Thank you for your continued interest in the ongoing work of the Harris County Flood Control District in the Halls Bayou watershed. The purpose of this update is to inform you on project developments in Halls Bayou since the last public meeting. Those meeting materials can be found here.
We are excited to share information about new funding secured by the Flood Control District, along with updates on individual projects in your area. If you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to submit comments or feedback at www.hcfcd.org/Halls-Bayou.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Funding
The Flood Control District has finalized an agreement with the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to secure more than $825 million in funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These funds focus on mitigation efforts (CDBG-MIT) and disaster recovery efforts (CDBG-DR) and originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The two programs will fund projects across Harris County and will roll out over the next few years.
Community engagement specific to the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs will take place over the next several months as part of the formal application process. More information will be shared as those plans are finalized.
Funding Distribution Process
In order to determine the list of projects to receive funding through the CDBG-MIT and CDBG-DR programs, the Flood Control District considered criteria such as low-to-moderate income (LMI) percentages, urgent need, right-of-way acquisition needs, and other factors laid out by HUD, GLO and Harris County Commissioners Court. Additional information on the programs and related criteria can be found here: www.hcfcd.org/About/Partnership-Funding/CDBG-Funding.
CDBG-DR
CDBG-DR dollars are focused on funding projects with a direct tie to areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey, as part of disaster recovery efforts. Some $322 million in funding is available to fund Flood Control District projects. Of that amount, 50% must be spent in LMI census tracts, after which “urgent need” projects can be considered, In the Halls Bayou watershed, two projects are envisioned to receive CDBG-DR funding:
• Isom Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
• Helms Stormwater Detention Basin and Channel
Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-01)
All CDBG-DR funds must be expended by March 31, 2026, meaning that each project receiving these funds must be fully constructed and closed out before this date.
CDBG-MIT
CDBG-MIT dollars are focused on funding projects that mitigate future disasters and flooding. Some $541 million is available to fund Flood Control District mitigation projects through the CDBG-MIT program. The CDBG-MIT program also has requirements around LMI beneficiaries with remaining funds available for use on “urgent need” projects. In the Halls Bayou watershed, there are six projects envisioned to receive CDBG-MIT funding:
• Tributaries P118-23-00 & P118-23-02 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-26)
• P118‐08‐00 Conveyance and Detention Improvements (Bond ID: C-23)
• Tributary P118-27-00 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID C-30)
• Excavation of P118-00-00-E009 Hahl North Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
• Hardy West Regional Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
• Main Stem Channel Conveyance Improvements Downstream of Hopper (Bond ID: C-41)
CDBG-MIT funds must be spent by March 31, 2027, meaning the projects must be fully constructed and closed out by this date. Timelines will be formally determined and approved by GLO as projects are added by amendment to the contract.
Project Updates
Additional updates are shared below for projects in the Halls Bayou Bond Program. For additional information or to sign up for updates, please visit our website at www.hcfcd.org/Halls-Bayou. The following updates are grouped by the projects’ stage in the overall Project Lifecycle.
Feasibility Study Stage
Excavation of P118-00-00-E009 Hahl North Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
This project will construct one regional stormwater detention basin. This project recently kicked off the Feasibility study stage.
• The project team has begun developing detention basin configuration alternatives and studying the environmental conditions and possible utilities in the project area.
• State Representative Armond Walle recently secured $18 million in earmark funding for this project as part of Texas House Bill 1.
• In addition to the funds secured by Rep. Walle, this project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-MIT) Program.
P518-12-00-E001 Blue Bell Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
This project will construct a dry-bottom, in-line stormwater detention basin and a wet-bottom, off-line stormwater detention basin to reduce the risk of flooding. This project recently completed the Feasibility Study stage, and is in the initiation of kicking off the PER stage.
• Negotiations with the selected Engineer of Record are ongoing, which are needed to begin Preliminary Engineering.
Preliminary Engineering (PER) Stage
Tributaries P118-23-00 & P118-23-02 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-26)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and stormwater detention west of Hardy Toll Road and south of Halls Bayou. Currently, this project is in the PER stage.
• The final PER for this project is expected to be completed in Q1 2024.
• The project team is coordinating with local utilities to resolve expected conflicts and finalizing right-of-way acquisition.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Tributary P118-27-00 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-30)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and related stormwater detention between Rockcliff Drive and Airline Drive. Currently, this project is in the Preliminary Engineering (PER) stage.
• The project team has completed its topographical and geotechnical analysis as part of the Preliminary Engineering Report, which continues to progress.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
• The Flood Control District has also applied for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistant (FMA) Grant Program.
Tributary P118-09-00 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-24)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and stormwater detention north of Halls Bayou between Homestead Road and North Wayside Drive. Currently this project is nearing the end of the PER stage.
• In August 2023, the Flood Control District received the draft PER submission for this project, with the final geotechnical report expected to be received in Q1 2024.
• This project will soon enter the Design stage, pending transmittal of the final PER to and approval by the Harris County Commissioners Court.
• In January 2023, the Commissioners Court accepted funding through FEMA’s Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation (LPDM) Grant Program, following the Flood Control District’s successful application to the program.
• A community engagement meeting will be held in the coming months on this project.
Tributary P118-08-00 Channel Conveyance Improvements (Bond ID: C-23)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and potential stormwater detention between Homestead Road and North Wayside Drive, south of Halls Bayou. Currently this project is finishing the PER stage.
• The PER was submitted by the engineer of record to the Flood Control District in August 2023 and is currently being prepared for submission to Commissioners Court.
• This project will soon enter the Design stage, pending acceptance of the final PER by Commissioners Court.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
• A community engagement meeting will be held in the coming months on this project.
Hardy West Regional Stormwater Detention Basin (Bond ID: C-41)
This project includes stormwater detention basins and channel conveyance improvements on the main stem of Halls Bayou to the west of Hardy Toll Road. After completing the Feasibility Study stage earlier this year, this project is now in the beginning of the PER stage.
• The project team is currently finalizing the alternatives for the PER, which will ultimately recommend a preferred alternative for the project.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Main Stem Channel Conveyance Improvements Downstream of Hopper (Bond ID: C-41)
This project includes mainstream channel conveyance improvements on the main stem of Halls Bayou downstream of Hopper Road. Currently this project is nearing the end of the PER stage.
• The PER is ongoing as the project team continues coordination of conveyance improvements widths, side slopes, back slope swales and right-of-way coordination regarding adjacent hike and bike trails.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
• The Flood Control District also applied last fall for funding through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
Design Stage
Isom Stormwater Detention Basin Project (Bond ID: C-41)
This project will construct the Isom Stormwater Detention Basin by expanding the existing P518-11-00-E001 and TxDOT basins north of the main stem of Halls Bayou and west of Aldine Westfield Road. This project recently began the Design stage.
• The project team is currently preparing an initial design report that will refine and update the basin concept that was developed in the PER.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Channel Conveyance Improvements on Tributary P118-26-00 (Bond ID: C-01)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and expansion of the existing stormwater detention basins running north to south between Lillja Road and Airline Drive. Currently this project is nearing completion of the Design stage.
• The project team is coordinating with local utility companies to relocate utilities for the proposed project.
• The Flood Control District is continuing to finalize right-of-way acquisition for this project with local property owners.
• This project is envisioned to receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Tributaries P118-25-00 and P118-25-01 Channel Conveyance Improvements and Related Stormwater Detention (Bond ID: C-28)
This project involves channel conveyance improvements and stormwater detention west of Hardy Toll Road and north of Halls Bayou. The Preliminary Engineering (PER) stage is complete, and currently this project is in the Design stage.
• The project team is coordinating with local utility companies to relocate utilities for the proposed project.
• The Flood Control District is continuing to finalize right-of-way acquisition for this project with local property owners.