Primary Department: Flood Control District
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Dr. Tina Petersen, P.E.
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Transmittal by the Flood Control District of a white paper identifying potential tunnel pilot projects along Buffalo Bayou and Greens, Halls, and Hunting Bayous, including high-level scope, delivery and funding strategies, and benefits.
end
Background and Discussion:
Following April 10, 2025, HCCC directive, the Flood Control District developed a white paper identifying pilot project options using deep tunnel conveyance for flood mitigation along Buffalo Bayou and Greens/Halls/Hunting Bayous.
This white paper evaluates conceptual segments, delivery methods, benefits, estimated costs, funding opportunities, timeline, and implementation considerations including environmental permitting and ROW acquisition.
Expected Impact:
Potential for significant flood risk reduction, improved regional stormwater management capacity, reduced construction footprint relative to surface channels, and acceleration of long-term tunnel system implementation through early pilot testing and institutional knowledge gain.
Alternative Options:
Alternative options include using traditional open-channel improvements or waiting for full-scale tunnel system implementation without pilot testing. These options could pose higher community/environmental impacts or defer institutional learning and interim flood mitigation benefits.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: H: Improve the condition and resilience of County transportation, flood control, and other infrastructure.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Action Taken |
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04/10/2025 |
298. |
Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 3 for discussion and possible action on tunnels pilot program. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 5/22/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Scott Elmer, Chief Partnerships and Programs Officer
Attachments (if applicable): White Paper to Identify Potential Pilot Projects Utilizing Tunnel Conveyance Along Buffalo Bayou and Halls, Hunting, Greens Bayous