1 00:00:01,170 --> 00:00:02,378 [Peter Lake] Flooding has always been a 2 00:00:02,378 --> 00:00:04,000 constant threat in Texas. 3 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,620 It impacts people and property every year. 4 00:00:06,620 --> 00:00:08,560 But now the state is taking action. 5 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:11,130 For the first time ever, Texas is launching 6 00:00:11,130 --> 00:00:14,320 a statewide, comprehensive effort to fight flood 7 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,650 that integrates mapping, planning, and mitigation. 8 00:00:17,650 --> 00:00:20,790 The Texas Water Development Board is leading this effort, 9 00:00:20,790 --> 00:00:23,660 but we'll be relying on local leadership 10 00:00:23,660 --> 00:00:25,380 to ensure that it's successful. 11 00:00:25,380 --> 00:00:28,800 That's why we'll be asking folks with floodplain experience 12 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,210 to join the regional flood planning groups 13 00:00:31,210 --> 00:00:32,840 to help protect their communities 14 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:34,350 against the ravages of flood. 15 00:00:34,350 --> 00:00:38,210 We'll be accepting nominations between now and July 2 16 00:00:38,210 --> 00:00:40,600 for folks that have experience in floodplain management 17 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,950 and an interest in protecting their communities, 18 00:00:43,950 --> 00:00:45,980 their neighbors, their property, 19 00:00:45,980 --> 00:00:49,190 and their homes from the damage that flood can do. 20 00:00:49,190 --> 00:00:52,260 After repeated flooding events in recent years, 21 00:00:52,260 --> 00:00:53,720 the state launched 22 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,640 a comprehensive statewide approach to fighting flood, 23 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:57,950 and the Texas Water Development Board 24 00:00:57,950 --> 00:00:59,590 is leading that effort. 25 00:00:59,590 --> 00:01:02,620 The centerpiece of that effort is the state flood plan, 26 00:01:02,620 --> 00:01:04,730 the first of its kind ever. 27 00:01:04,730 --> 00:01:08,490 And that state flood plan will be made up of the ideas 28 00:01:08,490 --> 00:01:11,970 and input from these regional flood planning groups. 29 00:01:11,970 --> 00:01:13,610 These regional flood planning groups 30 00:01:13,610 --> 00:01:15,640 will be made up of at least 12 members 31 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,240 from a variety of interest groups-- 32 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:20,350 folks who have expertise and experience 33 00:01:20,350 --> 00:01:21,960 in floodplain management. 34 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:24,040 These interest groups represent everything 35 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:27,000 from small businesses to agricultural interests, 36 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:31,100 municipalities to industries, and everything in between. 37 00:01:31,100 --> 00:01:33,480 Each of the 15 regional flood planning groups 38 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,240 will be evaluating flood risks in their area 39 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,950 and then identifying ways to mitigate that risk. 40 00:01:39,950 --> 00:01:42,470 That could include anything from drainage systems, 41 00:01:42,470 --> 00:01:45,340 to levies, to detention basins, et cetera. 42 00:01:45,340 --> 00:01:48,060 Most importantly, the regional flood planning groups 43 00:01:48,060 --> 00:01:53,060 will be a venue for leaders across the broader area 44 00:01:53,070 --> 00:01:55,640 to sit down and share ideas 45 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,110 to make sure that everybody's working on the same page. 46 00:01:59,110 --> 00:02:00,530 When it comes to flood, 47 00:02:00,530 --> 00:02:03,060 what happens upstream impacts folks downstream 48 00:02:03,060 --> 00:02:04,670 and vice versa. 49 00:02:04,670 --> 00:02:06,980 Regional flood planning is important for Texas 50 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:09,120 because flooding impacts all Texans, 51 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:12,920 El Paso to East Texas, Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. 52 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:16,090 And there's no one-size-fits-all for Texas. 53 00:02:16,090 --> 00:02:18,180 Each part of Texas is unique, 54 00:02:18,180 --> 00:02:20,690 and that's why we're relying on local leadership 55 00:02:20,690 --> 00:02:25,000 to help identify the best ways to protect their communities 56 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,450 from the ravages of flood. 57 00:02:26,450 --> 00:02:27,600 Texans who are interested 58 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,560 in helping protect their communities from flood 59 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,910 by joining a regional flood planning group 60 00:02:31,910 --> 00:02:35,610 can go to our website at twdb.texas.gov 61 00:02:35,610 --> 00:02:37,160 to find the nomination form. 62 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,220 Yes, self-nominations are allowed, 63 00:02:40,220 --> 00:02:41,883 and the deadline is July 2.