HOUSTON -- (April 16, 2019) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District will host five public scoping meetings starting April 30 to inform the public about the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS) and to seek input from the public on the study scope, potential alternatives that should be considered, and environmental resources of concern.
“The Corps, in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District, has initiated the BBTRS, which will investigate causes of flooding within the study area and develop alternatives that could reduce the risk of flooding along Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries, in Harris and Fort Bend counties, Texas,” said project manager Andrew Weber, USACE Galveston District. “The study will also complete a Dam Safety Modification Evaluation on the Addicks and Barker Dams.”
According to Weber, staff will work to gather public feedback about significant issues and impacts. All public comments received will be considered in the draft National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document prepared pursuant to NEPA of 1969 and USACE regulations.
“Public involvement is an essential part of the NEPA and Federal Feasibility study process, and we encourage dialogue about concerns or issues surrounding the study,” said Weber. “We also work with federal, state, local agencies and other interested organizations to address their concerns.”
The open-house meetings are scheduled as follows:
April 30, 2019 May 2, 2019
5:00-8:00 p.m. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Kingsland Baptist Church Saint John Vianney Catholic Church
Activity Center Activity Center
20555 Kingsland Blvd 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail
Katy, TX 77450 Houston TX, 77079
May 7, 2019 May 8, 2019
5:00-8:00 p.m. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Trini Mendenhall Community Center University of Houston Downtown
1414 Wirt Rd Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium
Houston, TX 77055 3rd Floor (Main Street Level) of Academic
Building
May 9, 2019 1 Main St., A350
6:00-9:00 p.m.* Houston, TX 77002
Cypress Ridge High School, 9th Grade Cafeteria
7900 N Eldridge Parkway
Houston, TX 77041
*Presentation given at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30
BBTRS public meetings will follow an open-house style format with display boards describing the study purpose, need, and process. Formal presentations are scheduled for 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm, unless otherwise noted above, and will last approximately 30 minutes.
“Although there will not be a formal question and answer session during the presentation, staff from the Corps and Harris County Flood Control District will be available to answer questions and take comments throughout the evening” said Melinda Fisher, biologist at USACE Galveston District. “All material presented will be the same for each scheduled public meeting.”
Written comments may be filled out on a comment card at any of the public scoping meetings or mailed to USACE, Galveston District, Attn: BBTRS, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229. Comments may also be submitted electronically to BBTRS@usace.army.mil. All comments must be received or postmarked by May 31, 2019.
For additional information on the study, visit the USACE Galveston website at: https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/Buffalo-Bayou-and-Tributaries-Resiliency-Study/
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