WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE OIL AND GAS RESOLUTION
Washington County Commissioners approved an oil and gas development resolution in response to increasing oil and gas activity in the area at their meeting today (Tuesday).
County Engineer Wesley Stolz said the resolution acts as a review process for permitting new oil and gas work, looking at where developers set up and what routes they will take. It also ensures roads will be maintained via a $500,000 corporate surety bond posted by the company.
Stolz said this agreement only covers oil and gas, but there will be a separate document in the future to cover traffic from other types of operations like quarries. He said some nearby counties have already implemented similar practices.
County Attorney Renee Mueller said the item approved today is just the resolution, and that the court will take up the actual rules next week.
Commissioners also approved a TxDOT advanced funding agreement resolution to replace several bridges. Through the agreement, TxDOT will build bridges on Dierking Road at Williams Creek, Machemehl Road at Thomas Creek, Bosse Road at Doe Run Creek, Randermann Road at Hardeman Branch and Artesian Park Lane at the east fork of Mill Creek.
Stolz said for the county’s 10 percent match for the project, it will construct bridges this year at Krueger Road at Jackson Creek, Felder Road at Jackson Creek and Old Masonic Road at Big Sandy Creek. It will also replace the culverts at Jeske Road at the Rocky Creek Tributary.
The estimated project cost for the five bridges being built by TxDOT is $3.15 million, with the county’s match expected around $315,000.
So we can find money to replace a bridge on Bosse Rd that does not need to be replaced, but we can’t find money to pave the remaining portion of Bosse Rd that is still unpaved? Maybe the county can work with the state to make that happen, too?
Nice to see Jeske Road finally getting on the upgrade list….maybe the road flooding issue will be better going forward, Jeske Rd is one of the last remaining unpaved county roads in the area and has seen significant increased permanent residents and regular traffic since the FM50 bridge replacement. County told us 4-1/2 years ago it was on the 5 year plan to be paved…..we are ALL hoping this is coming soon too! Thanks WC Commissioners!