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Wetlands and evacuation risks cited as key constraints for southern connectors
Summary
Speakers described federal wetlands, frequent flooding and narrow crossings on Miller Road; commissioners asked staff to integrate floodplain and emergency-services data into the thoroughfare plan and to develop city-specific evacuation routing.
Concerns about wetlands, flood risk and evacuation shaped much of the May 6 discussion of southern connector options. Terry Dobson told the commission much of the Miller Road corridor is federal wetland and part of the Lower Brazos River Wetland Mitigation Bank, and said the road floods repeatedly; "It's federal wetlands. It's 300 acres from about halfway down Miller Road to the end," he said to emphasize potential permitting and environmental constraints.
A commissioner asked staff whether the conceptual plan incorporated Fort Bend County floodplain and emergency-services routing data; Carraza said staff had discussed evacuation strategies with the county Emergency Operation Center and the fire chief, and that county strategy centers on moving people toward State Highway 6. Commissioners urged the city to create an independent evacuation survey and routes so the municipality is not solely dependent on outside agencies. Carraza also warned that the Western ETJ connector would require Army Corps of Engineers involvement because the Brazos River is navigable and could trigger EPA review because of wetlands.
