C-59 Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Project

Last Modified: 10/20/2020 08:25 PM

Recent Actions

October 07, 2020 – The Harris County Flood Control District has submitted the application for Environmental Assessment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and approval. This application is part of the federally mandated permitting process consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and contains the USACE approval of the Individual Permit application. FEMA will publish the application on their website with noticing of a 30-day period for public comment.

August 10, 2020 – The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approved the Harris County Flood Control’s application for the Section 404 Individual Permit for this project. This application is part of the federally mandated permitting process consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. Public Notice No. SWG-2017-00335, HCFCD Project ID E521-04-00-E001 was published by the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their website with appropriate public commenting period.

May 19, 2020 – Harris County Commissioners Court approved updates to project details in the 2018 Bond Program List. Update corrects precinct information, project title, and funding information to reflect consolidation of Bond ID C-59 with Bond ID C-60. Additionally, a $108,115 agreement amendment was authorized with an engineering firm for design, bidding, and construction phase engineering services for construction of this project.

February 4, 2020 - As part of the federally mandated permitting process, the Harris County Flood Control District submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) an application for a Section 404 Individual Permit for the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basins Project consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. Public Notice No. SWG-2017-00335, HCFCD Project ID E521-04-00-E001 has been published by the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their website. Public comments are due to their office no later than 6 March 2020.

August 13, 2019 - Harris County Commissioners Court accepted a Preliminary Engineering Report in support of this project. Recommendation for authorization to accept a preliminary engineering report prepared by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., and proceed with design and construction of Unit E500-21-00 Inwood Forest stormwater detention basin in the White Oak Bayou Watershed in Precinct 1 (Map ID C-59, Project ID E500-21-00-E001).

August 2, 2019 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the City of Houston a grant to cover 75% of the cost for the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Project.

March 26, 2019 – Commissioners Court approved agreement with engineering firm to design entirety of the project.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Inwood Forest Golf Course, a 226-acre property near Antoine Drive and West Little York, was purchased by the City of Houston in 2011 for approximately $9 million. A land use agreement stipulates the property may only be used for parkland, recreational and stormwater detention purposes. The property is located in the White Oak Bayou and Vogel Creek watersheds.

In August 2019, the City of Houston received a grant to fund the design of stormwater detention basins in all identified areas of the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Project. The grant secured by the City of Houston from FEMA will cover 75% of the cost of the entire project. The remaining 25% will be a local match from the 2018 Bond Program. The Harris County Flood Control District supported the grant application effort.

Initial construction of two basins in the area were completed by the City of Houston, and the Harris County Flood Control District previously intended to proceed with construction of the remaining basins in phases. However, because of requirements in the new grant applications, all design and construction will be completed as one project. While funding for the construction stage of the project will still need to be secured, the Harris County Flood Control District is currently working to finalize the design of the project and expects to have 100% design completion in fall 2020.

The proposed stormwater detention basin project encompasses property located both east of Antoine and west of Antoine, with a total of 12 interconnected stormwater detention basins. During the design stage of the project, community engagement meetings were held for residents to learn about key elements of the project, give input, and have their questions and concerns addressed. The Harris County Flood Control District will continue to hold public meetings throughout the course of this project to seek public input.

As part of its mission to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values, the Harris County Flood Control District also is working with our partner, the City of Houston, to support plans to develop proposed recreational areas that could be incorporated into the stormwater detention basins once construction of the basins is complete. The Houston Parks Board is part of this City of Houston effort.

The stormwater detention basins will be built by the Harris County Flood Control District on the former golf course property to provide flood damage reduction benefits during heavy storms and to mitigate impacts of future public City of Houston drainage projects as appropriate.

The basins will vary in stormwater storage capacity, which is measured in acre-feet. The goal for the stormwater storage capacity for all the basins combined is approximately 1,200 acre-feet, for shared use by the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston. One acre-foot is equal to one-acre times a one-foot depth, or 43,560 cubic feet (325,850 gallons).

With any potential recreational amenities, capacity within the basins to hold stormwater typically decreases. Actual storage capacity will be determined once design plans are complete.

In an abundance of caution and in line with other City of Houston and Harris County agencies, the Harris County Flood Control District is holding all Community Engagement and Public Meetings virtually. Please continue to check this webpage for updates on future meeting information to update the public on this project.

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Project Areas

The project includes a total of twelve basins of varying size. The basins are individually labeled with letters A-L. The City of Houston has completed Basin K and partially completed the construction of Basin L. The Flood Control District’s upcoming project will include the construction of the remaining basins as shown in the diagram.

Recreational Opportunities

As owner of the property, the recreational opportunities are being determined by the City of Houston with community input; currently, there is no funding for construction of any proposed recreation.

White Oak Conference Center, formerly the golf course clubhouse, which includes a community center and is managed by the Near Northwest Management District, will remain on the site and operational. Community programs such as First Tee, a youth golfing program, are included in the planning and additional recreation will be designed based on community need.

The largest basin, Basin C, currently is being considered by the City of Houston as a location for First Tee. The White Oak Conference Center is located next to Basin C.

Tree Preservation

In early 2017, a tree inventory was conducted on the Inwood Forest Golf Course property. Trees greater than four inches in diameter were tagged and documented according to size, species, and general health. Suggestions for possible tree preservation zones were indicated as part of the inventory.

Residents may notice tags on trees. These tags indicate that the tree has been inventoried for planning purposes.

Following Hurricane Harvey in summer 2017, the project focus shifted to increasing stormwater detention volume to offset street flooding. To allow for maximum basin volume, trees in the immediate area may need to be removed. Where possible, a bank or banks of trees will remain.

Upon completion of the project, new trees will be planted as appropriate.

Encroachments

As part of the ongoing work on this project, the Harris County Flood Control District has identified potential encroachments on property now owned by the City of Houston and/or Harris County Flood Control District. A survey to confirm encroachments will be conducted in the Fall of 2020.

An encroachment is any unauthorized use of the Flood Control District or other public property or drainage easements. Encroachments generally are permanent or portable structures or objects that have been placed on Flood Control property, including, but not limited to, fencing, swing sets, sheds, swimming pools, bird baths, outdoor furnishings, and sporting equipment.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS

While the process of securing the federal grant delayed the beginning of construction, it also offered an opportunity for the City and the Flood Control District to hold a series of meetings with the public and other stakeholders to hear their concerns.

The Harris County Flood Control District, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, plan to hold additional meetings in the future with the community, prior to construction of the project.

HOA Meeting Presentation (12/11/19)

On December 11, 2019, the Harris County Flood Control District, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, provided updated information about this project, including 50% design plans, tree and vegetation removal in the immediate area, as well as recreational and amenity concepts that may be considered for the area after construction is completed on the stormwater basins. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

PRESENTATION (12/11/2019)

HOA Meeting Presentation (8/14/19)

On August 14, 2019, Harris County Flood Control District leadership, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, presented to the residents of Inwood Forest an update on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

The update included information regarding the August 2, 2019 grant award announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the City of Houston for funding to cover 75% of the costs for design, and ultimately construction, of the entire project. Residents also were briefed on plans for future recreational opportunities and other Capital Improvement Projects in the area. Additional meetings with the community are being planned and will be posted to this site, as the project progresses.

Presentation (8/14/19)

HOA Meeting Presentation (8/15/18)

On August 15, 2018, Harris County Flood Control District leadership, along with our partners from the City of Houston, presented to the residents of Inwood Forest an update on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

Presentation (8/15/18)