Mid-May 2021 News
From the
Grogan's Mill Village Association
Drought Conditions Emerging
Montgomery County
The southern Montgomery County area is in either an “Abnormally Dry” or Moderate Drought condition according to this week’s Texas Water Development Board newsletter Water Weekly. Exceptional drought conditions exist in West and South Texas.
Although there was significant precipitation during April, we are still behind the average by about 4 inches. It is advisable to continue to conserve water where possible.
The Groundwater in Montgomery County is being Depleted - Your Voice is Needed
Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) is responsible for regulating groundwater pumping in Montgomery County. Groundwater Management Area-14 has oversight of groundwater pumping for several GCDs in the southeast area of Texas. Every five years proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) are published for review and public comment prior to final adoption.
The members of GMA-14 agreed to consider proposed DFCs in the current planning cycle, which state:
In each county in GMA 14, no less than 70 percent median available drawdown remaining in 2080 and no more than an average of 1.0 additional foot of subsidence between 2009 and 2080.
LSGCD has announced that a ninety-day public comment period on the proposed DFCs ending on July 19, 2021. Individuals are invited to submit comments in writing to the following email address – info@lonestargcd.org with the subject line “DFC Comments.” LSGCD will also be holding a public hearing during the 90-day comment period. If you wish to speak in person, you will need to register for the hearing.
For further information and to sign up to receive emails from LSGCD, please go to the following website:
https://www.lonestargcd.org/
Subsidence in The Woodlands
Groundwater pumping can lead to compaction of clays in the aquifers from which water is pumped. In turn, the land surface will sink. This is happening here in The Woodlands. The graphic shows the surface elevation change at the P013 measurement site near Bear Branch Park on Research Forest Drive since 2000. Surface water made available in 2015 reduced subsidence, but it has started again. This issue will be discussed at the Woodlands Water Trustee meeting on Wednesday, May 12 at 6 PM.
The Stop Our Sinking group was formed recently by several concerned residents in the south Montgomery County area. The group’s goal is to inform the public about the potential for subsidence due to excessive groundwater withdrawal. Subsidence can increase the risk of flooding and potentially reactivate fault lines. The group believes that informed residents can be advocates for sustainable groundwater pumping without risking subsidence. Their website has information on how you can voice your opinion to the Lone Star district.
Disaster Assistance Through May 20th
Texas Congregational Disaster Readiness has funding for Winter Storm Repairs 2021 Montgomery County.
The registration deadline has been extended to MAY 20, 2021 for Winter Storm survivors to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY
GMVA Monthly Meeting on May 17
At the GMVA May 17 meeting, chairman Gordy Bunch will be our featured speaker. He will be followed by MUD Director a Bob Leilich speaking on subsidence. The Woodlands Fire Chief Buck will be speaking as well. We encourage you to join us! We have a new meeting format that is more focused on speakers and hopefully more user-friendly to our residents. If you would like to join us, please send a message to info@gmva.org requesting the zoom call-in information.
COVID Vaccine Sign Up
All adults, 16 and up, are now eligible for the COVID vaccine in Texas.
Providers, including St. Luke’s and Lone Star Family Health Center, are offering first and second doses at Woodforest Stadium every day this week. If you have questions, please call the Montgomery County COVID-19 Call Center at 936-523-3916. The call center is available Monday - Thursday from 8:00am - 4:30pm or Friday from 8:00 - 4:00pm.
Methodist Hospital is now offering walk-in vaccinations from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30, Monday- Friday. Or you can make an appointment at houstonmethodist.org/vaccine. They are giving the Pfizer vaccine.
Memorial Hermann has a link for anyone to register for the COVID vaccine: https://memorialhermann.org/services/conditions/coronavirus/texas-vaccine-hub. You do not need to be a Memorial Hermann patient to sign up with them.
St. Luke's also has a link for anyone to register for the COVID vaccine:
https://www.stlukeshealth.org/montgomerycountyvaccine. Click on the chat box that appears in the lower right of the page, wait until you see "schedule vaccine," click on it and follow the instructions.
HEB: call 800-811-8620
CVS: call 800-746-7287
Walmart: walmart.com/COVIDvaccine
Randy Brannen to Step Down
Randy Brannen will be resigning from the Grogan's Mill Village Association Board as an Area Representative. We will miss him and his cheerful smile. We thank Randy for his service to our community.
An area representative must be voted in by the Board, therefore an election will be on this month's meeting agenda.
Educational Workshops
The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department offers two upcoming educational workshops with accompanying volunteer opportunities. Watershed Project: The Pet Waste Problem will be held on May 15, 2021 at 8 a.m. at Sawmill Park, 2200 Millpark Drive. Watershed Project: Aquatic Invasive Plants will be held on June 5, 2021 from 9 to 11 a.m. via online format.
Watershed Project: The Pet Waste Problem – May 15, 2021 | 8 a.m. | Sawmill Park
Workshop*: Pollutants, such as litter, pet waste and organic materials, degrade the water quality as they are carried through the storm drains and into waterways. High bacteria levels in waterways can also lead to health risks. Attend this workshop to better understand the sources and solutions. Registration is required.
Volunteer Opportunity*: Work with MUD 6 to install storm drain inlet markers to increase awareness of waterway pollutants and to remind resident not to dump anything in the drain. Environmental Services provides volunteer support by partnering with Woodlands Water Agency, The Woodlands GREEN, area student groups, scout groups and residents of the Township.
*Masks will be required when recommended distancing cannot be maintained. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.
Watershed Project: Aquatic Invasives Plants – June 5, 2021 | 9 to 11 a.m. | Online
Workshop: When non-native invasive plants choke our waterways, they degrade the habitat and reduce the diversity of native fish, turtles and other organisms. Find out how to identify invasives in our waterways and how to report your observations into the Texas Invasive Species Institute database. Partners for this event include Texas Invasive Species Institute at Sam Houston State University, Woodlands Water Agency, The Woodlands GREEN and H-E-B. Registration is required.
Volunteer Opportunity: Attendees will be notified of workdays as they are scheduled.
For more upcoming events presented by Environmental Services, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment or email questions to enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
Don't Fall Prey to Identity Theft
Law enforcement recently shared that cases of identity theft are on the rise in the local community. Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and other information to impersonate them or use this information without their permission. The Township encourages you to be vigilant in protecting your personal information. Please contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch to learn more about how to safeguard your information. READ MORE
The Woodlands Farmer's Market
The Woodlands Farmer's Market is the perfect place to pick up fresh produce, fresh foods and a unique gift for you or a special person in your life. We recently gave flowers away to moms that came to the market the day before Mother's Day.
Vendors are listed every Friday in the weekly TWFM newsletter so you can plan your Saturday shopping. If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up here.
The Woodlands Farmer's Market recently updated their mask policy to fit with the new CDC guidelines for mask-wearing outdoors. Facial coverings are now optional. Please refer to this link for more information.
The Woodlands Farmers Market is held every Saturday (exception: the Saturday after Christmas) rain or shine, at the Grogan’s Mill Village Center.
The Woodlands Farmers Market was established in 2008 and has over 50 vendors. All profits from The Woodlands Farmers Market support the Grogan’s Mill Village Association’s philanthropic activities (scholarships, school grants, donations to Interfaith, etc.).
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Grogan's Mill Village AssociationP.O. Box 7522The Woodlands, Tx 77387