Hurricane Beryl Recovery Progress Update
LID 15 Hurricane Beryl recovery remains on hold until an Emergency Watershed Protection Grant is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In the immediate aftermath of the storm, LID 15 completed emergency tree removals that threatened homes and property. However, hundreds of damaged trees still need to be removed from the bayous and creeks around Riverstone.
Prior to Hurricane Beryl the LID 15 recovery plan relied on assistance from the City of Sugar Land and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After the storm it was determined that the LID 15 Interlocal Agreement with the City no longer met FEMA reimbursement requirements, so another emergency funding source was needed. LID 15 identified the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Grant opportunity and applied immediately. NRCS completed the LID 15 Preliminary Damage Assessment on September 25, 2024, but final grant approval remains on hold until environmental and cultural resource assessments are completed.
When approved, the USDA grant will reimburse 75% of eligible costs related to Hurricane Beryl recovery. The cost of all storm debris removal may exceed two hundred thousand dollars, so LID 15 is working closely with federal agencies to minimize the ultimate cost to taxpayers. Unfortunately, for any costs to be eligible for reimbursement the work cannot begin until the grant is awarded. LID 15 will update residents as soon as the USDA grant is approved, and a recovery schedule is finalized.
