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Public Workshop (October 30, 2010)
The workshop entitled “Regional Flood Control: Its impact on Our Economy and Quality of Life” held October 30, 2010 was well attended (61 registered plus additional staff and VIPs) and considered very useful by attendees as well as the presenters. It was part of an effort to raise public awareness about the local flood control systems and to solicit input from local citizens in an effort to identify the needs of the community. This is to help shape the capital improvement plan for drainage infrastructure with a goal of timely economic recovery after a major flood event.
The following link includes the workshop agenda: PubWorkshpAgenda-Oct30
As shown in the agenda, there were several speakers that presented the historical and recent effects and challenges of flooding on public health, business, transportation and agriculture. (SpeakerBios) The speakers were well received and their presentations appreciated. Links to presentations that were made available by the speakers are included in links below:
- Presentation01_MajorStormsRGV-BarryGoldsmith
- Presentation02_USIBWCFloodwaySystem-EdDrusina
- Presentation03_DrainageDistricts-GodfreyGarza
- Presentation04_IrrigationDistricts-WayneHalbert
- Presentation05_PublicHealthIssues-EddieOlivarez
- Presentation06_AgricultureIssues-RodSantaAna
- Presentation07_TransportationChallenges-MarioJorge
- Presentation08_LRGVRegionalEAP-DannyRios
A number of public officials were present including U.S. Congress Ruben Hinojosa, USIBWC Commissioner Edward Drusina, and Mayors America Gonzales, Steve Brewer, and Chris Boswell. Reporters and television crews were also present.
One of the main purposes of this workshop was to gather public input. Map exhibits were provided as a basis of discussion with attendees and technical personnel to identify specific areas of concerns of attendees. The links to the map exhibits are as follows:
- CameronCountyFloodplainMap
- HidalgoCountyFloodplainMap
- StarrCountyFloodplainMap
- WillacyCountyFloodplainMap
Comment forms were also made available; 25 people filled out forms. The most frequent comment was the need for drainage ditch improvements; re-configure, expand, excavate, rehabilitate and maintain were some of the words used in completing the forms. Individuals were also concerned about roads and homes underwater, and many voiced the need for better city and county planning and oversights when developing subdivisions. During the Public Comment Session the main concerned voiced was in relation to colonia residents; there were pleas to consider the most vulnerable in this flood study and the need to disseminate information and funds and to make transportation more available/accessible to these areas. A link to a blank comment form can be found at the bottom of this page; completed forms can be mailed to S&B Infrastructure, Ltd., Attn: S. Teague, 5408 N. 10th Street, McAllen, TX 78504.
This workshop can be considered a precursor to the first round of formal public meetings for Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties, scheduled for the week of January 10, 2011. There were lessons learned from this workshop. Some of the feedback gathered was the need to keep the information presented less technical and to provide solutions to the problems caused by flooding.
Link to the Workshop Comment Form is: PublicCommentForm
Additional public comment regarding this page and/or the project can be made with the following link:
