Washington, DC – Yesterday, in a bill passed by the House of Representatives, Congressman Al Green (TX-9) secured projects that would authorize studies to determine more effective methods of alleviating flood waters in both Harris and Fort Bend Counties. Between the two counties, there are more than 22 primary watersheds, each with its own independent flooding problem.

“Representing a District that’s susceptible to devastating flood waters, one of my highest local priorities is providing federal assistance for local flood control efforts. These comprehensive studies will assess the design and implementation of our current flood control projects and examine useful methods to effectively mitigate flood damage to our streets, businesses and neighborhoods,” Green said.

The House passed Water Resources and Development Act, HR 2864, directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to plan, build and operate a wide range of water resources projects that maintain navigable channels and control floods.

Green’s projects will require the Corps to conduct an extensive study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for flood damage reduction in both Harris and Fort Bend Counties. These studies will help to reduce future flood losses by providing local flood control districts with a more accurate tool to identify flood-prone areas and methods to address the problem of flooding in the region.

Green also secured a feasibility study for Missouri City’s Cangelosi Ditch Project, a project already underway. The Cangelosi Ditch Master Drainage Plan was adopted by the Missouri City, City Council in November 1997. Green’s study will help optimize the multi-jurisdictional ditch project that includes portions of Fort Bend County, Stafford, Missouri City and the headwaters of Sims Bayou, which effects drainage all the way to Hobby Airport.

Historically, flooding has been the most common natural disaster in the region and the most costly, resulting in more property damages than any other natural disaster. Nearly four years ago, the Houston region suffered from one of the most destructive storms to hit southeast Texas, Tropical Storm Allison, which inflicted over $5 billion in damages on the region. Green’s projects will aid local and state flood authorities in effectively decreasing the enormous price of flood damage to area residents by identifying flood hazards in the region and making recommendations on how to eliminate these hazards.

“The benefit of these projects is that they take into consideration not only cost-benefit analysis but also the impact on quality of life in the surrounding counties. I am encouraged by the potential these studies have to produce a more efficient flood control plan that will protect our infrastructure and save taxpayer dollars and human lives,” Green said.