Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series #5: The Regional Flood Planning Process and Why Conserving Floodplains are Important
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is pleased to introduce our 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series. Mark your calendars for 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Water Wonks will feature a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water. The series is a free community education opportunity.
Lecture #5: The Regional Flood Planning Process and Why Conserving Floodplains are Important
Speaker: Annalisa Peace (GEAA Executive Director) and Debbie Reid (GEAA Technical Director) with a video by David Skuodas (Director of Design, Construction, and Maintenance at the Mile High Flood District) that was presented to the San Antonio River Regional Flood Plan Group
Bios:
Bio’s for Ms. Peace and Ms Reid are available here.
David Skuodas is an Urban Stream Advocate, Engineer, Storyteller and AEC (Architectural Engineers Collaborative) Professional. He has extensive work experience in the field of engineering and environmental science. In 2010, David joined Mile High Flood District as a Project Manager, overseeing the design, construction, and maintenance of projects and later took on the role of Watershed Manager. Currently, David serves as the Design, Construction, and Maintenance Director at Mile High Flood District- Located in the Denver area.
Synopsis: Ms. Peace and Ms. Reid will explain the Texas Water Development Board’s regional flood planning process, which will allocate state funds for flood mitigation strategies and provides opportunities to employ green infrastructure and land conservation strategies. The video by Mr. Skuodas presents his analysis of why governments are often playing catch-up to pay for maintenance of stormwater channels, basins, and other structures. In many cases, it would take hundreds or thousands of years for a city to collect enough taxes to pay to adequately maintain drainage infrastructure from new development. Mr. Skuodas advocates for working with the existing natural stream channels, maintaining flood resiliency and water quality, protecting public safety, and saving taxpayers money.
