Can anyone tell me how much in taxes are being collected by those 71,000 acres, and how much our property taxes will go up to cover the lost income at the city, school district, and county levels?
What about the proximity of the new landfill and how that will affect the lake? Will College Station have to scrap that site and move? What are the environmental impacts if the landfill stays?
I was at the Conroe meeting, and the Board seems to have no idea of what they are doing.
As for lake front property, there is no telling how this lake will be managed (the Board couldn't tell us anything about it - they said that's not their decision). It could be managed like Lake Somerville, with no lake front property and limited access to the public, or it could be open development like Lake Conroe.
There is unique habitat and several endangered species in the area. Habitat reclamation will NOT work because some of these endangered species rely upon the river flow. The Sierra Club is aware of this project and was represented at the meeting in Conroe (openly against the projected dam).
The property owners do NOT get compensated for their current property value. The number we were told was $1,200 per acre. That means the new and expensive subdivisions and the million dollar homes that will be flooded will have to file bankruptcy and take losses. That will affect local banks and credit unions holding those mortgages.
This information is coming from the HOUSTON water board, and this water is ear-marked for Houston. How are they going to get it there? Pipe it for 100 miles?
Houston already has three lakes that are supposed to be their water supply: Lake Houston, Lake Conroe, and Lake Livingston. If those lakes aren't enough, why not?
We were told (with no numbers to back them up) that desalination was too costly and not an option, and they said they legally cannot claim water from free flowing rivers in their area.
Their population numbers are based upon growth from 2000 to 2006. These numbers include population transfer from Hurricane Rita and Katrina. These numbers also include illegal immigration. For population to grow, you must have approximately 2.1 children per family. Current U.S. citizens reproduce at a much lower rate (I don't remember the figure, but I believe it to be around the 1.6 level). These inflated population projections are basically telling us we have to give up 71,000 acres in order to provide water to the addition population influx from illegal aliens (some projections are 72,000 acres to include habitat reclamation and flood plain protection).
This proposal was made over 50 years ago (and even passed in theory in the 80's but couldn't get funding to go forward). We were told it's the same proposal with updated numbers.
The Board cannot or will not clarify what water levels/elevation levels will be used.
These are just some of the comments and information floating around out there. I would very much like to see some serious investigative journalism take place and find out what's really going on.
I would like to see Texas A&M departments get involved to do impact statements, including how the local economy will be affected, wildlife impact, recreational uses, habitat reclamation, and develop other options to present to the Houston water board.
Currently Houston water district has no water conservation laws in effect, and yet the Board is recommending this huge lake 100 miles away to supply possible future water needs. This seems far fetched to me.
The bottom line is that someone (or some corporation) will be making a huge amount of money from this project. Perhaps that could be another A&M departmental study - find out where the money is coming from and where it will go (especially if it will be managed like Lake Somerville with no lake front property at all). When asked at the Conroe meeting who would be making the money off this project, the water board member with the microphone just smirked.
There is a group formed to fight this proposed dam called the Guardians of the Navasota. They have a facebook page, and are building a web site. They already have their paperwork for non-profit status and have officers in place.
I just want answers, and right now, no one is willing or able to provide them.
Thanks so much for the links provided in previous posts. Any additional information is greatly appreciated!
(edited to clarify)
[This message has been edited by Txagclan (edited 4/9/2010 10:57a).]