Thursday, November 27, 2014

IKE DIKE VS RICE DIKE PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF TAMU IKE DIKE

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.


 


 

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