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(August 14, 2019) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Technical Bulletins 0, 4, and 8 are now available and serve to provide guidance for complying with the minimum NFIP floodplain management requirements pertaining to building performance. The bulletins are primarily for use by state and local officials responsible for interpreting and enforcing building codes and NFIP regulations. They are also helpful for design professionals, builders, and homeowners. Information
(August 13, 2019) An analysis by Climate Central, Princeton, N.J. and Zillow Seattle, shows nearly 20,000 homes built in the past decade are at significant risk of chronic coastal flooding by 2050. Read the summary provided by Mortgage Bankers Association. Information
(July 8, 2019) Governor Abbott recently signed legislation creating new flood financing programs and a state flood planning process to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). These programs will greatly expand the State's efforts to plan for and mitigate flood as well as provide funding for drainage and flood projects. For more information on the programs, please view our newly released frequently asked questions. To ensure creation of programs that meet the needs of a diverse state, they will be asking for comments from the public and as many stakeholders as possible, will be holding meetings around the state, and will have a process in place to receive comments to develop administrative rules for the programs. To receive all our information on that process, please sign up for our email updates. The link will take you to a sign-up page that allows you to choose various topics for which you would like to receive our emails. Be sure to check the box for TWDB Flood Information. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 512-463-8725.
(June 27,2019) The Brazosport Facts reports Brazoria County Commissioners’ Court approved the contract with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality a the court’s meeting Tuesday morning. The agreement, which caps the cost at $10.7 million, allows the county to move ahead and apply for permits to begin dredging the mouth of the San Bernard River.
(June 3, 2019) Check out the latest edition of “The Flow of . . . Trash Free Waters,” the newsletter of EPA’s Trash Free Waters program. This issue is posted on the EPA Trash Free Waters web site, where you can see previous issues and lots of other helpful information to support your efforts to keep trash out of our waters. Don’t forget to check out upcoming events and grant opportunities listed in “The Rapids” section at the end of the newsletter.
(May 31, 2019) Report: U.S. Household Disaster Giving Report Based on new data on U.S. households’ disaster giving in 2017 and 2018, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Candid and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released the U.S. Household Disaster Giving in 2017 and 2018 report. Using recent survey data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households, the report presents findings on the patterns of household disaster giving and the factors driving individuals to donate after disasters. It provides insights for foundations and other nonprofit organizations to engage individuals to help with disaster aid effectively. Information
(May 31, 2019) Texas Recovery Office News Release: Learn coping skills for Harvey-related stress
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there is no better time to assess stress levels and find ways to improve coping skills. Hurricane Harvey upended Texans’ lives, many are still working through the aftermath. FEMA is providing information to support post-disaster trauma. Information
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there is no better time to assess stress levels and find ways to improve coping skills. Hurricane Harvey upended Texans’ lives, many are still working through the aftermath. FEMA is providing information to support post-disaster trauma. Information
(May 30, 2019) FEMA Publishes New Disaster Guide FEMA published the New Recipients of Disaster Grants Guide, a centralized resource document for state, local, tribal and territorial governments. This guide provides streamlined guidance on the essential elements of Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and required actions to request, initiate and receive FEMA disaster assistance grants. Information
(May 24, 2019) Texas General Land Office Needs Your Feedback on its CDBG-DR Mitigation Funds. HUD awarded Texas $4.38 billion in CDBG-DR funds for mitigation activities related to the 2015 and 2016 floods and Hurricane Harvey. GLO requests feedback on these needs and challenges. Please see the attached pdf for more information and follow this link to complete the survey.
(April 30, 2019) When Congress returns from recess next week, one of the key legislative issues they are expected to take up is infrastructure spending. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on April 30, 2019 to discuss the issue. Both parties have stated that they are optimistic that they can make progress on the issue, which is a shared legislative priority for the President and Congressional leadership
(March 28, 2019) Believe it or not, nonprofits enjoy higher rates of user engagement on Instagram than nearly any other industry. However, creating the perfect experience for your intended audience can be quite tricky. Information.
(March 25, 2019) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new guidance for states to use when applying for financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. In 2018 the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) committed $2.8 billion in drinking water infrastructure loans and refinancing and disbursed $2.5 billion for drinking water infrastructure to improve the nation’s public health. Information.
(February 8, 2019) The Brazoria County Parks Department won an H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Award for the Quintana Beach County Park Discovery Event Center.
(January 28, 2019) The Facts, the main newspaper for Brazoria County, put out a call in an editorial for residents of the Oyster Creek watershed to participate in an H-GAC Bacteria Reduction Water Quality Project for the waterway.