Texas recently received $1 Billion in new funding from FEMA for hazard and flood mitigation. Additionally, Congress has finally passed legislation that includes funding for disaster recovery in Texas and around the country.
These important packages include funding that will help make the Cypress Creek Reservoir a reality. I look forward to facilitating communication with Katy Prairie Conservancy to ensure this project will protect our area from future flooding while respecting the natural heritage of Katy.
“Texas has maintained from the beginning that we would rebuild in ways that reduce the risk of future damage to property and lives, and that’s exactly what these funds are for,” said Governor Abbott. “While this announcement is another important step toward recovery, we still have more work ahead of us, and I want to reassure every Texan impacted by Harvey that we will not let up until your homes and communities are restored.”
The new FEMA hazard mitigation funds can be used in a number of ways, including:
- Buyouts and elevations of flood prone properties
- Drainage and reservoir projects that eliminate future flooding
- Projects to lessen the frequency or severity of flooding
- Flood risk reduction projects (dams, retention basins, levees, floodwalls)
- Large-scale channeling of waterways
Of the estimated $1 billion that Texas will receive, $500 million in funding is available today, while the remaining funding will be provided on or before August 25, 2018. Additional funds may also become available as FEMA continues to review and approve project requests from Texas cities and counties.
In addition to the hazard mitigation funds, the Governor praised the recent passage of disaster-relief funding totaling $89 billion by Congress.
The legislation provides $89.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to help states, communities, businesses, and individuals respond and recover from recent hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters.
Highlights of the aid package include:
- $23.5 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund, the primary funding source for immediate disaster response. The funding will support response and recovery efforts already underway by FEMA, including estimated needs for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and Hurricane Maria.
- $17.39 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, largely targeted for projects to reduce the risk of future damages from flood and storm events. This is likely where funding for the Cypress Creek Reservoir will come from.
- $28 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund to help communities rebuild damages homes, buildings, and infrastructure.
- $1.65 billion to the Small Business Administration to further support the disaster loan program, and $600 million to the Department of Commerce for Economic Development Administration grants to support immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery projects.
- $2.46 billion to restart operations at elementary and secondary schoolsaffected by the hurricanes and wildfires, and for temporary assistance for schools, including private schools outside of affected areas, serving elementary and secondary school students displaced by the disasters.
- $434.3 million for the Department of Defense, $720.9 million for military construction, and $718.9 million for the U.S. Coast Guard to recover from damage caused to defense and border security facilities and equipment during the 2017 hurricane season.
- $149.5 million to repair and strengthen damaged Customs and Border Patrol facilities.
- $93.5 million to help the VA repair damaged hospitals and facilities.
- Includes important oversight and accountability measures within and across agencies to ensure responsible use of taxpayer funds.
- Includes a provision ensuring religious nonprofit organizations are given the same opportunity to qualify for certain disaster assistance as their secular counterparts.
Katy Mills Mall (Parking Lot) Disaster Recovery Center Relocates Within Harris County AUSTIN, Texas – The State of Texas/Federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the Katy Mills Mall parking lot (Harris County) located at 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy, Texas 77494 was relocated a short distance away. The new location is:Clay Road Shopping Center19214 Clay Road Katy, TX 77449 Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Disaster recovery centers offer in-person support to individuals and businesses in counties included in the Texas federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Harvey. Recovery specialists from the State of Texas, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies will be at the new DRC. Disaster recovery centers are accessible to people with disabilities, and are equipped with assistive technology equipment such as amplified telephones, phones that display text, amplified listening devices and magnifiers.High Speed Raid Comment Period Extended & Additional Public Hearing Scheduled The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is extending the comment period for the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement to March 9, 2018. Submit comments to Kevin Wright, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE MS-20,Washington, D.C. 20590. Comments can also be submitted online at www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0779 or via email to DallasHoustonHSR@urs.com. Additional Public Hearing: Comments may also be provided orally or in writing at the public hearing scheduled on March 5. Before the public hearing presentation begins, an open house will be held to allow for comments, questions and review of project exhibits. FRA and Texas Central High Speed Railway (TCRR) staff will be available to answer questions at that time. The public hearing presentation will begin at 6 pm, followed by a public comment period.
- Monday, March 5, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West, Houston, TX 77092
District Spotlight: Opening of Paetow High School I was pleased to speak at the dedication of Paetow High School recently. Katy’s newest (for the moment) high school is named for longtime principal Patti Paetow.Katy is growing so fast that I have been to three Katy ISD school openings already this year — and it’s only February.
At the Capitol I was delighted to participate in a panel discussion of the proposal by Sen. Kelly Hancock and me to create a real limit on state spending. The panel was part of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual three-day policy symposium in Austin. Thanks, TPPF, for shining the light on our need to prevent government from outgrowing Texans’ ability to pay.
God Bless Texas!
Mike Schofield
State Representative
Katy and Cypress