IS FORT BEND SINKING?

Subsidence is an issue on the Gulf Coast.

Land subsidence is sinking of the land surface. The elevation of the land surface is lowered by compressing the many layers of clay beneath the land surface. In the greater Houston area, land subsidence is caused by the withdrawal of groundwater. When we pump large amounts of groundwater from the aquifers beneath us, we pull water out of the many layers of clay, which allows the clay to compact under the weight of everything above them.

A subdivsion in Baytown has been turned into a park because it sunk and is now underwater.

The Fort Bend Subsidence District was created by the Texas Legislature in 1988 with the intent to study and prevent subsidence in Fort Bend. I was at the Rose/Rich Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Meeting on Wednesday morning when I saw a presentation from the Subsidence District.

The County is split into three areas.



Precinct 1 covers everything south and west of the Brazos. It also includes Sienna Plantation from the Brazos north to McKeever Road, Teal Run, Fresno and Arcola.

The next slide shows that most of the pumping of groundwater is in Area A. The Richmond/Rosenberg Subarea and Area B have remained fairly constant over the years.



The current plan is for Area A to reduce its groundwater usage 30% by 2013 (2015 for the Rich/Rose subarea) and 60% by 2025. Area B is exempt from conversion. As the Commissioner of the largest rural precinct in Fort Bend, I will represent the interest of the farmers and ranchers to make sure that Area B remains exempt.

PROGRESS FOR KENDLETON

Road and Bridge crews have been working on the extension of Wicks Road near Kendleton. County employees are shown adding material to extend this road which will connect Hilltop Road to FM 2219 just north of Kendleton's city limits. The completion of this project will provide the residents on Hilltop a safer alternative to access U.S. 59.

This is only a start. Kendleton is in the far western portion of Fort Bend County. It is one of several places in the County that have missed out on the past two decades of Fort Bend's growth. Its new Mayor, Darryl Humphrey, Sr. has a great vision for Kendleton. And since I believe that you are only as strong as your weakest link, I'm gonna do all I can to help him achieve it.

GOOD TIMES

Some pics of a successful quail hunt on the Walton Ranch. I would like to thank Sammy Pyle for inviting me and the folks at Walton Ranch for hosting. I had a great time. It is always fun to watch good dogs work.




Fried quail, biscuits, rice and white gravy is one of the best meals ever.