Washington, D.C. - The Energy & Water Appropriations bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representative contains $350,000 in federal resources for the White Oak Bayou Flood Project.  Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) worked hard to make sure today’s bill included the designated funds for White Oak and the Harris County Flood Control.  Since representing the White Oak Bayou, City of Jersey Village area in 2002 Brady has secured a total of $1.15 million in federal resources for the flood project.   

“This month alone, our region has seen 14 inches of rain fall.  The flood control projects, like the one along the White Oak Bayou, are proving to be a good investment in preventing floods and protecting resident’s homes.  The additional funding secured today will help Harris County to continue completing the White Oak Bayou project.  It is obvious to those in Houston and Washington that preventing floods in the City of Jersey Village and around Houston is better than repairing the damage after floods," said Brady.

According to Harris Country Flood Control, a majority of the construction activity for the White Oak Bayou Flood Project is occurring in the upper portion of the White Oak Bayou watershed. Construction on the first 1.2 miles of the Jersey Village bypass channel has begun, while significant channel modifications on White Oak Bayou between Beltway 8 and North Houston Rosslyn will begin soon. Additionally, several stormwater detention basins are currently being excavated. Their locations are varied along White Oak Bayou between North Houston Rosslyn and Jones Road.

In addition to the structural efforts that are part of the flood damage reduction project, over 500 homes have been bought out in the White Oak Bayou watershed and residents moved to higher ground, forever removing the possibility of those structures flooding again.