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[Peter Lake] Flooding has always been a

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constant threat in Texas.

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It impacts people and property every year.

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But now the state is taking action.

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For the first time
ever, Texas is launching

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a statewide, comprehensive
effort to fight flood

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that integrates mapping,
planning, and mitigation.

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The Texas Water Development
Board is leading this effort,

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but we'll be relying on local leadership

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to ensure that it's successful.

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That's why we'll be asking
folks with floodplain experience

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to join the regional flood planning groups

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to help protect their communities

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against the ravages of flood.

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We'll be accepting nominations
between now and July 2

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for folks that have experience
in floodplain management

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and an interest in
protecting their communities,

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their neighbors, their property,

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and their homes from the
damage that flood can do.

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After repeated flooding
events in recent years,

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the state launched

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a comprehensive statewide
approach to fighting flood,

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and the Texas Water Development Board

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is leading that effort.

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The centerpiece of that effort
is the state flood plan,

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the first of its kind ever.

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And that state flood plan
will be made up of the ideas

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and input from these regional
flood planning groups.

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These regional flood planning groups

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will be made up of at least 12 members

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from a variety of interest groups--

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folks who have expertise and experience

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in floodplain management.

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These interest groups represent everything

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from small businesses to
agricultural interests,

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municipalities to industries,
and everything in between.

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Each of the 15 regional
flood planning groups

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will be evaluating flood
risks in their area

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and then identifying ways
to mitigate that risk.

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That could include anything
from drainage systems,

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to levies, to detention basins, et cetera.

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Most importantly, the
regional flood planning groups

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will be a venue for leaders
across the broader area

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to sit down and share ideas

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to make sure that everybody's
working on the same page.

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When it comes to flood,

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what happens upstream
impacts folks downstream

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and vice versa.

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Regional flood planning
is important for Texas

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because flooding impacts all Texans,

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El Paso to East Texas,
Panhandle to the Gulf Coast.

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And there's no
one-size-fits-all for Texas.

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Each part of Texas is unique,

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and that's why we're
relying on local leadership

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to help identify the best ways
to protect their communities

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from the ravages of flood.

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Texans who are interested

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in helping protect their
communities from flood

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by joining a regional flood planning group

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can go to our website at twdb.texas.gov

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to find the nomination form.

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Yes, self-nominations are allowed,

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and the deadline is July 2.