Manager's Welcome
This is the March issue of the Houston-Galveston Area Council's (H-GAC's) Community and Environmental Planning (C&E) E-newsletter. We hope this monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on the wide variety of community planning, economic development and environmental planning programs going on at H-GAC. We want this information to be useful and are very interested in your feedback! If you have any questions about any of our programs, please feel free to contact me at 713-993-4560 or Jeff.Taebel@h-gac.com. To unsubscribe, add another subscriber or offer any comments on the e-newsletter, please e-mail cep_news@h-gac.com. To view the current and past editions of the e-newsletter, please visit:
www.h-gac.com/CEeNewsletter Please click on the links below to view information regarding each topic. IN THIS ISSUE
H-GAC Board Adopted 2035 Forecast
ORCA to Hold Public Hearings on Rural-Focused Texas Community Development Block Grant Programs
Creating Walkable Centers
New Clear Creek Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Study
Buffalo/White Oak Bayous Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Study
13th Annual Trash Bash Event
Study Demonstrates High Density Development Protects Water Resources
Wal-Mart first to Offer Laptop to Meet Hazwaste Directive
H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Clean Rivers Program Coordinated Monitoring Meeting
H-GAC to Host City Planning Workshop for Local Officials
Storm Debris: GIS and Debris Management
Recycle 202 Workshop
Storm Debris: Community Relations and Special Collection Areas
Regional Recycling Roundtable: Electronic Recycling
OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Charting the Course to 2015 Galveston Bay Community Open House
Severe Storms Conference
IN THIS ISSUE
H-GAC Board Adopted 2035 Forecast
On February 21, 2006 the H-GAC Board adopted the 2035 Regional forecast of population, households, and employment. The adopted county totals will remain in effect until the next forecast is adopted. Forecasting program staff anticipates that county totals will be revised every two to three years. Staff may also make minor interim adjustments, if they become necessary, at the city or transportation analysis zone level as new data on development events, annexations, or other local factors is made available to H‑GAC, but in no case will these affect the county totals. To view forecast results or for more information, please visit the forecast homepage www.h-gac.com/forecast.
Back to Top ORCA to hold public hearings on rural-focused Texas Community Development Block Grant programs
The Office of Rural Community Affairs announced that the agency will hold six public hearings across the state to receive comments on the administration of the state's rural and small community-focused Texas Community Development Block Grant program funds, which come to Texas from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Comments are being requested on the proposed "2007 CDBG Action Plan," a document which describes the methods ORCA will use for distributing the HUD funds among the various Texas CDBG programs, award amounts per program, and program application selection processes, among other items. The hearings will provide individuals with excellent opportunities to contribute their thoughts on any ORCA-funded projects or programs. The process will also provide the public with the occasion to hear what others are thinking about the projects and programs. ORCA staff will also welcome public comment on the agency and other rural issues while conducting the hearings. For more information and a schedule of the hearings visit, www.orca.state.tx.us
Back to Top Creating Walkable Centers
H-GAC has begun a program to promote better coordination of transportation and land use. Its aim is to create safe, convenient alternatives to car travel where possible. The main program strategies are: strengthening or establishment of walkable Centers; creating a better street network Connections, and designing roadways in keeping with the Context of the surrounding land uses. This "3-C's" strategy appears to have the potential to reduce congestion, improve safety, and produce economic and environmental benefits. This article will focus on the benefits of centers. Centers are places with a concentration of jobs, shopping, activities, housing, or all of the above. The clustering of trip origins and destinations in centers creates opportunities for short walking trips which eliminates the need for cars. Depending on the concentration of activities and the pedestrian environment, internal car trips within a center can be reduced by 5% to 55%. It is also easier to provide frequent transit service and other commute alternatives to a center than to dispersed destinations. Another benefit of centers is that less land is necessary for surface parking lots than is required for strip development. More efficient land utilization can help reduce the amount of impervious surface in the region's watersheds and strengthen the local property tax base. Finally, a safe, walkable center can become a community focal point, enhancing the quality of life of local residents and strengthening community identity. H-GAC is currently exploring ways to integrate the 3 C's strategy into it's landuse transportation strategies. If you would like to learn more about this program, please go to the H-GAC web site www.h-gac.com/landuse or contact Chris McGowan at cmcgowan@h-gac.com
Back to Top New Clear Creek Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Study
New Clear Creek Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study will kickoff in late March. The initial meeting will be to introduce the project, look at water quality data that has been collected and establish the stakeholder process for developing the TMDL and Implementation Plan. H-GAC staff is looking for a location in one of the communities along Clear Creek. If you are interested in attending the kickoff meeting, please contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Buffalo & White Oak Bayous Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Study
Buffalo & White Oak Bayous Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load Study is entering the implementation planning phase to develop a Watershed Action Plan for reducing the bacterial load to these bayous and their tributaries. To make this effort as comprehensive as possible a number of work groups will be formed to deal with various issues including wastewater discharges, storm water discharges, septic systems and others. It is very important that as many stakeholders within these watersheds be involved as possible and if you are interested in participating on a work group, having a presentation made to your organization or want to receive information as it develops, please contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com.
Back to Top 13th Annual Trash Bash© Event
Spend part of Saturday March 25th being part of the largest single-day clean up event in our region. Join over 4,000 volunteers in pulling trash and debris out our river, lakes, bays and bayous. With 13 sites to choose from, you and your friends can make a difference in the environment and improve the appearance of our local waterways. Sites extend from Lake Conroe to Galveston Bay and include several urban bayous. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and lunch in recognition of their efforts. So, come on out and "Clean it Like You Mean It!"™. For more information, and to find a site near you, visit www.trashbash.org or call our hotline at 281-486-9500.
Back to Top Study Demonstrates that High Density Development Protects Water Resources
EPA has produced a report called "Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development." Many communities are asking where and how they can accommodate population growth while maintaining and improving their water resources. Some water-quality experts believe higher-density development may be a better way to protect water resources. For more information, visit https://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=1007
Back to Top Wal-Mart First to Offer Laptop that Meets Hazwaste Directive
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will be the first U.S. retailer to offer a laptop computer that meets a European directive restricting hazardous materials. The retail giant worked with Toshiba to develop the Satellite A55-S1064 laptop, which meets the European Union´s Restriction on Hazardous Substance directive. The directive restricts the use of hazardous substances, such as lead, chromium and mercury, in electronics sold in European markets effective July 1. Electronics sold in the United States do not have to meet the RoHS standard, but Wal-Mart has encouraged its suppliers to restrict the amount of hazardous material in their products. All personal computers Wal-Mart sells will meet the RoHS standard by July.
Back to Top H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Storm Debris: GIS and Debris Management
March 15, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This is a non-technical, practical workshop for local governments, disaster response, public works, community planners, GIS professionals, and anyone with an interest in the applications of GIS for storm debris management. Learn how GIS can be used to: Estimate storm impacts and debris quantities, Assess storm damage and develop debris removal strategies and Estimate debris and track debris removal and recovery The workshop will include an overview of how GIS was utilized to assist with the debris operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana as well as examples from the 2004 hurricane season in Florida. H-GAC staff will also provide information on the GIS and data resources available from H-GAC and regionally, including an update on regional data sharing efforts. RSVP to Kelly Doyle by March 13 at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Clean Rivers Program Coordinated Monitoring Meeting
March 28, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room C
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information contact Jean Wright at 713-499-6660 or jwright@h-gac.com
Back to Top H-GAC to Host City Planning Workshop for Local Officials
March 29, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.(registration will begin at 8:30) The workshop, which is put on by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association, will feature top city planners from the public and private sector, covering the following topics: Texas Planning: What you need to know in 2006, Being An Effective and Ethical Planning Commissioner, Learn By Doing – An Exercise in Decision Making, Undertaking Planning in Communities With a Limited Staff, The Importance of Meeting Procedures and Legislative Action and Court Decisions Impact on Planning There will also be an interactive session where participants can bring up the hot city planning topics in their areas and get responses from the trainers and others in attendance. Workshop registration is $75, which includes lunch, a workbook, and other workshop materials. More details will be available on www.houstonapa.com. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact Jeff Taebel at jtaebel@h-gac.com or (713) 627-3200.
Back to Top Recycle 202 Workshop
March 31, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Morning Session: Construction & Demolition (C&D) Recycling, Reuse and Reduction
8 am to 11:30 pm
This morning session will provide local governments with practical tools to implement C&D waste minimization strategies as part of their overall waste diversion programs. Afternoon Session: Recycling Procurement & Contract Issues
12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
The afternoon session will provide participants with insight into the recycling procurement process and provide information related to developing better recycling contracts. RSVP Required: Please RSVP to Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com. Please indicate whether you will be attending 1. Morning Session, 2. Afternoon Session, and/or 3. Lunch.
Back to Top Storm Debris: Community Relations and Special Collection Areas
April 19, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
To RSVP by April 17th or for more information, please contact Kelly Doyle at kdoyle@h-gac.com or 713-993-4566.
Back to Top Regional Recycling Roundtable: Electronic Recycling
April 20, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
RSVP to Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com.
Back to Top OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Charting the Course to 2015 Galveston Bay Community Open House
The Galveston Bay Estuary Program cordially invites you to attend a Charting the Course to 2015 Galveston Bay Community Open House. This is your opportunity to learn about Galveston Bay's impact on our economic well-being, health, and quality of life, and how you can become involved in shaping its future! Be a part of Charting the Course to 2015 to take action toward sustaining Galveston Bay for generations to come.
Visit the exhibits, talk to Bay experts, and watch A Day on Galveston Bay, a great new video. Share your interests, ideas and concerns to help Chart the Course to a sustainable region that depends on the bay! We want to hear from you. Come to any Free Open House !They located throughout the Houston-Galveston region:
• Saturday, March 4 – Bear Creek Community Center, 3055 Bear Creek Drive, Houston.
• Sunday, March 5 – Eddie Gray Wetlands Center, 1724 Market Street, Baytown.
• Sunday, March 26 – Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena.
• Saturday, April 1 – Alvin Senior Citizen Center, 309 West Sealy, Alvin.
• Sunday, April 2 – National Marine Fisheries Service, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston. Attend an open house anytime between 1 pm and 5 pm. In addition to great exhibits and information, there will be food, fun, and prizes for you to enjoy.
Back to Top Severe Storms Conference
Severe Storms – the Conference will be held March 15 & 16 at Rice University. This conference will focus on the technical, emergency response, social and economic issues associated with tropical storms and hurricanes in Gulf Coast communities. The conference will be broad in scope and inter-disciplinary in coverage with speakers from the pubic, private and academic sectors. There will be a session covering this past season's major hurricanes. The conference costs $200. For additional information Christine Gardner at 713-348-4700 or chrisg@rice.edu.
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