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Halls Bayou Federal Feasibility Study
Partnerships
The Federal Process and Our Partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Harris County Flood Control District's mission is to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. This is accomplished by devising the flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans, and maintaining the infrastructure.
One of the District's purposes is to partner with the Corps of Engineers on federal flood damage reduction studies and projects in Harris County.
Section 211(f) and WRDA
Federal legislation, referred to as Section 211(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, enables the District to take the lead on the planning, design, and construction of specific flood damage reduction projects in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers. Throughout the study, the Corps of Engineers shares its experience, participates in site investigations and performs technical reviews.
The District and the Corps of Engineers have partnered on projects such as Addicks and Barker reservoirs and projects on Brays, Sims, and White Oak Bayous.
The Harris County Flood Control District is the local sponsor for this study and the Corps of Engineers is the federal sponsor. Since the District is partnering with the Corps of Engineers on this study, we will comply with all of the laws and regulations pertaining to a federal study, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
When serving as the lead agency on a Federal project, the District is responsible for:
- Overseeing the NEPA Process
- Identifying cooperating and contributing agencies
- Ensuring that agencies are consulted in the process
- Providing opportunities for public involvement
- Identifying which action or project to implement
This special partnership with the Corps is an advantage to the Halls Bayou community. As the local sponsor, the District has local control of the study process and has the option of constructing parts of the projects included in the plan prior to Federal approval and Congressional appropriations. the District, as the local sponsor, initially funds the planning, design and construction, but can be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of implementation costs if the Study is approved and funds are appropriated by Congress. The benefit is that the amount of time for implementation can be significantly reduced from 25 years to less than 15 years to get from concept to construction.
The NEPA Process
An important part of the study is engaging the public and understanding its needs and concerns. As part of the study, the District is conducting public involvement activities and following the standards set forth by NEPA to ensure that information is gathered to make quality decisions on the Halls Bayou plan.
Cost Sharing
Working with the Corps on a Federal study enables the District to share in the cost of implementing the study. Upon study completion, approval by the Corps and appropriation of funds by Congress, the District will be reimbursed by the Corps for approximately 50 percent of the Federally-approved costs for implementation.
This partnership leverages District funds and often allows for faster project completion.
Resource Agencies
The District is working with various Federal and state resource agencies, including:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
- Texas General Land Office (GLO)
- Texas Historic Commission (THC)
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)
- Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Resource agencies are informed of the study status through written updates and participation in the Halls Bayou Federal Feasibility Study Stakeholder meetings. In addition, site investigations with the resource agencies are routinely performed to discuss the study area.
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