The Forgotten Buffalo Bayou: A Civic and Civil Discussion about a Touchy Subject

Title: The Forgotten Buffalo Bayou: A Civic and Civil Discussion about a Touchy Subject
Location: Brown Auditorium Theater, The Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet
Link out: Click here
Description:

Could Houston be the next New Orleans? Today Houston is a rising star in the world economy. But what would its future look like if Buffalo Bayou flooded everything from the Addicks and Barker Dams to the Ship Channel?

Buffalo Bayou, the thread of life that is the heart of Houston, has been the center of much civic attention lately as improvements abound from Shepherd Drive through downtown Houston. But what is being done about the imminent risk of failure of Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, two of Houston’s most important flood protection areas?

Related to the potential failure of Addicks and Barker are increased releases during major rainfall events—increased releases that make flooding more likely in neighborhoods adjacent to the Bayou from above Beltway 8 through River Oaks. Further complicating the picture of Buffalo Bayou is the vulnerability of the Houston Ship Channel to hurricane surge flooding and to the potential of immense and dangerous spills.

Please join this event addressing issues that face the entire Houston community. Jim Blackburn, an environmental lawyer and co-director of the SSPEED Center (Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters) at Rice University leads off the evening with a 30-minute presentation outlining the factors that have converged to create this perfect storm on Buffalo Bayou. A discussion with city and county leaders follows.
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2012-10-02
End Time: 19:30