MontCo Debates Flood Study Funding Vote

**Flood Study Sparks Heated Debate in Montgomery County, Decision Pushed to June 11th**

**CONROE, TX – May 28, 2024** – The Montgomery County Commissioners Court faced a lively and at times contentious discussion Tuesday regarding a proposed $2.5 million flood mitigation study for the Lower West Fork San Jacinto River Watershed, ultimately delaying a decision until mid-June. The study, primarily spearheaded by the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), seeks local matching funds, with Montgomery County’s share potentially reaching $250,000.

The need for comprehensive flood mitigation studies intensified across the Houston region in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which caused catastrophic flooding in parts of Montgomery County and downstream in Harris County. The proposed study aims to model water flow, identify vulnerable areas, and propose both structural and non-structural solutions for the watershed, which drains significant portions of Montgomery County before flowing into Lake Houston and beyond.

While a significant portion of the $2.5 million cost is expected to be covered by a grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) – the state agency responsible for water planning and infrastructure funding – local contributions are required. Montgomery County’s potential $250,000 would be supplemented by the SJRA, a public agency managing water resources in the San Jacinto River basin, which has committed to covering an additional 10% of the local match.

However, the proposal met with strong resistance from residents and some commissioners, who voiced deep concerns about the study’s scope and the perceived lack of transparency in its development. Residents like Jeff Harrison from River Plantation and DeeDee Permenter, a homeowner from Kingwood, expressed fears that the study’s recommendations might disproportionately benefit Harris County at the expense of Montgomery County. Their primary concern is that proposed solutions could direct or hold back floodwaters upstream, exacerbating flooding in Montgomery County communities.

Commissioner James Noack (Precinct 1) was particularly critical of the process, describing it as “tainted.” He argued that H-GAC, the regional planning organization, and SJRA had bypassed Montgomery County by failing to engage local officials and residents earlier in the planning stages of such a critical regional study.

“How can you have a comprehensive flood plan for our county if you don’t even include these vital areas?” Noack questioned, highlighting that the study’s proposed boundaries stop at the Lake Conroe Dam and fail to include areas north of the dam or the entire Spring Creek watershed. These omissions, he and others argued, render the study incomplete and potentially inadequate for addressing Montgomery County’s unique flood challenges.

Conversely, County Judge Mark Keough urged for a more measured approach, emphasizing that the proposal is purely for a data-gathering study, not an approval of any specific flood mitigation projects. He reassured the public that any proposed projects resulting from the study would still require full county approval and public input down the line. Judge Keough did, however, agree with the public’s demand for a dedicated Montgomery County representative on the study’s oversight board to ensure local interests are properly advocated throughout the process.

Russell Boening, a consultant with Freese and Nichols, the engineering and consulting firm involved in the study, explained that it is intended to be a collaborative, data-driven effort aimed at identifying regional flood solutions that benefit all stakeholders.

The Commissioners Court opted not to make an immediate decision on May 28th. Instead, they are scheduled to vote on whether to approve their portion of the funding and officially join the study during their next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11th, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the Commissioners Courtroom, located at 501 N. Thompson St. in Conroe. Residents are expected to once again attend and voice their perspectives on this pivotal regional flood planning effort.