Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

As MUD 500 previously reported to the Participants, in early July 2017, MUD 500’s wildlife management contractor caught and removed a 5’ 10” male alligator in the southern portion of MUD 500’s lakes. In early October, MUD 500 received a report of a sighting of an additional approximately 3’ alligator near the outfall structure in the southeast portion of MUD 500’s lakes. As reported to the Participants at the time, MUD 500 obtained the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and instructed its contractor to attempt to locate and, if located, to remove the alligator. Despite repeated attempts, the contractor did not locate an alligator, and the nuisance permit expired. As directed by MUD 500, the contractor has continued weekly monitoring of the lakes to search for any evidence of additional alligators and to take steps to remove them if any are found.

On November 16, 2017, MUD 500 received a new report of a sighting of two or three approximately 2’ alligators in the southwestern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, south of Tuckerton Road and west of Greenhouse Road. MUD 500 immediately notified its contractor to attempt to locate the alligators and, if located, to remove the alligators upon obtaining the required nuisance permit.

MUD 500 additionally has been coordinating with the Towne Lake Community Association regarding the installation of signage notifying residents and visitors of wildlife that may be located within the lakes, including alligators. The Towne Lake Community Association has notified MUD 500 that they are working on a plan for the design and location of the signs, and that they plan to install the signs within 90 days.

MUD 500 continues to request that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 also encourages your district to share this information with your residents.

Garbage Collection on Tuesday, September 5th

Harris County MUD 501’s garbage and recycling provider, Residential Recycling and Refuse of Texas, has stated that because of continued recovery efforts after the Harvey event, there will be garbage collection only (no recycling collection) tomorrow, September 5th. Please place your household garbage at your normal collection location by 7 a.m. as usual.

Residential Recycling is continuing to prioritize household garbage collection, but if time and equipment allow, they may begin collecting some minor storm debris from the curb tomorrow. If you have questions about separating larger storm debris or about Harris County’s storm debris removal efforts, please visit: http://harrisrecovery.org/debris-removal/.

Update on Garbage Collection Services

Residential Recycling and Refuse of Texas, Harris County MUD 501’s garbage and recycling provider, experienced significant flooding at their facility during the Harvey storm event. In order to ensure it is safe for them to resume garbage collection services, they are having mechanics inspect all of their equipment today. Residential Recycling has stated they will use their best efforts to collect garbage only (not recycling) in the District tomorrow, Friday, September 1st. Please be advised that once they resume services, they will prioritize collection of household trash in the District first, and then will begin to collect storm debris as possible.

The District will post an additional update on its website later today when we receive confirmation regarding whether garbage collection services in the District will resume tomorrow. Please continue to monitor the District’s website for additional information.

Tropical Storm Harvey

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Harris County and the surrounding counties in the Houston metropolitan area, as tropical storm Harvey continues to strengthen and approach the Texas coast. Over the next several days and throughout the weekend, the Houston metropolitan area is expected to receive significant amounts of rainfall, which may result in widespread flooding. There also is a risk of significant wind and other damage from the storm.

The District’s operator, Environmental Development Partners (EDP), is implementing its emergency preparedness procedures, as necessary, and will continue to monitor the progress of the storm and adjust its procedures accordingly. Please contact EDP at (832) 467-1599 at any time to report issues with District facilities.

Additional information and updates about the storm are available through the following:

The District encourages you to review your emergency preparedness plan and to continue to frequently monitor information about the storm as it develops.

Save the Date for Fall Community E-Waste and Shred Day

Please click here for the invitation to the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 501 Fall Electronic Waste Pickup and Document Shredding Day for District residents, hosted by Residential Recycling & Refuse of Texas. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Lake House Parking Lot, at 10000 Towne Lake Parkway, Cypress, Texas 77433.

All residents are welcome to attend. A copy of the invitation also will be included in an upcoming utility bill.

Wildlife Management in Harris County MUD 500 Lakes

In recent months, MUD 500 received reports of beavers and Egyptian geese in its lakes and contracted with a wildlife pest professional to remove them. In April 2017, MUD 500 received a report that an alligator was sighted in Towne Lake. MUD 500 obtained a nuisance control permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (required by State law to remove an alligator) and requested that its contractor search for and remove any alligator that might be present in its lakes.

Early last week, MUD 500’s contractor caught and removed a 5’ 10” male alligator in the southern portion of MUD 500’s lakes. The contractor believes that the alligator likely entered the lakes during a large rain event when Cypress Creek overflowed into the lakes. The contractor does not believe there are any additional alligators in the lakes, but the Houston area is a natural habitat for various wildlife, including alligators. MUD 500’s contractor will continue to monitor the lakes for any evidence of additional alligators and take steps to remove them if any are found.

MUD 500 requests that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Roberts
President, MUD 500

Please click here for the complete communication from Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 500.

Holiday Trash Service

Due to the Fourth of July holiday Tuesday, trash collection will be Friday and recycling collection a week later.

Save the Date for Community E-Waste and Shred Day

Please click here for the invitation to the Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 501 Electronic Waste Pickup and Document Shredding Day for District residents, hosted by Residential Recycling & Refuse of Texas. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Lake House Parking Lot, at 10000 Towne Lake Parkway, Cypress, Texas 77433.

All residents are welcome to attend. A copy of the invitation also will be included in an upcoming utility bill.