Enough flood studies!
Army Corps
Regarding “Corps proposes area flood study” (Page A1, Monday), we are responding to the recent announcement that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to undertake a lengthy study before implementing any improvements to our area’s flood control infrastructure. We strongly disagree with the proposal for a number of reasons.
First, USACE has been studying flooding in the Houston area since the mid-1930s when it developed Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. The Corps’ original plans included a third reservoir in the Cypress Creek watershed and some bypass channels to take stored water from the reservoirs to a discharge in the Gulf. After completion of the two reservoirs, however, work was suspended due to the outbreak of World War II.
We feel it is critical that USACE move immediately to restore capacity in the existing two reservoirs by removing all silt, debris and invasive species of trees. This would increase capacity by roughly 20 percent. The Corps should also construct the third reservoir as they originally intended, which will significantly increase storm water storage.
Second, USACE should support fully increased capacity in all 22 watersheds in Harris County to get water from the point of rainfall to the Gulf. The Harris County Flood Control District has preliminary studies for each of these watersheds, and completed studies for four (Brays, White Oak, Hunting and Clear Creek Bayous). USACE should support funding of these projects immediately as money is already allocated in the House bill that was approved in early December and is in the Senate bill under consideration.
Together with the Houston Chronicle editorial board, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and others, the West Houston Association believes it is time for decisive action. We have put forward bold but necessary infrastructure plans to address our persistent flooding issues — all of which have already been thoroughly studied and vetted. Until Harvey, we have simply not had the funding or political will to take these projects on.
If we can get the current disaster relief appropriation in the House bill through the U.S. Senate, we will have a very large down payment on a regional infrastructure plan that saves lives and protects property. Past experience in other communities suggests that delays inevitably diminish political will to address big infrastructure needs. John Moody, chairman, West Houston Association