Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | July 2025

Government

BY WESLEY GARDNER

New district to aid lake dredging eorts for the district, which will be paid out in two $25 million installments in 2025 and 2026. Houston District E council member Fred Flick- inger said he believes the creation of the district will reduce the overall cost of dredging operations.

“Not having to pay the state the fee for removing sediment for every cubic yard is a huge deal. Now, we

can sell that [sediment and additional material] and put all the money right back into dredging.” FRED FLICKINGER, HOUSTON DISTRICT E COUNCIL MEMBER

Following a pair of failed attempts in 2021 and 2023, the 89th Texas Legislature approved the creation of a special district aimed at alleviating ooding and the buildup of sand and sediment in Lake Houston. The details State lawmakers approved House Bill 1532— authored by state Rep. Charles Cunningham, R Humble—in late May, creating the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District. According to the bill, the district will oversee ongoing dredging operations in Lake Houston. “I have been a resident for decades, and we have faced long, ongoing struggles with ooding,” Cunningham said in an emailed statement. “The dredging district means now we have a plan for moving forward.” A closer look The bill includes an initial $50 million in funding

“A signi“cant part of the cost is the mobiliza- tion—getting the equipment out there and then removing the equipment,” he said. Flickinger noted the district will be able to generate additional revenue through the sale of sand, sediment and other material removed from the lake. What’s next According to the bill, Harris County and city of Houston o–cials will appoint three members each to serve on the district’s board of directors. The city and county will then need to agree on the appointment of the seventh member. Board members will serve staggered, four-year terms.

Bill breakdown $50M provided by the state, split between $25M installments in 2025 and 2026 Sept. 1, 2026 date by which the board members are required to be appointed 7 members on district, including 3 from the county, 3 from the city and 1 agreed upon by both Since 2017, local, state and federal agencies have: Contributed roughly $222 million to dredging eorts in Lake Houston Removed more than 4 million cubic yards of sand and sediment from the lake

SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON DISTRICT EŒCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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