From the cover
Delivering drainage
BY HANNAH BROL
More than half of the project funding would go toward storm sewer and trunkline improvements. Project breakdown
Zooming in
The big picture
Per Precinct 4 officials, to qualify for the FMA program, proposed projects: • Have a benefit-cost ratio greater than 1.0, mean- ing the project’s benefits outweigh its costs • Had structures with repetitive flood loss, as identified through previous FEMA claims • Are not located within a floodplain • Are precinct-identified locations with drainage issues Proposed projects identified for grant funding include channel and ditch improvements, storm sewer and trunkline improvements, as well as new channel or detention features. Per the study, which was completed by Cascade Civil Services, the project with the highest benefit- cost ratio in Precinct 4 is in Shadowland Retreat and would benefit 13 structures. The $3.69 million project would add a 36-inch storm sewer and a
The FMA program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to communities for projects to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to structures insured by the National Flood Insurance Program, per FEMA’s website. In Texas, funding is administered by the Texas Water Development Board. Precinct 4 officials said they selected the FMA program because it is the largest recurring flood mitigation grant program. The precinct has also applied for other drainage improvement grants through other grant programs. “We are hopeful,” Williams said. “Commissioner Gray has a strong track record in securing grants, with over $98 million in federal and state funding brought into the precinct in his first term. If all projects are awarded, it would bring $53 million of our federal tax dollars back to Precinct 4, reducing flood risk for 440 homes.”
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$79.57M Total benefits:
Total cost: $53M
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Homes benefited
Funding source
Cost
Channel and ditch improvements
$30M 80
1
Storm sewer and trunkline improvements
$14M
300
2
New channel or detention features
$9M
60
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SOURCES: MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT 4, CASCADE CIVIL SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
new 4-foot by 2-foot culvert to improve drainage and reduce flood depth by up to 2 feet.
Between fiscal years 2015-22, the TWDB awarded approximately $526.1 million in total funding to communities statewide through the FMA program. Statewide grant funding
Also of note
handled by the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management. “The goal is for the whole project—including the [East Montgomery County] portion—to advertise for construction by the end of 2026, after the [environmental analysis] is completed and approved,” Williams said. Additionally, Precinct 4 officials said they are continuing to use $9.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding toward the mitigation and cleaning up of outfalls and drainage channels throughout East Montgomery County.
In addition to the Precinct 4 Flood Mitigation Grant Plan, the Texas General Land Office Desnagging Project is expected to kick off in Montgomery County this year and will span 136 miles of stream within the San Jacinto Watershed. Approximately $36.4 million of the total $60.4 million project will be spent in East Montgomery County, per Precinct 4 officials. Precinct 4 officials noted the project is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Mitigation program, and is being
$451.2M awarded in federal funding
$74.9M awarded in local funding
129,400 structures benefited
SOURCES: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Next steps
Timeline
2024
2025
2026
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Data is collected and flood risk assessment is conducted. Projects are identified and models are analyzed. Plan is developed and reported. Public outreach is completed and benefit- cost ratio is evaluated. Study report is finalized.
Precinct 4 officials said the first project will be submitted once the study report has been approved and FEMA announces the next Notice of Funding Opportunity, which typically takes place in the fall. Project submission order will be reevaluated annually and will be based on the benefit-cost ratio score as well as the timing of other projects. Williams noted it typically takes about one year or longer from application to award for this type of grant. Project construction would take place over the next 20 years as funding is available.
Fall 2026: Application period opens and first project is submitted.
SOURCES: MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT 4, CASCADE CIVIL SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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