Washington, D.C. - United States Congressman Kevin Brady (R- The Woodlands) announced congressional funding of $400,000 to fund engineering and construction of the White Oak Bayou Project downstream of Jersey Village. The funding was recently approved by Congress in its Omnibus Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2003.

 

The local project, which will help relieve some of the frequent flooding in Jersey Village caused by flood waters backing up along the White Oak Bayou, is spearheaded by the Harris County Flood Control District and the Army Corps of Engineers.

"Jersey Village City leaders have been strong advocates for flood relief, and I am working hard to be responsive", said Brady, who has represented the community only since January when the new congressional lines took effect.

"This funding is important for two reasons. First, because downstream improvements on White Oak are critical to maximizing the impact of the Jersey Village detention and bypass channel projects.

"Second, we secured a unique designation for the project which allows it be built sooner. Every day counts when you know the next flood could be just around the corner."
The White Oak project is only one in a handful of projects in the nation where construction work can occur now and later be justified for federal funding participation. This will allow the Harris County Flood Control District  to start the project now and get reimbursed later, thus accelerating the flood relief for area neighborhoods.

Brady credits House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R- Sugarland) as being instrumental in creating this new capability as a provision of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996.

Mayor Ed Heathcott of Jersey Village stated, "I am very appreciative of Representative Brady's on-going support in helping to reduce flooding potential along White Oak Bayou. Flooding is the number one concern of the citizens in the Jersey Village area. This appropriation of $400,000 initiated by Congressman Brady is a clear statement to the Jersey Village area citizens that he understands and shares our concern that corrective action on White Oak Bayou needs to be fast tracked."