LID 15 Strategic Plan

On May 16, 2022, the LID 15 Strategic Plan was adopted by the District’s Board of Directors. The planning process began at a special workshop in January, and the Board continued to evaluate options and prioritize actions over the next four months. The District plans to implement the goals listed below over the next three years. The LID 15 Board welcomes input from the community about the vision outlined below. Residents are encouraged to visit https://www.fblid15.com/contact-us/ and provide feedback.

Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 15

Strategic Plan
Adopted May 16, 2022

Our Mission, is a COMMITMENT to provide residents and commercial property owners with the HIGHEST quality flood plain reclamation, flood prevention, and stormwater drainage improvements in the most cost-effective manner.

Pillars of Success

Quality Services
Transcending Standards
Operational Efficiency

  1. Quality Services: The District commits to providing its residents and commercial property owners with the highest quality of services authorized within our mission.
    1. The District will update its levee and drainage facilities inventory, and define and implement maintenance service levels for each.
    2. The District will assess its non-flood prevention assets (including certain parks, roads and wetlands), and define and implement maintenance schedules for each.
    3. The District will inventory all software and data sources used by consultants and research alternatives that could be owned by the District.
    4. The District will analyze its current management and staffing model using outsourced consultants and research the direct hiring of staff, including evaluating the related costs, benefits, and risks.
  2. Transcending Standards: The District will strive to meet or exceed the laws and regulatory requirements applicable to the flood-protection services provided by FBCLID 15.
    1. The District will continually review current local, state, and federal laws and regulatory requirements applicable to the flood-protection services provided by FBCLID 15. A capital improvement program will be prepared for any flood control assets that do not meet the current requirements. Alternatives will be identified for assets that do not exceed the latest standards.
    2. The District will review current stakeholder communications and develop a plan to improve public information regarding flood risks and protection.
    3. The District will foster relationships with local, state and federal agencies.
    4. The District will adopt an encroachment policy to preserve easement access.
  3. Operational Efficiency: The District will endeavor to provide world-class services in the most cost-effective manner.
    1. The District will perform budget and operations benchmarking at the state and national level.
    2. The District will develop an enhanced Procurement Policy.
    3. The District will prepare a long-term financial plan that includes projections for future tax rates and reserve funds.

Lake Sommerville Dam Tour

The primary function of LID 15 is to prevent Brazos River flooding, and Lake Sommerville is the closest flood control reservoir in the watershed. Lake Sommerville is approximately 100 miles upstream of LID 15 and is located about 10 miles north of Brenham, Texas. On April 22, Fort Bend County hosted a tour of the Lake Sommerville dam and spillways with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). USACE is considered a world-wide leader in dam and levee safety, so the tour was attended by numerous Levee Improvement District (LID) officials from Fort Bend County, including members of the LID 15 Board of Directors.

The Lake Somerville dam (pictured below) can hold back more than 507,500 acre-feet (165 billion gallons) of water. This incredible volume of water has a major impact on Brazos River flood conditions downstream in LID 15. Therefore, the operations and maintenance of Lake Somerville directly impacts emergency responses across Fort Bend County. The tour allowed LID representatives to get an up-close view and gain first-hand experience with reservoir operations on the Brazos River. The event was also a networking opportunity to meet with other professionals that manage flood risks in southeast Texas.

Lake Sommerville Dam and Spillway in Background. Pictured in Foreground: Marcus Schimank – USACE, Glen Gill – LID 15 Assistant Secretary, and Rohit Sankholkar – LID 15 President (left to right).

Lake Sommerville Emergency Spillway – Fort Bend County Tour Group

Nutria Abatement

LID 15 is scheduled to perform additional nutria abatement June 2 during the overnight hours: 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.  The District continues to address maintenance issues in Riverstone lakes and wetlands that are caused by nutria.  Nutria are considered an invasive species, and in 2020 the District started a program to control their population in Riverstone. Nutria are more than a nuisance animal, as their burrows can cause stability issues with the levee. They also consume and destroy valuable wetlands vegetation that LID 15 is legally required to maintain under federal law. Due to potential risks to the levee, wetlands, and public health and safety, the nutria must be removed from the community.

To successfully remove this invasive species from the community, pest control contractors must work late at night in public parks that are adjacent to homes and backyards.  The contractors will be present in wetlands area around Riverstone and all personnel will be uniformed and clearly identifiable to residents.  The District has also coordinated with the Precinct 3 Constable to patrol the area in case any residents are alarmed or unaware of this public notice.  The District appreciates the communities patience dealing with nutria issues and thanks residents for their understanding and consideration.

https://www.fblid15.com/contact-us