Public Freedom of Information Act Requests

An error has occurred. Error: DDR Menu is currently unavailable.

Public Information Requests

It is the policy of the Flood Control District to comply with the Texas Public Information Act (the “TPIA”). The public has a right to prompt access to the records of the the Flood Control District that are not confidential or otherwise protected. The Flood Control District will acknowledge requests for information within two business days and may charge a fee as prescribed by law or regulation for the costs incurred producing the requested documents. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within two business days, your request was not received. In this case, please email TPIArequest@hcfcd.hctx.net and ask for the Public Information Act Officer.

The request must ask for records or information already in existence. The Public Information Act does not require governmental bodies to create new information, perform legal research, or to answer questions.

How can I make a Public Information Act request?

We recommend using this Online Public Records Center to submit a request for Public Information. This Public Records Center will allow you to track and monitor the status of your request and receive most documents in response to your request.

In accordance with Texas Public Information Act, the Harris County Flood Control District has designated the following methods for receiving public information requests. A member of the public may make a written request for public information under the Public Information Act by delivering the request using one of the following methods:

The Flood Control District's Online Public Records Center: Submit a Request
Electronic Mail: TPIArequest@hcfcd.hctx.net
United States Mail: 9900 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77092
Hand Delivery: 9900 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77092

The Flood Control District does not accept written requests for public information through facsimile transmission. Your request will not be considered received unless it is sent to the proper address.

Submit a Request

How much does it cost to make a Public Information Request?

There is no initial cost to submit a public information request. If there is a cost associated with your request, you will receive notification of estimated cost in writing. The Flood Control District uses the rates established by the Office of the Attorney General to determine charges for the production of public records.

If the cost of the request is expected to exceed $40, the Flood Control District will send a cost estimate letter to the requestor. The estimate letter will include an itemized statement of any copying, personnel, mailing or other charges that will be incurred in fulfilling the request. Once the requestor confirms that he or she agrees to the estimated costs, the Flood Control District will begin compiling the records. If the requestor does not respond to the cost estimate letter within ten (10) days, the request will be closed.

Common Charges Include:

Paper copies – single sided, black & white, standard size 8.5 x 11- $0.10 / page
Oversize paper, not including maps and photographs - $0.50 / page
Compact Disk (CD) - $1.00 ea
DVD - $3.00 ea

Labor Charges:

Personnel time for locating, compiling, manipulating data, and reproducing records + overhead - $22.50 / hr
Computer Programming + overhead - $42.75 / hr

Fees For Repetitive Requestors:

Effective Sept 1, 2007, the Texas Legislature adopted H.B. 2564, which authorizes a governmental body, such as the Flood Control District, to establish a process of charging a fee if the time required for information production from a single requestor exceeds 36 hours during a fiscal year or 15 hours during a month.

In such cases, the Flood Control District is authorized to provide the requestor with a written estimate of the total cost, including materials, personnel time and overhead expenses, necessary to comply with the request. The written estimate must be provided to the requestor on or before the 10th day after the date on which the public information was requested.

For more information on the Texas Public Information Act, please visit the Texas Attorney General Web site at the Attorney General’s Open Government website regarding Charges for Public Information.

Where estimated costs exceed $100, the requestor will be required to make a deposit before any records are compiled.