Weather

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.

Hurricane Beryl caused extensive tree damage throughout Riverstone, including the LID 15 levees and drainage channels. LID 15 has removed the highest priority tree debris from homes and other structures. An additional round of tree removal will be scheduled in September to address trees on fences and other hazards. However, the majority of Beryl storm debris removal from LID 15 property has been delayed due to changes in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations. The City of Sugar Land and their debris removal contractor are not able to provide the services LID 15 needs, and the Interlocal Agreement no longer meets FEMA reimbursement requirements.

To address the significant amount of storm damage, LID 15 will start an emergency bidding process in September. The District must hire its own contractor to complete Hurricane Beryl storm debris removal. In order for LID 15 to remain eligible for 75% FEMA reimbursement, the formal bidding process will take several weeks to complete before a contract is awarded.

While LID 15 will remove all eligible storm debris, residents are reminded that any damage to private property caused by downed trees or limbs remains the responsibility of the property owner. Additional information on LID 15’s Tree Maintenance and Removal Policy is available on line through the District website: www.fblid15.com.