FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Re: Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District Hosts Public
Information Session on October 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., Harris County Commissioners
Court
CONTACT: Robert Eckels President, Gulf Coast Community Protection and
Recovery District, Inc. Email: Info@gccprd.com
HOUSTON (October 10, 2014) – The Gulf Coast Community Protection and
Recovery District (GCCPRD) held a public information session on Thursday,
October 9, 2014 hosted by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and GCCPRD President
Robert Eckels. The session provided details about the GCCPRD Storm Surge
Suppression Study.
Following three major hurricanes, the last of which (Hurricane Ike) was the
most expensive in Texas’ history, Governor Perry issued an Executive Order
creating the Governor’s Commission for Disaster Recovery and Renewal. One of the
Commission’s recommendations was to conduct a study to determine how coastal
communities can reduce the damage of future storms. In conjunction with that
recommendation, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange
Counties formed the GCCPRD as a local government corporation. The GCCPRD is
leading the Storm Surge Suppression Study, a technical, scientific-based study
funded to investigate opportunities to alleviate the vulnerability of the upper
Texas coast to storm surge and flooding from events like Hurricane Ike. The
study is funded by the Texas General Land Office through a $3.9 million federal
Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant that was
awarded in September 2013. Since then, the GCCPRD has been collecting data as
well as analyzing existing studies and reports. This study is an opportunity for
the GCCPRD to assume a leadership role and work collaboratively with federal,
state, local, and public and private institutions to develop a comprehensive
coastal protection plan that meets the needs of the region and the nation.
The Storm Surge Suppression Study will yield a variety of storm surge
suppression alternatives that may consist of natural, structural, and
nonstructural methods. Using these findings, the GCCPRD will recommend a
cost-effective and efficient system of flood damage reduction and storm surge
suppression measures to help protect the six-county region. It is anticipated
that this study will conclude in fall 2016. Public feedback and participation is
encouraged throughout the life of the study. Public scoping meetings will be
held in winter 2014 and at key milestones in the study. Future large-scale
public scoping meetings will be noticed in advance in local newspapers. For more
information or to join the mailing list visit: http://www.gccprd.com/
About the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District (GCCPRD):
The GCCPRD is a local government corporation governed by a Board of Directors
comprised of the County Judge of each participating county and three additional
appointed members serving three-year terms. Former Harris County Judge Robert
Eckels was appointed by the Board to serve as President of the District. # #
#
CONTACT:
Robert Eckels
President, Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District,
Inc.
Email: Info@gccprd.com
IKE DIKE VS RICE DIKE INPUT SOUGHT FROM PUBLIC
Gulf Coast residents asked for ideas on surge suppression
December 3, 2014 chron.com
By Robert Stanton
The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District will host a
series of public meetings in December to gain public feedback on protection from
hurricanes as part of the state's Storm Surge Suppression Study, created by Gov.
Rick Perry.
The first public meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m, Dec. 4 at League
City Civic Center, 400 W. Walker St. in League City.
Others meetings will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 9 at J.D. Walker
Community Center,
7613 Wade Road in Baytown;
and from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1001 Pearl
St. in Beaumont.
Comments will be accepted at the public meetings and throughout the
duration of the study.
Written comments may be mailed to the Gulf Coast Community Protection and
Recovery District in care of Col. Christopher Salles at 3100 West Alabama St.,
Houston, Texas 77098 or emailed to info@gccprd.com.
"There are a number of different studies that are under way or in progress,
and, they all offer part of the solution, but the efforts have not been
coordinated and there are still gaps between the Work of the various studies,"
said district president Robert Eckels.
Two major ideas have emerged to prepare and protect the Houston-Galveston
region from severe storms and hurricanes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in
2008.
No funding has been secured as of yet
Storms from page 1
Rice University's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from
Disasters Center has proposed a Centennial Gate to provide storm-surge
protection to the Houston Ship Channel.
The Centennial Gate near the Fred Hartman Bridge would protect industries
along the Houston Ship Channel.
The Ike Dike proposed by Texas A&M University involves a coastal spine
concept that would combine barriers and gates to keep storm surge out of
internal waters.
Seabrook Mayor Glenn Royal said he supports the coastal storm surge
suppression system plan, also known as the coastal spine - a 15- to 17- foot
barrier that would stretch from High Island on Bolivar Peninsula to the San Luis
Pass on Galveston's West End.
"We have to be ready and have a plan in place when we go ask for funding,
which is estimated to be about $6 billion," Royal said. "We have to show that
we're together, in unison, and have public buy-in." To date, no funding for
post-Ike hurricane protection plans has been secured, which is why the upcoming
public meetings are so important, Eckels said. Questions: 713-868-1043
chron.com
Greetings Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District in care of
Col. Christopher Salles, the Honorable Col. Salles Sir, Honorable GCCPRD
President Judge Robert Eckels, Family, Friends, and Neighbors of the surrounding
Galveston Bay complex.
I wish to kindly submit the following to Gulf Coast Community Protection
and Recovery District in care of Col. Christopher Salles, the Honorable Col.
Salles Sir, Honorable GCCPRD President Judge Robert Eckels, about said Hurricane
protection proposals.
>>> Two major ideas have emerged to prepare and protect the
Houston-Galveston region from severe storms and hurricanes in the aftermath of
Hurricane Ike in 2008. <<<
THE BIG DIFFERENCE between the two proposals, the RICE SPPEED dike will NOT
protect a great portion of Galveston County, and by the RICE SPPEED dike
proposal own words ;
“Furthermore, this proposal leaves waterfront properties and communities
east of SH- 146 vulnerable; however, it maintains the possibility of waterfront
recreation and other environmental and natural coastal features.”
ALL the Rice SPPEED dike will do, is protect Houston and the Houston Ship
channel and all it’s petro-chemical complex, by damming up the North end of
Galveston bay and adding a 25 foot seawall down the west side of SH 146 from
Baytown to Texas City, making a wasteland and next a recreational park for the
rich to come play in, at the expense to tax payers. my biggest concern is the
petro-chemical giants getting their way, with the rice SSPEED dike, at the tax
payers expense, and that will be signing a death sentence for all of us when the
next big one comes up the ship channel. you can’t dam us out, east of SH 146,
and just draw a pretty picture replacing us, as the rice dike proposes, and what
we all know would happen if you dam up the North end of Galveston bay, and
building a 25 feet wall west of SH 146 on the old train tracks. it will be doom
for La Porte, Seabrook, Kemah, Bayview, Bacliff, San Leon, up to Texas City,
Texas. the Rice Dike is absolutely the wrong way to go. Vote for the Ike Dike
T.A.M.U. ! if the petro chemical giants want a wall only to protect them, let
them build it by themselves, not on the tax payers backs, and again, at the same
time knowing what your signing is your own death certificate. you may as well
write your Social Security number on your arms now if the Rice SSPEED Dike goes
through. it could be grounds for litigations in courts for decades to come,
deliberate loss of property and life, with intent. they knew would it would do
from day one, because they drew a damn map drawing all of us out, and replacing
us with ‘’waterfront recreation and other environmental and natural coastal
features’’.
I am asking for the people of the surrounding Galveston Bay areas to please
support the TAMU IKE DIKE, so we can all be protected, not just Houston, and the
petro-chemical complex up the Houston Ship Channel.
please see my reference materials and evidence against the Rice SPPEED dike
proposal as reference materials below...
REFERENCE MATERIALS
RICE SPPEED DIKE ALREADY HAS BIG PLANS FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY EAST OF SH
146 FROM BAYTOWN TO TEXAS CITY, TEXAS.
vote for the IKE dike, if we even will get a vote, and make sure to make
the petro-chemical companies pay for their fair share of the protection from the
_Ike_ dike proposal by TAMU.
if the Rice SSPEED dike is approved, the federal government should be
forced to buy us all out, at top dollar. ...
see 25 foot damn along SH 146 ;
see how high the tide still was, two days after IKE, looking right into our
garage and garage apartment, look how high the tide still is, WITHOUT THE RICE
SPPEED DAM...dike.
can you imagine what that would look like with the north end of galveston
bay dammed up, and a 25 ft. damn from La Porte to Texas City Texas ?
here was the tide the day before Ike from our pier, and please notice what
the water level was then, compared to 2 days after Ike. (takes a minute to load,
and 28 seconds into video, see water level)
see officials from surrounding Galveston Bayshore communities I have spoken
with, and how they feel about the Rice SSPEED dike, VS the IKE dike by TAMU
;
Kemah Mayor
From: Bob Cummins Sent:
Monday, November 18, 2013 1:51 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. Cc: Rick Beverlin
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Mr. Singeltary, The City has Dr. Merrill speak on several occasions to help
educate our citizens. We have sent letters to the state and federal bodies to
show our support for the much needed Ike Dike. Dr. Merrell has spoken to every
group in the Bay area and has done a great job to help all of us. If you know of
anyway we can be of greater support of this cause please let me know.
Respectfully, Mayor Bob Cummins City of Kemah
========================
Seabrook Mayor
From: Glenn Royal
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 4:56 PM
To: 'Terry S. Singeltary Sr.'
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Dear Terry,
Rice University has not bothered to ask the opinion of Seabrook about the
Centennial Gate. Had they asked, our reaction is similar to LaPorte. Prior to
receiving your email, council has discussed our own resolution in opposition to
this plan.
Recent discussions that I have had with area groups about the Centennial
Gate give me hope that it is not going to be implemented given its relative cost
versus storm surge protection. The Ike Dike gives us the greatest cost/benefit
value.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing these articles with me. Please
continue you to do so.
Best regards,
Glenn Royal
Mayor
City of Seabrook
========================
La Porte City Council At Large “A” councilman
From: John Zemanek
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 1:58 PM
To: 'Terry S. Singeltary Sr.'
Subject: RE: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE
DIKE
Terry,
City passed resolution opposing the Rice Dike. If you hear anything down
the road, please let us know. We are keeping our eyes & ears open as well.
FYI, I am the At Large “A” councilman.
Regards,
John Zemanek
Zemanek Marine Services, Inc.
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 12:28 PM
Cc: atlargea@laportetx.gov; atlargeb@laportetx.gov;
district1@laportetx.gov; cengelken@att.net; district3@laportetx.gov;
district4@laportetx.gov; district5@laportetx.gov; district6@laportetx.gov
Subject: Is your community just collateral damage? RICE DIKE VS IKE DIKE
Say there Honorable Mayor Louis Rigby, and Council Members et al in the
great city of LaPorte, Texas.
snip...end...tss
==============================
RICE UNIVERSITY IKE DIKE hwy-146-levee proposal, THAT WOULD WASH AWAY
SEABROOK, KEMAH, BAYVIEW, BACLIFF, AND SAN LEON
NOVEMBER 2011
Preliminary research results indicate that the most feasible structure will
be a levee along SH-146 accompanied by pocket levees, built by private
landowners. The levee would connect natural 25 foot elevations near the Houston
Ship Channel and the Texas City Dike effectively protecting the properties and
critical facilities and infrastructure west of SH-146. However, moveable
barriers would need to be placed at Clear Lake and highway underpasses.
*** Furthermore, this proposal leaves waterfront properties and communities
east of SH- 146 vulnerable; however, it maintains the possibility of waterfront
recreation and other environmental and natural coastal features.
HERE is a IKE DIKE proposal that would help SAVE AND PROTECT SHOREACRES,
SEABROOK, KEMAH, BAYVIEW, BACLIFF, AND SAN LEON.
THIS Ike Dike proposal by TAMU does NOT abandon all of us that have lived
here all our lives, and this proposal does not sell out to developers ;
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:30 PM
To: William Merrell
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: Re: Ike Dike question ? fantastic! thank you for your kind reply
Sir, and explanation for the layperson such as me. many thanks, I like your
proposal much, much, better Sir, considering my backyard is Galveston Bay here
in Bacliff, 77518 shoreline. with that rice university plan, the shorelines from
Kemah to San Leon and property values there from would tank and the next big
one, we would all be marsh land. course, it would not matter much anyway,
because that big toxic dredge island I have to look at everyday now, you know
the one they propose to double in size now, well all that would be in our
houses. ...what were they thinking. ...thanks again. with kindest regards, terry
=====================
From: William Merrell
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:08 PM
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: RE: Ike Dike question ?
Again - the Dike you describe is proposed by Rice University. It has
nothing whatsoever to do with the Ike Dike. The Ike Dike protects everyone in
the Bay because it is along the coast. You can verify this and learn the details
of the Ike Dike by going to our website
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:00 PM
To: William Merrell
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: Re: Ike Dike question ?
Greetings again Dr. Merrell,
Sir, I had a question.
I did not have any ideas, other than the fact, I am concerned and confused
on one of rumored proposals of Ike Dike, and we wanted to know the truth, and I
was told, you were the person to go to, and my question was as follows ;
i heard that one of the potential designs for the ike dike, would have
everyone living south of the Kemah bridge on hwy 146, and everyone east of hwy
146 there from, i.e. Kemah, Bayview, Bacliff, and San Leon, all these fishing
communities would be EAST OF SAID IKE DIKE, as the said IKE DIKE would be built
west of hwy 146, thus leaving everyone east of 146 to be left for marsh land, as
any hurricane after said IKE DIKE built would leave these fishing communities as
marsh lands due to any IKE DIKE built west of hwy 146, is any of this
true?
is there any proposal on the table to eliminate the Kemah, Bayview,
Bacliff, and San Leon shore lines from the Ike Dike?
is the scenario of said rumor, I proposed above, is this one of the
proposals?
as home owners, property owners, and business owners, we are concerned, and
we have a right to know if this is a proposal or not?
a simple yes or no answer will do. ...
thank you,
kind regards,
terry
=====================
From: William Merrell
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 4:38 PM To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Cc: Cherie Coffman
Subject: RE: Ike Dike question ?
The 146 dike is proposed by the SSPEED Center at Rice. I agree with your
ideas on it. The Ike Dike is a coastal spine which would protect everyone.
Details on website http://www.tamug.edu/ikedike/
Best regards, Bill
William Merrell George P Mitchell Chair Texas A&M University at
Galveston Po Box 1675 Galveston, Texas 77553-1675 409-740-4732 work 409-740-4787
fax 409-771-2225 cell
=====================
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:50 PM
To: William Merrell
Subject: Ike Dike question ?
Greetings Dr. Merrell,
I am a bit concerned and confused, and hoping you might be able to help
straighten out any confusion on the IKE DIKE.
i heard that one of the potential designs for the ike dike, would have
everyone living south of the Kemah bridge on hwy 146, and everyone east of hwy
146 there from, i.e. Kemah, Bayview, Bacliff, and San Leon, all these fishing
communities would be EAST OF SAID IKE DIKE, as the said IKE DIKE would be built
west of hwy 146, thus leaving everyone east of 146 to be left for marsh land, as
any hurricane after said IKE DIKE built would leave these fishing communities as
marsh lands due to any IKE DIKE built west of hwy 146.
is any of this true ?
can you please show me where all the said potential designs and drawings
might be for the public to view on any said IKE DIKE ?
thank you,
kindest regards, terry
===================
END...TSS
Dr. Merrell, a marine scientist from Texas A&M, will be talking about
his proposal December 11, 2012 at 7 P.M. to explain his proposal, at a Town Hall
Meeting in San Leon, Texas, at the San Leon Fire Station. ...
=====================================
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Ike Dike Scientist Professor William Merrell sees NO chance of compromise !
BRAVO!!! Legislators want quick action on Ike Dike
Friday, December 6, 2013
IKE DIKE TAMU VS Rice SSPEED Dike Centennial gate from Hell
Sunday, December 9, 2012
*** RICE DIKE PROPOSAL COULD DESTROY GALVESTON BAY BAYSHORE
COMMUNITIES
Thank You...
Respectfully,
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
