October 12, 2001 - RE: Right of Entry Document

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Division of Emergency Management of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DEM), and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD/the District) have begun an in-depth study of Tropical Storm Allison rainfall and its impact on Harris County. The results of the study will be used to aid HCFCD in planning and implementing the long-term recovery from Tropical Storm Allison, and it will also be beneficial for local floodplain administrators.

As a part of this study effort teams of professional consultants working directly for HCFCD and FEMA will collect field data. To provide adequate public notification and minimize potential conflicts, HCFCD and FEMA have jointly issued this letter to be carried by all team members working on this project.

The project teams will be working throughout Harris County along the rights-of-way for all major streams and channels as well as the rights-of-way for some public roads in the county and City of Houston. We have instructed the team members to confine their operations to these rights-of-way; however, they may need to cross private property to access some of these areas.

HCFCD and FEMA would appreciate cooperation from landowners adjacent to the work areas where access is required to collect adequate field data for this study effort. Your understanding and patience during this work effort will be greatly appreciated.

We are hopeful that this effort will not cause any burden or inconvenience to any individual citizen or group. We are confident that the successful completion of this project will be a significant benefit not only to the recovery effort from Tropical Storm Allison, but will have a long-term positive impact on lessening damages from flooding events that may occur in Harris County.

Should you have any questions regarding the data collection activities or this study in general, please call the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Office at 281-579-4656 after October 15, 2001.

Thank you again for your patience and cooperation.