On May 8, 2017 a unanimous East Ascension Drainage Commission authorized “an RFQ to go out for engineer services associated with a Flood Plain Management Program.” It was, in large part, a reaction to the disastrous flooding in August 2016 as Ascension’s elected/appointed officialdom had been unable to offer anything like a solution to drainage problems rendered more acute with every rain event. Seven years (and nearly $3 million) later, and an actual project is being undertaken pursuant to the Program.
A contract was issued (and renewed several times) to HNTB engineering, which has submitted a “Final Report” that proposes 30 projects with corresponding Benefits-Costs analysis ranked by numerical grade.
No. 26 on the list, a $5.5 million project located at “an ideal location for regional detention in the Henderson Bayou Drainage Basin.” HNTB envisioned “approximately 33 acres of detention along Marty Buratt Lateral” to accommodate the project, but the only acreage available for purchase is a 13-acre portion of an 18.5 acre parcel (see northernmost piece indicated in red above). The whole parcel was appraised at $1.2 million, the property unwilling to sell the entirety.
NOTE: The subject parcel is north of Causey Road, west of Hwy 44.
Numerous property owners have been contacted over the last 24 months according to Parish President/Drainage Director Clint Cointment, none of whom would sell for the appraised value. “We can’t go over the appraised value,” Cointment explained, though a nearby property owner has 30 acres for which the administration is currently negotiating.
“We believe there is significant benefit in regional detention on the 13-acre parcel,” he assured the Commission. “We are hoping to acquire all or parts of the second piece of property.”
When it comes to regional detention, bigger is better. When inadequate ditches fail to accommodate inundating rainfall, that overflow is detained in the area excavated for that purpose.
Regional detention has been on the wish list since Parish Council members/EA Drainage Commissioners (not the one that approved the Flood Plain Management Project in 2017, but the one after it) toured Harris County TX three years ago. They came away duly impressed by regional detention efforts in the Houston area. Easier said than done because property owners have been unwilling to sell acreage at appraised values.
President/Drainage Director Cointment opined that grant monies will very likely be available for the project.
For what it’s worth, HNTB’s project wish list (subject project circled) below:
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