Disaster funding work plans scheduled by Galveston District

UPDATED: 11 July 2018 05:35 p.m.

GALVESTON, Texas (July 6, 2018) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District clarified today additional work that it plans to accomplish with the funding provided for disaster recovery in Public Law 115-123, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 18), signed into law February 9, 2018.

"We look forward to serving our community and Nation in executing the high priority regional watershed assessments, Flood Risk Management (FRM) feasibility studies, and FRM construction projects at Galveston District,” said Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management Division Chief, Dr. Edmond Russo.  Russo said the public can view funded studies and projects at: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Budget/ 

Port Arthur-Freeport-Orange:

The Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Chief's Report was completed in December 2017.  The project is being funded $3.9 B under BBA 18 and will result in improvements to the existing Hurricane Flood Protection Systems in Freeport and Port Arthur, TX.  It will also include construction of 27 miles of new levees and flood walls in Orange County, TX. 

Addicks & Barker Dam Safety Project:

The Addicks & Barker Dam Safety Project is receiving $1.4 M in funds to continue the on-going construction of rehabilitation features of Addicks and Barker Reservoir Dams. This project also received $2 M in FY 18 Work Plan funding.

Corps and Harris County Flood Control District Partnered Projects:

• Brays Bayou Project:  Will receive $75 M for continued construction of detention basins along Brays Bayou Channel. This project also received $14.7 M in FY 18 Work Plan funding to reimburse Harris County Flood Control District for past construction.

• White Oak Bayou Project: This project is receiving $45 M for construction of channel modification and detention basins along White Oak Bayou.

• Hunting Bayou Project:  Hunting Bayou is receiving $65 M for construction of channel modification and detention basins along Hunting Bayou.

• Clear Creek Project: This project is scheduled to receive $295 M to perform an economics update, design and construct conveyance and in-creek detention areas (areas that hold and store water) that create a system to reduce flood damages in the upper portion of the Clear Creek watershed.

• Greens Bayou Project:  $4.1 M is set for FY18 Work Plan funding to complete construction of channel improvements and detention basin along the Greens Bayou channel. 

   

  Partnered Studies:

  Several partnered studies and assessments will be initiated to address flooding concerns in Metropolitan Houston on Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, and the Brazos River.  This effort will include addressing floodplain management considerations, recommendations for improvements to partnered FRM bayou projects, as well as recommendations for improvements to Addicks and Barker Reservoir Dams.  These include: 

• Brazos River Erosion Study:  This study will receive $3 M and will investigate flood risk management measures to reduce or mitigate erosion losses along the Brazos River near the city of Richmond.

• Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study:  This study is receiving $6 M to investigate and identify alternatives to stop flooding in and around the Dams during major storm events.

• Houston Regional Watershed Assessment:  $3 M is set to assess the interaction of the 22 primary watersheds in Harris County during flood events, and identify potential measures to improve operations of existing reservoir dams, conveyance channels and detention basins.

• Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study: This study is identified to receive $1.9 M for the continuation of the on-going study which is evaluating a number of alternatives to reduce coastal surge, including a coastal barrier similar to the "Ike Dike" concept.  Coastal Texas is also evaluating a number of alternatives which include other coastal storm risk management and ecosystem restoration measures all along the Texas coast.

   

  Russo said to keep the public informed on the important progress for reducing flood risks in Texas on America's Energy Coast, further details will be distributed in the near future with periodic updates to these partnered assessments, studies, and projects.