Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs Interim Report : 2017 Hurricane Harvey Response to the 86th Legislature November 2018 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Hurricane Harvey Interim Report Table of Contents Chairman's Letter………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Report Signatories……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Interim Charge #1 ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Interim Charge #2 .................................................................................................................................... 11 Interim Charge #3 .................................................................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Interim Report: 2017 Hurricane Harvey Response .................................................................................... 13 Interim Charge #1:....................................................................................................................................... 17 Committee Hearing Information ............................................................................................................ 17 Jurisdictional Background of Federal, State and Local Entities ............................................................. 17 Reservoirs in Texas .................................................................................................................................. 29 Dam Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................. 33 Committee Testimony on Interim Charge #1 ......................................................................................... 37 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 40 Interim Charge #2:....................................................................................................................................... 44 Committee Hearing Information ............................................................................................................ 44 Jurisdiction of Addicks and Barker Reservoirs ....................................................................................... 44 Committee Testimony on Interim Charge #2 ......................................................................................... 45 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 49 Interim Charge #3:....................................................................................................................................... 50 Committee Hearing Information ............................................................................................................ 50 Gages and Warning Systems in Texas .................................................................................................... 50 Committee Testimony on Interim Charge #3 ......................................................................................... 52 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 54 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................... 56 United States Geological Survey Stream Gage Operators....................................................................... 56 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................................... 58 Texas Reservoirs by Entity of Jurisdiction ................................................................................................ 58 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................................... 61 Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Dams in the Flood Control Program ........................... 61 2 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Hurricane Harvey Interim Report Executive Summary The Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Interim Hurricane Harvey report covers a range of flood planning and response issues. The committee under took multiple hearings, research, and meetings which continually confirmed the complexity of the flood response before, during and after Hurricane Harvey. There was confusion regarding jurisdictional authority for operational aspects of flood issues, including debris removal, reservoir release, planning and prevention, to funding responsibilities of governmental entities who have oversight of flooding events. The committee set out to identify the jurisdictional challenges that exist and make recommendations to redefine roles, promote better communication and coordination between the web of jurisdictions, identify potential funding for the prevention and mitigation of flood related issues, and always consider, where possible, water supply development as a solution for floodwater mitigation. Interim Charge #1 Testimony taken during the flood related hearings indicated that if previously completed plans and studies were implemented, it could have reduced the amount of damage sustained during Hurricane Harvey. Interim Charge #1 required the committee to look at all possibilities for flood mitigation and coordination among the numerous jurisdictions connected to flooding events and identify projects or strategies that would directly address infrastructure and coordination problems. Federal, state and local entities were identified and studied to gain a thorough understanding of the complicated roles each play in flood mitigation. Additionally, the committee examined the opportunity for another flood control and/or water supply reservoir in and around the Harris County region. A need for additional off-channel storage via diversion ponds or reservoirs was further confirmed from the recent flooding events. Following Hurricane Harvey, there have been funds designated to update plans for another reservoir, or other alternatives as the updated plan may indicate for Harris County. Finally, and most importantly, the root of many of the damages created by flood events is the lack of coordination on a watershed basis rather than politically created boundaries. Watersheds represent a scientific delineation in the land which defines drainage of water, streams, and rivers. These regions cross county, city, and regional political boundaries. Coordination between watersheds creates a more cohesive plan because it would consider structures, land development, and independent flood mitigation strategies of the various political subdivisions. Recommendations • Update the flood models based on watersheds while considering all jurisdictions potentially affected in a flood event. • Expand the role of an existing agency or create a new oversight process for the Texas Flood Plan by centralizing all local flood prevention plans. This would be like the State Water Plan. Based on the warehousing and updating of topography data in Texas, which is already in the scope and expertise of the Texas Water Development Board, the committee recommends that the Texas Water Development Board is best suited among current state agencies to gather 6 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs Hurricane Harvey Interim Report recommendations and plans created by local entities to develop and oversee implementation of a statewide flood plan. • The committee recommends reviewing the implementation of Community Development Block Grants - Disaster Recovery through the General Land Office. All efforts should be made to track these funds and promote inter-agency collaboration which will ensure the funds match their objectives and allow accountability from the legislature. • Coordinate and consolidate duplicative efforts between political subdivisions to develop community-based solutions which are then coordinated within the State Mitigation Disaster plan based on watersheds rather than individual counties or cities. • Incorporate communities that have participated in the Community Rating System for the National Flood Insurance Program into the planning process for flood control projects in the State Flood Plan. • Coordinate and consolidate resources from human and financial capital on established watersheds whenever possible. • The committee recommends clear delineation of the responsibilities of state agencies and river authorities with regard to dredging and debris removal. This is so that local officials and private landowners have direction on who they can contact for assistance in clearing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water ways. • To help promote coordination and an understanding of new flood related policies and procedures that will be put into place, the committee recommends that state and local emergency response teams go through additional