HOUSTON (June 24, 2019) Ed Emmett, Former Harris County Judge, provided grants to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the Bayou Preservation Association as his final act as the Fight Flooding PAC Chairman. The Fight Flooding PAC raised over $1.2 million and campaigned for the most successful Harris County Bond Proposition on record, garnering over 85% of votes in favor of a $2.5 billion flood control program.
“Since we raised this money to prevent flooding and make Harris County more resilient, it is appropriate to give the remaining funds to these two non-profit organizations that do so much to preserve our bayous for future generations,” said Emmett.
Each of the charities received over $64,000 from the PAC. Buffalo Bayou Partnership will use the funds to restore green spaces and other areas damaged in Hurricane Harvey.
“Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is so appreciative of the Fight Flooding PAC fund,” said Anne Olson, president of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. “We thank the PAC’s leadership and especially former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. These funds will help BBP continue its restoration efforts in Buffalo Bayou Park. Riparian planting along the water’s edge will be a priority in the year ahead and the PAC’s funds will be invaluable.”
The Bayou Preservation Association will use the funds as part of its Stream Corridor Restoration Program to restore the floodplains riparian buffer zones, through the removal of invasive species in approximately 30 acres of land and conduct workshops to help ensure that stakeholders maintain these restored lands. Projects like these support Bayou Preservation Association’s mission to celebrate, protect and restore the natural richness of all our bayous, creeks and streams.
“We are honored that Ed Emmett and the Fight Flooding PAC are supporting our efforts to support a return of function and resilience in riparian buffer zones of the floodplains within three Harris County watersheds heavily impacted by Hurricane Harvey – Cypress Creek, Clear Creek, and upper Buffalo Bayou – and to increase public understanding and support for the roles that healthy riparian areas play to the overall floodplains and ultimately the bayous.” said Robert Rayburn, Board Chairman of Bayou Preservation Association.
The Fight Flooding PAC drew support from many local organizations and businesses leaders, from the Greater Houston Partnership’s Ed Wulfe and the Houston Association of Realtors’ Ed Wolfe to the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Houston Black Chamber. The bond proposition received endorsements from nearly every state senator and representative in the region, regardless of party.
“The community came together behind Ed Emmett’s leadership,” said Auggie Campbell, Fight Flooding PAC Treasurer and West Houston Association President & CEO. “We worked hard with environmental leaders like Jim Blackburn and MaryAnne Piacentini because we all want to make our region more resilient. Judge Emmett’s decision to call the flood bond election and to put the PAC funds that are left towards restoring land are legacies that will continue to benefit Harris County.”
About Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Established in 1986, Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is the Houston nonprofit organization transforming and revitalizing Buffalo Bayou, the city’s most significant natural resource. Thanks to the generous support of foundations, corporations, individuals, and governmental agencies, BBP has raised and leveraged more than $150 million for the redevelopment and stewardship of the waterfront. The organization develops award-winning projects such as the $58 million Buffalo Bayou Park, protects land for future parks, constructs hiking and biking trails, and operates comprehensive clean-up and maintenance programs. BBP also seeks ways to activate Buffalo Bayou through pedestrian, boating, and biking amenities, volunteer activities, permanent and temporary art installations, and wide-ranging tours and events.
About Bayou Preservation Association
The mission of the Bayou Preservation Association is to celebrate, protect and restore the natural richness of all our bayous and streams, with a vision of a network of healthy bayous, streams and watersheds. It works to Increase understanding of area bayous and creeks and their watersheds by providing educational programs and opportunities, activities and events to engage all the region’s demographics. Bayou Preservation Association also strives to expand stewardship and stewardship opportunities to improve the health of our watersheds, creeks, and bayous. For information, go http://www.bayoupreservation.org/Home or call 713-529-6443.
ATTACHED PHOTO: Pictured left to right: Anne Olson, President of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership; Ed Emmett, Former Harris County Judge; Auggie Campbell, Fight Flooding PAC Treasurer and West Houston Association President & CEO; Robert Rayburn, Chair of Bayou Preservation Association; and Sarah Bernhardt, Executive Director of BPA
Contact: Suzy Hartgrove – MyHart Communications – suzy@myhartcomm.com – 832-244-2427