Public feedback urged for Storm Surge Suppression Study

Published 10:44 pm Friday, April 1, 2016

From staff reports

 

Recent flooding led to a delay in the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District (GCCPRD) Phase 2 Public Meeting scheduled in Orange. The new meeting has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at the Orange County Convention & Expo Center located at 11475 Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange.

Following three consecutive hurricanes of which the last, Hurricane Ike, was the most expensive in Texas’ history, Governor Perry issued an Executive Order creating the Governor’s Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal.

The Commission worked with local communities, industry, and state leaders to develop recommendations to:

  • Help Texas communities rebuild after these storms
    • Improve the State’s and communities’ ability to recover from future disasters
    • Seek federal reimbursement comparable to that of other states for disaster recovery

One of the Commission’s recommendations was to conduct a study to determine how coastal communities can reduce the impact of water damage caused by future storms.

The GCCPRD Phase 2 report is a technical update on the work completed by the study team to date. The report does not favor or recommend any particular alternative within a given study region. The benefit-to-cost ratios for each alternative are presented to highlight the economic feasibility for each alternative. A benefit-to-cost ratio greater than 1 to 1 is preferred, but is only one factor considered in a final recommendation. The final recommendation will be based on the technical, environmental, economic and social aspects associated with each alternative and public input. We encourage the public to attend one of our upcoming public meetings so the study team can gather your comments.

A large-scale public meeting is being held in each region of the study area. During each meeting, alternatives will be presented and the public is invited to participate and provide feedback to further screen and select preferred alternatives. The materials and format will be the same at all four meetings. Informational displays will be available for viewing, and GCCPRD representatives will provide information and answer questions. No formal presentation will be made. Materials will be available in English and Spanish.

More below Video

The findings of Phase 2 of the study were presented at the February 23, 2016 GCCPRD board meeting, and the Phase 2 Report is available online. A large-scale public meeting is being held in each region of the study area. During each meeting, alternatives will be presented and the public is invited to participate and provide feedback to further screen and select preferred alternatives. The materials and format will be the same at all four meetings. Informational displays will be available for viewing, and GCCPRD representatives will provide information and answer questions. No formal presentation will be made. Materials will be available in English and Spanish.

If hearing impaired or language translation services are needed, please contact the GCCPRD consulting team at 713-868-1043 or at info@gccprd.com. GCCPRD representatives will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

Comments will be accepted at the public meetings and throughout the duration of the study. All comments regarding Phase 2 study findings should be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2016 to be considered in Phase 3 of the study. Written comments may be mailed to the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District in care of Col. Christopher Sallese at 3100 West Alabama St., Houston, Texas 77098 or emailed to info@gccprd.com.

For more information about GCCPRD and this study, visit www.gccprd.com.