AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., joined Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman and other local leaders for a briefing and tour of flood mitigation project sites. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) allocated $68,382,016 for three erosion repair projects in Fort Bend County and the city of Sugar Land. The helicopter tour enabled Commissioner Buckingham and other leaders to see first-hand the improvements these safety mitigation projects will make in the region.

"Today marks a significant milestone in our efforts to safeguard Fort Bend County and its residents from future storms," said Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. "With more than $68 million allocated for crucial erosion repair projects, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and resilience of our communities. I am grateful to Judge KP George, Andy Meyers, and the other County Commissioners, Mayor Joe Zimmerman, the City Council, and all our local partners for their dedication and collaboration in this vital endeavor."

The projects will address erosion resistance and repair damage along the Brazos River at U.S. 59, which poses a threat to evacuation routes for residents of Galveston and Brazoria counties during extreme weather events. In total, nearly $130 million is allocated to projects in Fort Bend to mitigate and protect the region from future storms.

City of Sugar Land Evacuation Route and Erosion Repair - $4,063,600

In conjunction with Fort Bend County, the Evacuation Route project will repair riverbank erosion addressing areas upstream and downstream to ensure bridges are adequately protected. The Memorial Park Riverbank Erosion Repair project will stabilize the Brazos Riverbank. The project includes the following:

• Evacuation Route-US 59/IH 69 Bridge Riverbank Erosion Repair: Clearing, grubbing, excavation, stockpile, backfill, and offsite disposal, install stone, seeding, and conduct Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. 
• Memorial Park Riverbank Erosion Repair- Clearing, grubbing, excavation, stockpile, backfill, and offsite disposal, install stone, seeding, and conduct Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Fort Bend County Erosion Repair Project - $38,492,516

In conjunction with the City of Sugar Land, the Evacuation Route project will repair riverbank erosion addressing areas upstream and downstream to ensure bridges are adequately protected. The Memorial Park Riverbank Erosion Repair project will stabilize the Brazos Riverbank. The project includes the following:

• Evacuation Route-US 59/IH 69 Bridge Riverbank Erosion Repair: Clearing, grubbing, excavation, stockpile, backfill, and offsite disposal, install stone, seeding, and conduct Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. 
• Memorial Park Riverbank Erosion Repair- Clearing, grubbing, excavation, stockpile, backfill, and offsite disposal, install stone, seeding, and conduct Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Simonton Pinch Point Project - $25,825,900

In collaboration with Fort Bend County and the City of Simonton, H-GAC shall provide erosion protection on the banks of the Brazos River at two locations in Simon Texas. The project includes riverbank erosion repair by clearing, grubbing, excavation, stockpile, backfill and offsite disposal, install stone, and seeding.