Evaluation of Existing and Future Conditions

A major portion of the development of the LRGV Regional EAP requires an evaluation of existing and future conditions.  This will be accomplished with five major steps:

1. Land Use Characterization Study
2. Evaluation of Major Assets and Revenue Generators
3. Performance of Drainage System Condition Surveys
4. Evaluation of Environmental Constraints
5. Recommendations Regarding FEMA Map Revisions

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1.  Land Use Characterization Study.  This task involves mapping the existing conditions of the area with respect to land use, as well as identifying the future growth in 20 years.  The steps involced in this include the following:

a. Obtain any existing land use data from the entities within the study area, both existing and future.  (If an entitiy does not have a land use plan, a conceptual plan will be developed by the project team.)  The land use data is developed with geographic information system (GIS) software.  The GIS technician generates and/or ensures that the GIS-based land use are based on the project-identified categories and attributes (Anderson).

b. Confirm future boundaries of each entity (for development in 20-years).

c. Incorporate and overlay existing and future roadways, major environmental issues and constraints, impacts from Hurricanes Alex & Ike, and the FEMA FIRM.

d. Compare existing / future land use.

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 2.  Evaluation of Major Assets and Revenue Generators.  The grant for this project is from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).  Under this grant it is required to identify the economic impacts with regards to natural disasters such as flooding. 

a. Identify major assets for the region.  For each entity identified in the project study area, the project team will identify each entitiy's major assets that keep the community / entity and/or region economically viable.

b. Itemize the benefits of each asset in terms of revenue.

c. Determine the project or projects (identified through the development of the CIP) associated with providing relief or protection of the assest from flooding; evaluate the cost of the project(s) in relation to the benefits of the asset.

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 3.  Perform Drainage System Condition Surveys.  From the collected existing drainage reports / studies and the inventories provided by the entities, the project team will perform the following to provide a better understanding of the existing drainage system: 

a. With each entity, review existing drainage systems and associated components, including ourfalls. 

b. Identify any deficiencies with an evaluation of conditions of major components only of the drainage systems (thru the info and discussions from the owners / entities on any structural, operational, and maintenance issues); categorize the deficiencies.

c. Review identified projects (from the development of the CIP) and any alternatives assoicated with improvements to the deficiencies.

d. Apply benefit-cost and rate the deficiencies.

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 4.  Evaluate Environmental Constraints.   

a. Perform limited investigations thru data-base research and windshield surveys; and,  

b. Identify any permitting requirements (Section 404 CWA, Section 10 Rivers and Harbors, cultural resources, historical preservation, and protected species).

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 5.  FEMA Map Revisions.    Identify areas / recommend only for future physical map revisions (PMR) and letters of map revisions (LOMR), as required.

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Additional public comment regarding this page and/or the project can be made with the following link: