The district may enter voluntary interlocal agreements and seek grants for dredging and maintenance, but it must get City of Houston Public Works approval before work in Lake Houston and avoid requiring payment from the other party.
Sec. 9602.0302. SPECIFIC POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) In this section, "dredging and maintenance operations" includes the removal of: (1) sediment and debris that accumulates under and above the water; and (2) floating debris. (b) The district may form voluntary interlocal agreements with political subdivisions, corporate entities, or other persons to perform dredging and maintenance operations in areas of the service area controlled or maintained by the party to the interlocal agreement. The district may not require payment from the other party to the interlocal agreement for dredging and maintenance operations performed under an interlocal agreement entered into under this section. (c) The district may seek from any source a grant of money or another resource to assist the district's dredging and maintenance operations. (d) Dredging and maintenance operations performed by or caused to be performed by the district may not: (1) negatively affect the quality of water in Lake Houston; or (2) degrade the quality of water to be: (A) treated by the City of Houston's Northeast Water Purification Plant or any other surface water treatment plant; or (B) transported by the West Canal or another water conveyance system. (e) The district must: (1) obtain approval from the City of Houston Public Works before performing or causing to be performed dredging and maintenance operations in Lake Houston; and (2) exercise due diligence when performing dredging and maintenance operations in Lake Houston. (f) The City of Houston Public Works is immune from liability for any damages resulting from direct or indirect dredging and maintenance operations performed in Lake Houston, regardless of whether the operations are performed by or caused to be performed by the district. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 1532), Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2025.