Christof Spieler, on behalf of the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium, comments on a proposal to move forward post-Harvey.
On Oct. 25, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett released 15 recommendations for mitigating damages from future flood events. The researchers collaborating through the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium appreciate his willingness to release his priorities for public review and discussion.
The consortium was established by the Houston Endowment, Kinder Foundation and Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation to provide the public and decision-makers with important information so that Harris County and related watersheds can be rebuilt as a stronger, more resilient, more equitable and more livable region.
We found Judge Emmett’s list to have many merits. The consortium is thoroughly assessing the implications of the 15 recommendations and plans to share our conclusions soon. In advance of detailed conclusions, we have organized the issues into six broad themes.
See here for the background. You should read the whole thing, but I’ll give you those six broad themes: Structural projects, green infrastructure, risk education, development and buildings, planning, and governance. There’s a lot to do, but there’s a lot to talk about first, and the conversation is just beginning. Read and see what you think.
They have been talking and studying the problem for a long time, not sure what more talking and more studying will do.
As the Chronicle reported, my words, like car makers it is cheaper to pay for each death then to recall the vehicles. That is exactly what Emmett and the rest of the County leaders have engaged in. Can’t blame Turner he has not been there long enough but Lanier, Brown, White, and Parker deserve their share of blame for being do nothings in regards to flooding.
But the county does not pay for each death that they are responsible for and yes, they are responsible for them. the same if as they has gotten in a car while drunk and killed them.
When the Medical Center flooded they knew what to do, they didn’t study it, they fixed it, has not flooded since. Upstream for them it has gotten worse.