DEDC approves payment toward Clear Creek–Dickinson Bayou watershed study

The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation on Thursday voted to approve payment from this fiscal year’s budget to cover the city’s prorated portion of a regional Clear Creek–Dickinson Bayou watershed study.

The board approved making an immediate payment described in the motion as $79,000 to the study. Meeting remarks and documents presented to the board also referred repeatedly to a prorated share of about $79,597; the transcript contains inconsistent references to the exact dollar amount (see clarifying details). John Baumgartner, who presented the item, said Dickinson’s share was apportioned on an acreage basis and that the full preliminary study cost is roughly $3 million, with follow-on environmental work estimated at about $2 million if viable projects are identified.

Baumgartner said the study process dates to post-Hurricane Harvey work and earlier phase‑1 work completed in 2019. “We submitted money through Warda Watershed Watershed Resources Development Act…we asked for $3,000,000. At that time, it was approved in ’22, but no funds have ever been appropriated for that second phase study,” Baumgartner said. He told the board the total cost of the preliminary and environmental work is roughly $4.9 million and that League City, Friendswood, Harris County Flood Control and Galveston County have begun prefunding the effort.

Board members discussed payment timing. Baumgartner said the board’s preference would be a single payment but that two payments over a couple of years could be accommodated. He also said the consultant team (Friess Nichols) is under agreement to perform the work and that the group expects to begin in November, with the complete study taking about two to three years and continued coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if federal participation is sought.

The motion to fund Dickinson’s share of the phase‑2 study was moved on the floor and seconded by Matt Sabatier; the board voted in favor by voice and the motion passed. The meeting record does not include a roll‑call tally of individual yes/no votes.

The approved payment was described in the meeting as coming from the current fiscal year’s budget line for professional services and engineering. Baumgartner and board members said the payment would support development of project alternatives and a benefit‑cost analysis required to pursue state or federal funding.

The board’s action authorizes payment to the Clear Creek–Dickinson Bayou watershed study phase 2; it does not commit the board to any specific capital projects or future funding beyond the approved payment.

Sources and next steps: Baumgartner said the next steps include executing agreements that keep the U.S. Army Corps involved and beginning consultant work in November. The study team will develop project alternatives and, if viable projects emerge, seek environmental funding and federal partners.