

Colony Ridge must develop a discount program that encourages law-enforcement officers to take up residence there.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Noncompliance with any of these provisions will land the owners back in court.

Not All Residents Happy

An activist named Maria Acevedo who bought property in Colony Ridge and was victimized by the company’s business practices was unhappy with the settlement. Her concern: It will protect people in the future, but doesn’t provide any compensation to people victimized in the past.

Said Acevedo, “The money used to pay penalties came from the very families who were scammed — it was our money, not Colony Ridge’s. We were victims.”

Another lady, Jennifer Stewart, a Huffman resident who has many friends living in and around Colony Ridge said, “I’m glad a settlement was reached, but the people who were truly harmed have not been made whole. That’s unconscionable.”

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/10/25

3087 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.

Colony Ridge Attempting to Settle Lawsuits, Avoid Trial

12/24/25 – The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas posted notice on 12/19/25 about an agreement in principle to settle pending lawsuits between several Colony Ridge entities, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Parties Working Out Final Details

The parties requested until 12/31/25 to work out all the details, but the judge gave them until 1/6/26. The lawsuit began in 2023. CFPB alleged that Colony Ridge operated a “foreclosure mill” with predatory lending practices. Separately, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that defendants violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) by targeting consumers of Hispanic origin with a predatory loan product.

DOJ and CFPB contend that the defendants operated an illegal land sales scheme that targeted tens of thousands of Hispanic borrowers with false statements and predatory loans.

Colony Ridge advertised property in Spanish, but allegedly provided closing documents in English to under-qualified or unqualified buyers who didn’t understand them.

The joint DOJ/CFPB press release said that Colony Ridge “sells unsuspecting families flood-prone land without water, sewer, or electrical infrastructure, and that the company sets borrowers up to fail with loans they cannot afford. Roughly 1-in-4 Colony Ridge loans ends in foreclosure, after which the company repurchases the properties and sells them to new borrowers.” It amounted, say the plaintiffs, to a “set-up-to-fail scheme that has led thousands of families to lose their dreams of homeownership.”

According to the press release at the time…

“Colony Ridge accounted for more than 92% of all foreclosures recorded in Liberty County between 2017 and 2022.”

Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge
Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge. Photo taken on Christmas Eve of 2020.
Colony Ridge Drainage
Example of Drainage in Colony Ridge. Photo taken New Year’s Day of 2021.

Flood Connection

The DOJ/CFPB complaints alleged that Colony Ridge employees fail to inform borrowers of flood risk when lots have repeatedly flooded in the past, or falsely tell them the lots have not flooded. In fact, in parts of the subdivision, rain causes significant flooding, causing raw sewage to run through or around borrowers’ property, and damaging their personal belongings. To see the original lawsuit, click here.

A separate lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton may also reportedly be close to settlement.

Together, the lawsuits affect potentially tens of thousands of people.

Why Litigants Often Settle

In general, a settlement that avoids a trial offers a set of well-recognized advantages including:

  1. Cost Control and Predictability
    • Reduces legal fees and expenses
    • Limits financial exposure at a known amount
    • Avoids open-ended risk of adverse verdicts with interest, creates budget certainty.
  2. Risk Reduction
    • Eliminates uncertain outcomes from juries, judges, evidentiary rulings, and witness credibility
    • Replaces a win/lose outcome with a negotiated result
    • Avoids catastrophic downside, such as runaway verdicts, punitive damages, injunctive relief
    • Limits worst-case scenarios.
  3. Time and Resource Efficiency
    • Faster resolution
    • Trials in state and federal courts can run on for years, including appeals
    • Lets organizations reallocate resources to core activities.
  4. Confidentiality and Information Control
    • Settlements can include confidentiality provisions, whereas trials produce public records, testimony, and findings
    • Protects sensitive information
    • Avoids public disclosure of internal documents, financial data, trade secrets, or politically sensitive communications.
  5. Control Over the Outcome
    • Lets parties shape result rather than delegating the outcome to a judge or jury
    • Can include operational changes, phased payments, land transfers, policy adjustments, or cooperative frameworks that courts may lack authority to impose.
  6. Relationship Preservation
    • Reduces adversarial escalation
    • Facilitates future cooperation.
  7. Reputational and Political Benefits
    • Lower public exposure; less media coverage and political attention
    • Resolves disputes quietly
    • Avoids adverse precedent or findings.
  8. Finality
    • Reduced appeal risk
    • Releases and waivers reduce likelihood of prolonged appeals
    • Closure; parties can move forward without lingering legal uncertainty.
  9. Strategic
    • Avoids creating case law that could constrain future actions or invite copy-cat litigation.

Bottom Line

A settlement that avoids trial primarily delivers:

  • Lower cost
  • Lower risk
  • Greater certainty
  • Faster resolution
  • Greater control
  • Reduced public exposure

These advantages explain why the vast majority of civil disputes—reportedly well over 90%—resolve through settlement rather than trial, even when one side believes it has a strong legal case.

Bottom Line for Colony Ridge Activist

Maria Acevedo, a Colony Ridge land purchaser who has struggled for years to draw attention to the development’s sales and development issues, is happy about the potential settlement.

But not because of any money she might get. She said, “This settlement acknowledges the legitimacy of claims that go back years.” Acevedo sees it as vindication. “But it can never fix the damages,” she says. “No amount of money can ever replace the quality of life that was lost.”

While a final settlement has not yet been reached, thousands of Colony Ridge victims will likely see the settlement in a similar light – as a bittersweet Christmas present.

Colony Ridge ditch erosion
Unprotected Colony Ridge ditch eroding into homeowners’ yards. Picture taken in 2023
FM 1010
FM1010 washout caused by excessive, uncontrolled runoff from ditch above has not been fixed since Hurricane Harvey. The loss of this major north/south artery has caused major delays for Colony Ridge and surrounding residents for years.

For More Information

For more information about life and loss in Colony Ridge, see a post I wrote called History of Heartbreak. It contains links to more than 75 posts about Colony Ridge. Those posts contain hundreds of photos showing conditions there.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/24/25

3039 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.

Conflict-of-Interest Ridden Colony Ridge Caught Operating without Permit, Polluting

11/20/25 – Maria Acevedo, a construction expert and environmental activist, observed a Colony Ridge cement contractor, Liberty Paving, operating without a permit. She also documented sediment runoff from the site that violated Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Best Management Practices (BMPs).

The lack of BMPs was polluting the surrounding area, which drains into the San Jacinto East Fork and has required tens of millions of dollars in dredging since the development of Colony Ridge began.

Acevedo reported the alleged violations to the TCEQ, which conducted its own investigation and issued a Notice of Enforcement.

Liberty Paving LLC, the contractor, has done more than $13 million worth of business for Liberty County Municipal Management District #1. Amazingly, the President of MMD #1 owns the paving contractor.

This letter from Attorney General Ken Paxton to members of Congress details a litany of other abuses and ethically ambiguous practices at Colony Ridge in Liberty County. Loopholes in Texas law big enough to drive cement trucks through enable them.

TCEQ Finds No Site Signage or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

When TCEQ investigated Acevedo’s complaint, it was not raining, so investigators could not confirm the allegations of runoff that Acevedo’s photos showed. However, TCEQ discovered that Liberty Paving was operating without coverage under the Construction General Permit, required site signage, and a mandatory Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Neither was the company employing best management practices.

As a result, TCEQ issued a Notice of Enforcement Letter. TCEQ’s report says that Liberty Paving knew of its responsibilities because of permits issued at other sites outside Colony Ridge, but failed to comply inside Colony Ridge.

What exactly does TCEQ mean when it issues a notice of enforcement for “failure to obtain coverage under the Construction General Permit”? According to ChatGPT, the permit regulates:

  • Stormwater runoff from construction activities
  • Erosion controls
  • Sediment controls
  • Pollution prevention practices

Because the site began construction without filing the required notice of intent:

  • Any stormwater discharges were unauthorized
  • Discharged pollutants, such as sediment, were illegal.
  • The operator is out of compliance with the Clean Water Act and Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System rules
  • Even if erosion controls were physically present, failure to obtain the permit still constitutes a violation.
Sediment escaping through improperly installed silt fence. Photo by Maria Acevedo.

Conflict of Interest?

John Harris, the Colony Ridge developer, lists himself as the president of T-Rex Management, Inc., the general partner of Liberty Paving, LLC. But Harris is also the current president of Liberty County MMD #1.

Minutes of MMD #1 show that in 2023, Harris’ brother was president of the MMD when it approved $13 million in payments to Liberty Paving.

In most states this would be a clear conflict of interest. But Texas allows it if the parties recuse themselves from voting on the contract/payment and disclose their conflicts of interest.

Mr. Harris was evidently present for one vote on paving payments, but absent for another. The minutes do not reflect whether he disclosed the conflict of interest.

That’s pretty academic, however, when four MMD board members have ties to the developer or Harris’ family.

One former state legislator who is an expert on MMDs told me that even if a board member recuses himself, other members of the board know how to vote through winks and nods, i.e., things that don’t get recorded in minutes. He raised some interesting questions. Are bids sealed? Are bids opened in public with all bidders present? And should the vote to accept a bid count if the board member who refrains from voting is necessary to make a quorum?

According to ChatGPT, Texas stands out nationally due to MMDs being allowed to:

  • Reimburse developers via taxpayer-backed bonds
  • Have developer-controlled boards
  • Contract with developer-owned companies
  • Reimburse developers for on-site infrastructure, including:
    • Roads
    • Water/sewer
    • Drainage
    • Detention ponds
    • Grading & clearing
    • Engineering costs

Most states allow reimbursement only for:

  • True regional infrastructure, or
  • Public facilities beyond subdivision boundaries.

Nor do other states allow developers to:

  • Form districts they control
  • Levy taxes on future residents
  • Reimburse themselves for subdivision improvements.

However, it’s standard practice in Texas for:

  • A developer to form a MMD or Municipal Utility District
  • The developer (or allied consultants) to serve on the board
  • The board to hire the developer’s own companies for construction, engineering, landscaping, or management
  • Taxpayers or landowners to repay the MMD or MUD through bonds or assessments.

Such practices are widely criticized as ethical conflicts of interest, even if they are not legal conflicts. They enable self-dealing and private gain from public-like financing powers. Yet it’s all technically legal if conflicts are disclosed and abstentions handled properly.

However, the Liberty County Attorney, Matthew Poston told Houston Landing…

“The scandal isn’t what is illegal. The scandal is what is legal.”

Matthew Poston, Liberty County Attorney
Colony Ridge
Colony Ridge Expansion in 2022.

Paxton Writes Scathing Colony Ridge Letter to Legislators

In Texas, the Attorney General does not normally police MMD self-dealing. However, two years ago, when illegal immigrant and consumer fraud scandals rocked Colony Ridge creating national headlines, Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a scathing letter to members of Congress about his offices’ findings.

Among other things, Paxton’s four-page letter details how:

  • Colony Ridge practices seem to contradict the intent of Texas lawmakers when they established MMDs
  • Minimal down-payment, high-interest loans with little identity verification lure non-citizens across the border
  • Fast growth and high crime create burdens on law enforcement, school districts, and neighboring areas
  • MMD #1 violates the intent of lawmakers
  • How MMD #1 bypasses bank scrutiny of its high risk activities contrary to the public interest
  • Unelected, unaccountable leaders are creating unsustainable growth of a “city” by catering to illegal aliens
  • How Colony Ridge is swamping taxpayers in the Cleveland ISD which caused it to more than triple in size
  • The people of Texas “never assented to the creation of a sprawling unincorporated, ungoverned zone.”

And Paxton didn’t even address Colony Ridge flooding!

Colony Ridge Drainage
For everyone who wants to own an Island Home. New Year’s Day of 2021.

For More On Colony Ridge

Consult this post – History of Heartbreak: A Colony Ridge Chronicle. It contains links to more than 75 previous posts with hundreds of photos taken on the ground and in the air. Scanning through them will make you wonder whether Paxton was too kind!

A development that didn’t exist 15 years ago is now 50% bigger than Manhattan … with hardly any flood control, fire hydrants, or police presence.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/20/25

3005 Days since Hurricane Harvey

TLDA Email Details Need to Exploit Immigrants

2/10/2025 – An email among a powerful association of real estate developers and mortgage lenders obtained by ReduceFlooding.com details why the group feels the need to exploit immigrants despite criticism of its businesses practices from both the left and the right. The email defends a business model knowingly based on a high percentage of unqualified buyers whose property is repossessed and resold.

Foreclosure Rate 50 Times Higher than U.S. Average

Three days after the Daily Wire wrote an expose about the notorious Colony Ridge Development in Liberty County, Scot Campbell, Chairman Emeritus of the Texas Land Development Association (TLDA), wrote an email to other TLDA board members.

The Daily Wire describes an owner-financing arrangement that “makes it possible for illegal aliens to buy land deep in the heart of Texas. While traditional financing methods require credit ratings and proof of income … buyers at Colony Ridge are able to circumvent the usual requirements, even dodging the need to provide a social security number.”

Traditional bank loans usually require a credit rating and proof of income. But owner financing obtained directly through Colony Ridge reportedly bypasses those traditional mortgage requirements. For a “few hundred dollars” as a down payment, buyers can own a piece of America.

The hitch: they might pay interest rates as high as 15%, according to the Daily Wire. And if they miss a payment, the owner may foreclose on their property and sell it again…with all the improvements that the previous buyer made. Some properties have been resold multiple times.

Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge
Merry Christmas from Colony Ridge, the world’s largest trailer park. Photographed on December 7, 2020. The developer reportedly foreclosed on 1900 properties that year.

Colony Ridge has also been criticized for marketing in Spanish but providing legal documents at closing in English to people who may not even speak the language.

A multi-count lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General alleged deceptive trade practices and cited a foreclosure rate 50 times higher than the national average.

“An Attack on Our Industry”

But in his email to other TLDA board members, Scot Campbell describes the Daily Wire expose as “an attack on our industry.” [Emphasis added]

The Campbell email states, “The right wing … wants to stop all development of this nature. The left wants to knock us out of the market because we make money on the poor.”

He continues, “We will not be able to sell our developments if each of our buyers have to have a SS# and we have to qualify each buyer as to the buyer’s ability to repay.” [Emphasis added again]

“It will kill our industry and make our future resale of foreclosed lots worth a lot less than [before] because we will all be fighting over a few qualified buyers…”

Scot Campbell, Chairman Emeritus of TLDA

The remainder of the email describes criticisms of owner-financing practices from the political right and left.

  • “The right does not like our subdivisions [emphasis added again] because they believe they are a blight on the community” and the people “cannot speak English.”
  • Campbell says people on the left “think its evil to make money on poor people” and “charge higher interest.”

See the email below which responds to the Daily Wire article.

Email from Scott Campbell
For a printable PDF, click here. Most of the addressees still serve as TLDA board members according to the TLDA website.

TLDA describes itself as a group that “works to prevent over-regulation by state and local governments by advocating for common-sense practices in land use and development.” Basically, it’s a lobbying organization.

Particularly worrisome in the email above is the plea to continue selling property to buyers, most of whom the association knows are unqualified. Scot Campbell apparently fears that might impact foreclosure mills in places like Liberty County and along the Mexican border. Developments like Colony Ridge operate throughout the state.

Source of Email

I obtained the email above from an ex-Colony Ridge land-owner-turned-activist named Maria Acevedo. Her property was foreclosed on after she complained about irregularities with the survey and the plat provided to her by the seller.

Investigative journalist Wayne Dolcefino exposed how properties in Colony Ridge are sold over and over again by the developer.

However, according to Acevedo, the legal documents for her foreclosure fail to comply with Texas law. This could affect thousands of foreclosures and resales in Liberty County. But more on that in a future story.

Ironically, the TLDA Chairman Emeritus concludes his memo saying that…

“Our industry does much to help the homeless problem.”

Scot Campbell, TLDA Chairman Emeritus

However, Campbell’s email does not describe how kicking people out of their homes would help the homeless problem.

For More Information about Colony Ridge

To learn more about the squalid living conditions in Colony Ridge, see History of Heartbreak: A Colony Ridge Chronicle. It contains links to more than 75 stories about substandard living conditions, poor infrastructure, and environmental issues in Colony Ridge.

Many of the latter impact downstream areas. For instance:

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/10/25

2722 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.

Flooded 3 Times in 7 Years in 500-Year Floodplain, But No Buyout

Daniel and Kathleen Moore live with their 8-month old baby near the East Fork San Jacinto in Montgomery County. The young couple desperately wants a buyout after their house on Idle Glen in New Caney flooded three times in seven years. But no buyout is in sight.

When they bought the home, they were told it was in the 500-year floodplain. In fact, Montgomery County flood maps still show their home is in the 500-year (.2% annual chance) floodplain.

However, that determination is based on floodplain data from the 1980’s – before the Moores were even born. And since then, the area upstream from them has boomed with new development.

New Upstream Development Invalidates Old Data

For instance, Colony Ridge, just 2.5 miles to the northeast on the other side of the river, has grown 50% larger than Manhattan since 2010 – with virtually no flood mitigation measures on the East Fork side of the area.

In one seven year stretch (2017 to 2024), the Moores flooded three times. During Harvey, they flooded to nine feet. In Imelda, they got one foot. And in the no-name storm of May 2024, five feet of floodwater destroyed everything in the bottom floor of their home.

Said Daniel, “I figured Harvey was extreme. I didn’t worry too much about that. But the next two storms were different. We just can’t afford to rebuild every two or three years.” Daniel works as a mechanic. “The pay isn’t that great,” he says. “We need to move.”

Rebuilding Without Flood Insurance

After the first two floods, they rebuilt the home with money from their own pockets – without benefit of insurance. But with a new baby, they can no longer afford that.

The Moores’ story underscores how inexperience can hamstring young couples on technical issues, such as floodplain delineation and flood insurance.

The moral of this story: before you invest in a new home, consult with a professional hydrologist about the risk. Talk to neighbors about past flooding. Look for tell-tale signs like mold on neighbors’ homes, rotting wood, and elevated structures.

And buy flood insurance. It’s available through FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program. Not all agents feel the commission justifies the trouble of handling it, especially if the home has a history of flooding, so you may get mixed signals from them. Shop around.

Moore Photos During and After May 2024 Flood

Daniel tried to return home after spending the first night with his family in a motel. He couldn’t get onto the feeder road from SH99. This picture shows FM1485 totally flooded.

FM1485 on second day of flood.
Raging waters reached the top of the street sign and nearly touched the power wires.
Floodwater jumbled the living room furniture.
Another room totaled.

Cleanup after the Flood

I took the following shots on 5/18/24. As Daniel worked to gut his uninhabitable home once again, his wife tended the baby at her mother’s home.

Living room of Daniel and Kathleen Moore destroyed by flooding in May 2024
Daniel points to height of flood waters. For reference, he is 6’5″ tall.
Possessions carted to curb and picked over by scavengers.

Scavengers feel, “What difference does it make? They’re throwing this out anyway.” But it makes flood victims feel victimized all over again. Daniel says he’s found people picking through his belongings every day since the flood.

Floodwater reached the top of Kathleen’s Tahoe. It floated during the flood and turned 90 degrees. No one knows where the phone pole came from.
Daniel, tired, bewildered, and still a bit dazed.

But the Moores’ trials and tribulations are not over.

Buyout Chances

The Moores have had a hard time connecting with anyone in Montgomery County who will offer them a buyout.

Ironically, the fact that they are in a 500-year floodplain that hasn’t been updated in 40 years could hurt their buyout chances. FEMA scoring generally favors those with higher risk.

FEMA also favors homeowners with flood insurance. That’s because buying out the homeowners would likely save FEMA money on insurance reimbursements after multiple floods.

But that’s not all.

River Rising Again

Before leaving the Moores’ home, I put my drone up and saw this.

East Fork rising again. Out of banks and flooding FM1485 (right) near 1 PM on May 18, 2024. Looking E. Note river on middle right already had risen over one road in the neighborhood. Daniel says FM1485 is totally under water now.

As of 6 PM, the National Weather service shows the river is still rising. They predict it will crest tonight just under major flood stage near 69 feet.

NWS prediction as of 5:52 PM on 5/28/24 for gage within blocks of Moore home.

That should bring the water close to the Moores’ front door again.

As I drove around his neighborhood, I marveled at the number of abandoned and flooded homes. One can only wonder whether this neighborhood will survive.

Please pray for the safety of all who live there.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/18/24

2454 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 2 Weeks since the No-Name Flood of 2024

East Fork Homes Flooding, Another Flood Watch Issued

May 1, 2024 – Even as East Fork homes are flooding, the National Weather Service has issued another Flood Watch for the region.

Monday’s Storm Brings Wednesday’s Flood

The stormwater from last Sunday night/Monday morning that’s flooding homes near the East Fork San Jacinto could get reinforcements tonight. Another powerful storm is approaching and will collide with moisture laden air from the Gulf later day.

That caused the National Weather Service to issue another flood watch from 10 PM this evening until Thursday evening for Houston and Harris County.

That same NWS bulletin also says that a flood warning remains in effect for the East Fork San Jacinto near New Caney affecting Liberty, Montgomery and Harris Counties.

Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist, warned in his midday report that “Widespread amounts of 2-5 inches are likely with isolated totals of 6-9 inches. High hourly rainfall rates will be likely on the order of 2-4 inches which will produce rapid onset flash flooding.”

Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston Already Taxed to Max

The additional rainfall could overburden already overtaxed watersheds. “There is no capacity at either Lake Livingston or Lake Conroe,” said Lindner. “Additional inflows and run-off will have to pass through the dams’ floodgates.”

Although Lindner expects the heaviest rains to stay north of Harris County, “There is some potential that some of the heavy rainfall reaches into northern Harris County overnight,” he added.

If so, the storm could impact Spring, Cypress, Little Cypress, and Willow Creeks as well as the tributaries in northern Waller and southwestern Montgomery Counties, such as Lake Creek.

Lindner says significant rises will be possible depending on the rainfall amounts and patterns. Flash flooding will be likely where heavy rains occur.

That could deal a devastating blow to homes already flooding along the East Fork.

East Fork Photos Taken Morning of Mayday Flood

Pictures taken this morning between 9 and noon showed roads flooded out and many homes and vehicles already underwater.

TXDoT closed FM1485 at the East Fork/Montgomery County line.
SH99 on left, FM1485 on right.

Streets close to the river also flooded.

Looking S. Casey Road on left flooding from East Fork on right.
Home with flooded vehicles and heavy equipment at Casey and Spaulding.
Flooded homes at Casey and Green.
Cypress Hollow just N of SH99.

I took more than a hundred photos like these this morning. Some people were lucky with the water stopping just feet from their homes. Other people were not so lucky. They will need help.

Colony Ridge, Plum Grove and FM2090

Farther north, I explored Colony Ridge and Plum Grove near FM2090.

One of the main entrances to Colony Ridge where it approaches Plum Grove Road

The water there was already starting to recede. But still, many roads were barely passable. Most smaller vehicles did not brave the water.

Opposite angle, same intersection. Unable to see the sides of the road, traffic tried to stay close to the centerline to stay out of the ditches.
Looking NW over East Fork. FM2090 was still passable, but water lapped at the bottom of the bridge. The East Fork completely flooded the abandoned sand mine (upper right) and swept sediment out of mine.

Ironically, even though I could see my way out of Colony Ridge (from the air), I could not get to FM2090 on the ground because of floodwaters. I had to drive south to SH99 to return home.

Dunnam Road Boat Launch

Back in Kingwood, I called a friend on Dunnam Road. She said her boat launch flooded and that water was lapping at the first house coming up the hill.

Dunnam Road boat launch.
Note water surrounding house adjacent to boat dock. Luckily it did not flood and water is receding as of 4PM.
This young man appeared to be making the most of the flood by giving his daughter a fishing lesson. A neighbor told me he’s been doing that since she was born!

Posted by Bob Rehak on May 1, 2024

2437 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Wildly Divergent Colony Ridge Population Estimates Pose Planning Problems

Colony Ridge, the controversial Latino development in Liberty county, has grown at least 50% larger than Manhattan in about a decade. How many people live there? No one knows for sure. Colony Ridge population estimates vary widely. And that has ominous implications for planners.

Most of Colony Ridge falls within Census tract 7003.02. The Census Bureau estimates that, in 2023, 13,573 people lived there, even though Colony Ridge occupies only about two thirds of the census tract.

Based on that, one might conclude that the Census Bureau believes about 10,000 people live in Colony Ridge. But the local school district estimates 80,000 people live there. Who’s right? And why does it matter?

What’s at Stake

A precise answer is important for many reasons: Congressional representation for Texas is at stake. So is planning for water supply, schools, traffic, law enforcement, flood mitigation, and more. Yet precise answers are elusive.

Why the Wide Variation?

Last year, I interviewed Congressman Brian Babin’s chief of staff. Babin represents Colony Ridge in Congress.

Babin’s chief told me about the problems that Census takers had in Colony Ridge back in 2020. To summarize, as many as two, three, or even four families often live together in one home. And often, they don’t want to be counted. Reportedly, many fear discovery and deportation because they entered the U.S. illegally. So they are under-reported.

In an interview with Blaze Media, Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader was asked if he has any idea how many Colony Ridge residents are here illegally. Rader replied (at 26:23 into the video), “… the majority of the people out there are illegal aliens.”

Rader’s observation is consistent with U.S. Border Patrol reports of record-high migrant encounters – more than a quarter million in last December alone at the Mexican border.

Yet the Census Bureau estimates that only about 50 people per year move to ALL of Liberty County as a result of international immigration and Colony Ridge is reputedly the largest, fastest growing colonia in the country.

Estimates contradict each other.

Who to Believe?

On the low end, in round numbers, the Census Bureau believes about 10,000 people live in Colony Ridge. On the high end, based on enrollment, the Cleveland ISD superintendent believes about 80,000 live there.

At 29:45 into the Blaze video, Cleveland ISD Superintendent Stephen McCanless says, “What we’re finding down there (in Colony Ridge) is that you have multiple families living in one house with four, five, six and sometimes seven children in one house.” At 28:14, McCanless says “District enrollment is usually 10% of your total community population. That tells me that we should have about 80,000 people living there.”

While the superintendent has an actual head count, he’s counting children, not adults. The Pew Foundation found that Hispanics are far more likely than Whites to have large families with four or more children today. That’s one possible source of error when comparing to historic, largely White norms.

The superintendent is also not counting Colony Ridge children whose parents enroll them in Montgomery County schools not far away. According to anecdotal reports, that number could be substantial.

John Harris, the developer, splits the difference between the Census Bureau and the ISD. He estimates the current population of Colony Ridge at approximately 35,000 at 3:22 into the Blaze video. But Harris is basing his estimate on “lots sold,” not residents per lot.

Deeply Flawed Population Estimates Will Affect Planning

Conclusion: all these contradictory population estimates have flaws. And that makes planning an exercise in guesswork. Let’s take the example of water. It’s necessary to sustain life, yet planning large scale water projects can take decades. Most take up to 50 years.

If Colony Ridge grew by 80,000 people in roughly 10 years, will there be enough water in the aquifers to support a quarter million in another 20 years? If not, where will the water come from?

I talked to one long-term resident of neighboring Plum Grove whose well ran dry recently. She and her neighbor both had to drill their wells lower.

If Colony Ridge does grow to a quarter million people, it would rank near the ten largest cities in Texas.

At that point, the fight for water rights would pit Liberty County’s traditional farm-based population against newcomers, more than half of whom by the Sheriff’s estimate are illegal aliens. I don’t see that battle ending well…for anyone.

Missing Documents: Skirting State and County Water Regulations

To avoid surprises like this, Liberty County requires proof of a 30-year water supply before it approves plats. See Section 8.2 of Liberty County Subdivision Regulations. So does the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas.

Yet when Maria Acevedo, a former landowner in Colony Ridge, requested such proof, neither Liberty County, the TCEQ, nor PUC could supply it. That’s scary.

It took decades to plan and build the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project and even longer for the Northeast Water Purification Plant. Together, they cost $2.3 billion.

Can an area where at least 30% of the population lives below the poverty line afford that investment? Colony Ridge has already shown that its corner-cutting business model can’t afford to meet Liberty County fire hydrant and drainage regulations.

The issue is sustainability. As aquifers deplete, land subsides. And Colony Ridge already has flooding problems.

Subsidence can make that worse by creating a bowl in the landscape that reduces the gradient of streams. That slows down floodwaters and makes them peak higher, faster – especially when surrounding development has insufficient stormwater detention like Colony Ridge.

It’s time to do some mid-course correction while there’s still time.

For more information about Colony Ridge, see this list of previous posts.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/31/24 with thanks to Michael Shrader for his research on population

2406 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.

Paxton Slams Colony Ridge with Massive, Multi-Count Lawsuit

On 3/14/24, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a 48-page lawsuit against Colony Ridge, its owners and affiliates. The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court, alleges the defendants engaged in a variety of deceptive practices that violated the:

  • Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act
  • Fraud in Real Estate Transactions Act
  • Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010
  • Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act.

The lawsuit claims that the sprawling community a few minutes northeast of Houston in Liberty County is based on a foundation of “false, misleading and deceptive sales, marketing and lending practices.”

For the full text of the 48-page lawsuit, click here or read the summary below.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of a request by the entire Republican Congressional delegation for Paxton to investigate Colony Ridge. Paxton subsequently wrote a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, Speaker Dave Phelan and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. That letter outlined results of a preliminary investigation for a special session of the Texas Legislature to consider last year.

Although the legislature took no substantial action against Colony Ridge, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) did. It sued Colony Ridge for predatory lending practices, bait-and-switch advertising and more. The charges filed today by the Texas Attorney General reinforce and amplify the DOJ allegations.

Business Model Allegedly Based on Foreclosures

Specifically, the suit claims that, “Colony Ridge targets foreign-born and Hispanic consumers with limited or no access to credit with promises of cheap, ready-to-build land and financing without proof of income. And Colony Ridge lies in a multitude of ways about the conditions that those buyers will experience on the property.”

The AG further claims, “Many of those conditions, once discovered, preclude the buyer from actually making any practical use of the land. The result is that the buyer, having discovered that they cannot meaningfully use the land, defaults on the land financing at jaw-dropping rates.”

“Colony Ridge then forecloses on the buyer, re-possesses the land having lost nothing, and then turns around and sells the same land again to another unsuspecting buyer with the same deceptive set of misrepresentations.”

As a result, the lawsuit claims Colony Ridge foreclosure rates were 50X higher than the 2023 national average.

Paxton Lawsuit

The lawsuit meticulously documents how the Colony Ridge business model allegedly incentivizes foreclosures. According to Paxton, Colony Ridge routinely repurchases lots through foreclosure and resells them at higher prices that reflect the value of improvements previous buyers have made.

Marketing in Spanish with Legal Papers in English

The lawsuit goes into detail about marketing practices that exploit Hispanic buyers’ often poor understanding of the English language and U.S. laws. Marketing reportedly takes place in Spanish, but closing documents are in English in small print, with only a brief verbal Spanish summary that omits key details.

Fake Social-Media Listings

Paxton also alleges that marketing lured buyers through fake social media accounts using fake listings under fake names. Colony Ridge routinely provided cell phones to its sales representatives with multiple SIM cards, each linked to the fake property listings around the Houston area.

If a potential buyer expressed interest, their contact information got forwarded to Colony Ridge, even if they were not looking for land in Colony Ridge. Said another way, the fake listings were used to cast a wider net for potential buyers.

Services Promised, but Not Included

Allegedly, advertisements claimed the lots included services such as water, electricity and drainage when they did not. They also claimed that the available services would save buyers thousands of dollars compared to septic systems.

Instead, says the lawsuit, “…consumers are responsible for spending thousands (even tens of thousands) of dollars to set up city services because access, contrary to Colony Ridge’s representations, is not readily available. Further, many consumers must wait over a year for city service installation, belying Colony Ridge’s claims that lots are readily accessible for all city services.”

The lawsuit frequently quotes Colony Ridge training manuals for its employees, suggesting a systematic approach to alleged violations. Many employees apparently provided insight into their employers’ practices.

Returns Promised, but Not Allowed

“Colony Ridge compounds misrepresentations at closing by informing concerned consumers that Colony Ridge will take back lots from buyers who can no longer afford their mortgage payments,” says the lawsuit. But if a buyer tries returning a property due to hardship, they are then told “returns are not allowed.”

Delivery Promised at Closing, but Often Delayed Year or More

The lawsuit claims Colony Ridge allegedly delivers property to the buyer as of the date of closing. However, buyers report that they have had to wait up to two years to take possession. “Colony Ridge does not allow them onto the land for any purpose, including clearing illegally-dumped trash or debris, leveling, or putting in culverts,” claims the lawsuit.

Clients Asked to Sign Illegal Waivers

Paragraph 70 states that contracts contain an illegal deceptive-trade-practices waiver. On paper, the waiver purports to allow Colony Ridge to avoid a whole range of consumer claims ranging from fraud to Deceptive-Trade-Practice-Act (DPTA)-based claims. However, under DPTA, contracts may not contain such waivers. Says the lawsuit, “This waiver provision is a per-se DTPA violation.”

Taxes Not Prorated as Promised

In Paragraph 71, Paxton says that Colony Ridge told buyers that property taxes would be prorated as of the date of the closing. But deeds state that consumers are liable for ALL taxes from the current year, and even any increased taxes from previous years.

Flooding Problems Not Disclosed

Section E (Paragraphs 73-79) talks about undisclosed flooding problems.

Example: Colony Ridge home flooded January of 2021.

Unfortunately for many surrounding residents, the lawsuit does not seek a remedy for Colony Ridge drainage/flooding impacts beyond the boundaries of the community.

Developer Used POA Fees to Fund Expansion, not Improve Neighborhoods

Section F (Paragraphs 80-85) discusses how a property owner association (POA) controlled by the developer collects high fees without delivering any services that improve the community.

Instead, the El Norte POA (one of the defendants) “exists to deceive consumers into paying money to benefit their communities when, in truth, it merely serves to feed Defendants’ expansionist goals for the future.”

Four Counts All Allege Deceptive Trade Practices

Starting on Page 30, the lawsuit lists four counts against the various defendants. They allege:

  • Violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
  • Fraud in Real Estate Transactions.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Act violations.
  • Interstate Land Sales Act violations.

Millions in Penalties Sought

The lawsuit alleges that such practices have affected thousands of buyers. The State of Texas seeks civil penalties up to $1 million dollars per day during which such violations continue. It also seeks $10,000 per violation and an additional amount of $250,000 if alleged victims were 65 or older.

Other “Asks”

Beginning on Page 44/Paragraph 145, the lawsuit lays out what it requests from the court – an order:

  • Declaring Defendants’ conduct in violation of the laws above
  • Enjoining Defendants from:
    • Creating fake social-media accounts
    • Using false or misleading images within social media
    • Falsely representing the location of lots within advertisements
    • Not selling lots as advertised
    • Failing to provide accurate translations of documents
    • Misrepresenting the condition of lots for sale
    • Advertising that POA membership includes services or confers benefits
    • Collecting any delinquent POA funds
    • Foreclosing on any lien on real property for unpaid amounts due to any Colony Ridge POA
    • Transferring, moving, concealing, spending, or withdrawing POA funds
    • Collecting or spending funds from real property owners in any Colony Ridge subdivision, unless such funds are to be spent only for the benefit of the residents of that specific Colony Ridge subdivision.
  • Directing;
    • The recission or reformation of contracts where necessary to redress injury to consumers
    • Defendants to make full restitution to all consumers who have suffered losses as a result of the acts and practices alleged
    • Defendants to pay the State appropriate civil penalties pursuant to the CFPA and the DTPA
    • Defendants to pay the State’s investigative and litigation costs.

For a listing of previous posts involving Colony Ridge, see History of Heartbreak.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/15/24

2390 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.

At Least Seven Investigations Launched into Colony Ridge

Today, Harris County joined the growing list of governmental agencies looking into Colony Ridge.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have already concluded their investigations and filed Federal lawsuits against the troubled developer.

On December 29, 2023, the New York Post reported that the Internal Revenue Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have all launched their own Colony Ridge investigations. Word on the street has it that even more investigations by other Federal agencies are underway.

Then on January 5, 2024, the Daily Wire reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened an investigation into Colony Ridge.

Finally, just today (1/9/24), Harris County Commissioners Court discussed investigating the flooding, housing and environmental impacts of Colony Ridge on Harris County. The County Administrators Office and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey agreed to discuss forming a task force. They would then return to Commissioners Court for final approval of their task force recommendations.

Thrust of Many Investigations Still Uncertain

However, with the exception of the DOJ and CFPB, the direction of many of these investigations remains unknown.

For instance, the EPA could be investigating any of several different allegations, including wetlands, endangered species, and pollution violations.

Colony Ridge, which has grown at least 50% larger than Manhattan in a decade, has filled in ponds and wetlands. While the Army Corps bears initial responsibility for investigating wetlands violations, ultimately the EPA reviews permit applications under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

Recently, the developer has been pushing into wetlands near Tarkington Bayou. I took the three photos below during in October 2023 while flying over the bayou. Despite a punishing drought, you can still see evidence of ponding.

A University of Waterloo (Ontario) study found that small isolated wetlands that are full for only part of the year are often the first to be removed for development. They enjoy fewer legal protections due to their apparent isolation from jurisdictional waters.

However, the study found that they can be twice as effective in protecting downstream lake or river ecosystems than those directly connected to them. The study labeled them “pollution-catching powerhouses.” Their disconnectedness makes them more effective pollution traps.

Previously, I reported that the TCEQ found raw sewage leaking from a lift station and sewers in Colony Ridge. TCEQ estimated that 48,000 gallons escaped into the Lake Houston watershed, which supplies drinking water for two million people.

To report environmental violations to the EPA, see this page.

Another possibility: EPA may also be looking into whether Colony Ridge displaced any threatened or endangered species. Texas Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say twelve threatened and endangered species live in Liberty County. Some reportedly live in the Colony Ridge Area.

For More Information

Since 2020, I have created more than 75 posts about different aspects of Colony Ridge – from missing drainage studies to sewage spills, rivers of mud, and more. To see links to all the posts, visit this page.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/9/2024

2324 Days since Hurricane Harvey