Community

Over the past year, the MUD 501 Board has received reports of increased security incidents and other security concerns throughout the Towne Lake community, including within MUD 501, and in the surrounding areas. The Towne Lake Community Association (Association) also was notified of those reports and responded last summer by approving an increase to their contract with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to provide two additional deputies for security patrol in the Towne Lake community.

In December 2022, in response to budgetary pressure from the additional security costs, the Association’s Board approached MUD 501 and MUD 502 to request that the Districts contribute to the cost of the two additional deputies. The MUD 501 Board agreed to fund the cost of one of the additional deputies for the current contract year, which runs from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. It is our understanding the MUD 502 Board agreed to fund the cost of the second additional deputy for the current contract year.

Under MUD 501’s agreement with the Association, the Association will continue to administer the contract with the Sheriff’s Office. The MUD 501 Board, however, will receive monthly reports from the Sheriff’s Office and will work with both the Sheriff’s Office and the Association to address any issues that may arise under the contract. The MUD 501 Board also has established a Security Committee to continue working with the Association and the other MUDs within the Towne Lake community to continue to ensure that all security issues are identified and addressed. Please rest assured that the MUD 501 Board takes security concerns in our community very seriously and is working diligently to ensure they are addressed.

On December 2, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of an unconfirmed sighting on December 1, 2021, of an approximately 4-5’ alligator under a boat dock on San Solomon Springs. MUD 500 immediately notified its wildlife management contractor of the sighting and directed the trapper to actively monitor for an alligator and, if one is located, to immediately remove it upon obtaining the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

MUD 500 continues to request 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. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

With the permission of and our sincere thanks to his parents, the MUD 501 Board is delighted to share with you our most satisfied garbage customer.  We wish you and your families a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for inland Harris County and a Tropical Storm Warning for coastal Harris County and many other surrounding counties in the Houston metropolitan area, as Tropical Storm Nicholas continues to strengthen and approach the Texas coast. Over the next several days, the Houston metropolitan area may receive significant amounts of rainfall which could result in localized flooding. There also is a risk of wind and other damage from the storm.

The District’s water 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:

• Harris County Joint Information Center
• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• Harris County Flood Control District Flood Warning System

The District encourages you to review your emergency preparedness plan and to continue to frequently monitor information about the storm as it develops.  The District will also be providing storm related updates as appropriate on its website and through email alerts.

On August 30, 2021, MUD 500 received a report that an alligator was sighted in the far northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, along Cypress North Houston Road near the intersection with Greenhouse Road. 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.

This morning, MUD 500’s contractor caught and removed a 4’ 6” female alligator in the same location. 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. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Following the extensive flooding experienced throughout Texas during Hurricane Harvey, in 2019 the Texas legislature created the first-ever regional and state flood planning process for Texas to try to help identify and mitigate flood risks for all Texans.  As part of this new process, the legislature tasked the Texas Water Development Board with creating regional flood planning regions based on river basins.  The regional flood planning group covering the Towne Lake community is called the Region 6 San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group (SJRFPG), and it covers all or part of 11 counties spanning from Walker County to the north all the way down to Galveston Bay and points south.  The SJRFPG and all other regional flood planning groups are required to deliver their initial regional flood plans to the Texas Water Development Board by January 10, 2023.  The Texas Water Development Board will then use all of the regional flood plans to establish the first ever State flood plan for Texas by September 1, 2024.

The SJRFPG’s main goals for its regional flood plan include identifying flood risks; establishing flood mitigation and floodplain management goals; and recommending evaluations, strategies, and projects to reduce flood risks throughout the entire region.  In order to assist with their flood plan development, SJRFPG is requesting help from the public in identifying flood-prone areas and providing general input on flood issues.  Please visit https://freese.mysocialpinpoint.com/san-jacinto-flood-plan/home_member_of_the_public/ to report areas that have experienced flooding or to provide general input on flood issues in our area.  The MUD 501 Board appreciate your assistance with this important process.

On August 30, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of a confirmed sighting of an approximately 4’-5’ alligator in the far northern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, along Cypress North Houston Road, near the intersection with Greenhouse Road. MUD 500 has obtained the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and instructed its trapper to locate and remove the alligator. The District respectfully requests that residents of and visitors to Towne Lake refrain from interfering with its wildlife management contractor and/or any of the contractor’s lines, traps, or other equipment left in or near its lakes.

MUD 500 continues to request 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. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

On April 12, 2021, MUD 500 received a report of a sighting on April 11, 2021, of an approximately 6’ alligator in the southwestern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, south of Tuckerton Road near the Greenhouse Road bridge. MUD 500 immediately notified its wildlife management contractor of the sighting and directed the trapper to actively monitor for an alligator and, if one is located, to immediately remove it upon obtaining the required nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

MUD 500 continues to request 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. Please visit MUD 500’s website, at http://www.hcmud500.org, for additional information.

Earlier this afternoon, a contractor working on the entrance to future Towne Lake, Section 60, located south of Tuckerton Road and southeast of E Hamilton Hills Drive, struck a four-inch natural gas line along E Hamilton Hills Drive.

The fire department is on the scene and monitoring air quality, but at this time expects the gas to dissipate due to the windy conditions. CenterPoint Energy also is on the scene and working to isolate and shut off the affected gas line.

Access to E Hamilton Hills Drive may be prohibited or limited throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening. Please avoid the area if possible.