Manager's Welcome
This is the September 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
2006 Linda B. Smith Memorial Award - Environmental Circuit Rider Program
Clean Rivers to Release 2006 Basin Summary Report
H-GAC CDBG Hurricane Rita Disaster Recovery Program - Update
Municipal Solid Waste In Texas: A Year in Review - 2005 Report Available
Nominations Now Open for Texas Environmental Excellence Awards
Small Community Park Grants Approved
Applicants Sought for $19 Million in EPA Watershed Grants
H-GAC Board of Directors Adopts Resolution of Support
H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
TMDL Stakeholders Meetings
Environmental Enforcement Roundtable
Cities and Counties Planning for Growth
Clean Rivers Program Regional Monitoring Workgroup OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Compost Utilization Workshop
Compost Advisory Council: 2006 Compost Camp IN THIS ISSUE
Recycling Alliance of Texas: 2006 Linda B. Smith Memorial Award - H-GAC Environmental Circuit Rider Program
Congratulations to H-GAC's Environmental Circuit Rider Program (ECRP) for winning first place in the Recycling Alliance of Texas: 2006 Linda B. Smith Memorial Award. Because illegal dumping is a problem facing each person living in the Houston-Galveston region, H-GAC expanded its efforts to combat illegal dumping by implementing the Environmental Circuit Rider Program to provide local governments with training, workshops and prosecutorial assistance. The ECRP involves all 13 counties and a large number of cities in the Houston-Galveston region and thus far has garnered over 400 participants. The ECRP is one of the first programs of its kind created to address and educate local governments, therefore interest in the program was well received not only in the Houston-Galveston region, but from Dallas County to as far south as the City of San Juan. For more information on this program, contact Amy Boyers via email aboyers@h-gac.com or by phone (713) 993-2413.
Back to Top Clean Rivers to Release 2006 Basin Summary Report
H-GAC's Clean Rivers Program is set to release its 2006 Basin Summary Report. The report contains detailed water quality assessments of four local basins, including the San Jacinto River, Trinity-San Jacinto Coastal, San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal and the Brazos-Colorado Coastal Basins. The report will come to you in a different format this year – 100% electronic. The report will be distributed on an interactive CD. It contains data from over 400 monitoring locations in the H-GAC service area. The CD is 100% searchable, contains detailed maps and a detailed summary of water quality information for each designated stream segment in the region. The report will also be available on the H-GAC website. If you have any questions about the report or would like to receive a copy, please call Todd Running, Clean Rivers Program Manager at (713) 993-4549.
Back to Top H-GAC CDBG Hurricane Rita Disaster Recovery Program - Update
H-GAC is working with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Office of Rural and Community Affairs to implement a $10.7 million dollar plan funding disaster recovery projects that address damage caused by Hurricane Rita. Of this amount $3.6 million dollars is for infrastructure projects for eligible communities in the H-GAC region. H-GAC held a call for applications during early August 2006. H-GAC developed a prioritized list of projects. Program funds were then allocated to projects in order priority until available funds were exhausted. This process resulted in the recommendation of 15 projects. H-GAC placed the remaining projects on a waiting list should additional funds become available. Examples of recommended projects include: home buyouts, flood and drainage projects, community shelters and generators for critical infrastructure (i.e. water and sewage plants), and dune restoration. On August 30, 2006 the TDHCA Board of Directors approved the list of prioritized projects and authorized ORCA to enter into contract negotiations with successful applicants. For more information contact Chuck Wemple at 713-993-4514 or cwemple@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review - 2005 Report Available
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MSW Section is happy to announce the publication of the annual summary report entitled MSW in Texas: A Year in Review containing data from Fiscal Year 2005. Hard copies of the report can order through the TCEQ Communications web page here by searching for publication number 187/06. Also, soft copies in PDF format can be downloaded free of charge from the site.
Back to Top Nominations Now Open for Texas Environmental Excellence Awards
If you are aware of an outstanding environmental project in your region, consider nominating it for a 2007 Texas Environmental Excellence Award (TEEA) in the Government category. Presented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the TEEA is the highest environmental honor in the state. Winners will be recognized at the TEEA awards banquet during the TCEQ Trade Fair and Conference in Austin this May. A video profile will be produced to tell each winner's story, and the efforts of all the winning projects will be publicized through all appropriate media. Applicants may submit nominations in one of 10 categories. For more information, go to http://www.teea.org/ or call TCEQ Awards Coordinator Dana Macomb at 512/239-4745. Application deadline is November 3, 2006.
Back to Top Small Community Park Grants Approved
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Small Community Program provides 50% matching fund, reimbursement grants to eligible local governments of a population of 20,000 or less. The maximum amount that may be applied for per application is $50,000 ($100,000 total project). Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the State of Texas legally responsible for providing public recreation services to their citizens. This includes cities, counties, and some other government entities. Communities in the H-GAC region approved for grants are: Bellaire Town Square Park Development for $50,000.00 and Mission Bend M.U.D. #1 Ambrose Park Development for $50,000.00.
Back to Top Applicants Sought for $19 Million in EPA Watershed Grants
EPA plans to award up to $19 million in grants to help clean up and restore the nation's waterways. Proposals must reach EPA by October 16, 2006, for capacity-building grants and November 15, 2006, for project-implementation grants. Capacity-building grants provide for education and training, whereas implementation grants involve actions such as protection and preservation. State governors and tribal leaders nominate potential recipients for implementation grants. EPA will evaluate and rank submissions based on criteria outlined in each notice. Watershed organizations receive the awards based on how likely they are to achieve environmental results in a relatively short time. Selection of the grantees will be announced in the fall. Under the Targeted Watersheds Grant Program, EPA has awarded nearly $40 million to 46 watershed organizations since 2003. In excess of $2 million has gone to five watershed capacity-building organizations to further the activities of more than 3,000 local watershed groups. For this grant cycle, the focus will be on supporting community-based approaches and strengthening local capacity to protect and clean up water resources. More information:
Targeted Watershed Grants: http://www.epa.gov/twg
Grant process: http://www.grants.gov/
2005 Annual Report: http://www.epa.gov/twg/2005annualreport
Back to Top H-GAC Board of Directors Adopts Resolution of Support
The H-GAC Board of Directors adopted a Resolution of Support for the Galveston Bay Coastal Habitat Conservation Initiative, which calls for allocating $12 million in Coastal Impact Assistance Program funds for placing 2,500 acres of coastal prairies and associated wetlands under long-term conservation, including: placing 500 acres of barrier island habitats under long-term conservation; placing 500 acres of riparian forests/coastal flatwoods under long-term conservation; and protecting and restoring 500 acres of estuarine wetlands. This initiative addresses the top problem identified in the Galveston Bay Comprehensive Management Plan and has garnered support from many area groups including the Armand Bayou Nature Center, Bayou Preservation Association, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Galveston Bay Council, Galveston Bay Foundation, Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Audubon Society, Houston Wilderness, Scenic Galveston, Sierra Club, Houston Regional Group, The Park People, and The Trust for Public Land. For more information, contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com.
Back to Top H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
TMDL Stakeholders Meetings
Buffalo Bayou/White Oak Bayou TMDL Stakeholders Meeting
September 7, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
4:00 p.m. Buffalo Bayou/White Oak Bayou stakeholders will meet to hear a report on load allocations for bacteria, discuss activities in preparation of the Implementation Phase of this important water quality project and to hear progress made by Harris County in its water quality studies related to bacteria. Houston Ship Channel/Upper Galveston Bay Dioxin TMDL Stakeholders Meeting
September 19, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
1:00 p.m. Houston Ship Channel/Upper Galveston Bay Dioxin TMDL stakeholders will meet to receive a status report on current and future water quality modeling efforts and future activities for this project. Clear Creek TMDL Stakeholders Meeting
September 21, 2006
Friendswood Public Library
416 S Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546
6:00 p.m. Clear Creek stakeholders will meet to hear a status report on water quality monitoring and modeling efforts and to recommend a TMDL Stakeholder Steering Committee for this project. For more information on any of these stakeholder meetings, contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Environmental Enforcement Roundtable
September 14, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Topic of interest: Environmental Sampling. Contact Amy Boyers at aboyers@h-gac.com or 713-993-2441 for more information.
Back to Top Cities and Counties Planning for Growth
September 15, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. H-GAC is hosting a Cities and Counties Planning for Growth workshop. The workshop program focuses on planning and management principles that have the potential to improve a community's economic competitiveness, cost efficiency and "livability." The workshop will include information on H‑GAC's regional growth forecast and its implications for regional mobility and flood management. Both of these issues are becoming increasingly regional in nature, spanning the boundaries of incorporated and unincorporated areas. The workshop will also highlight best practices for coordinating land use, transportation and flood management planning to produce a high quality environment. Featured presentations will include an overview of current growth trends in our region and their potential environmental impacts. We'll also review regulatory authority of counties, economic incentives for growth standards and legislative issues. The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion covering topics such as successful growth planning, overcoming challenges and coordinating local government efforts. For more information, contact Cheryl Mergo at cmergo@h-gac.com or 713.993.4520. RSVP is required. You may RSVP at www.h-gac.com/swrsvp.
Back to Top Clean Rivers Program Regional Monitoring Workgroup
October 10, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room C, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, TX 77027
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Todd Running at trunning@h-gac.com or 713.993.4549.
Back to Top OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Compost Utilization Workshop
September 20-22, 2006
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This workshop will educate professionals from varied fields in the use of compost to save time and money, and give better results. The workshop will show how compost can be used to address a wide range of issues, including erosion control, vegetation establishment, disease control, water conservation, and reduction of injuries on sports fields. For more information, contact Ron Drachenberg of Fort Bend County Engineering at 281-633-7500 or visit http://www.ohbaonline.org/.
Back to Top Compost Advisory Council: 2006 Compost Camp
October 23-25, 2006
Texas Organic Products
Austin, Texas Everything you needed to know about compost and more! Activities and topics will include equipment demonstrations, industry and state regulations, operations management, networking and more. For more information, or to register, visit the Compost Advisory Council web site at http://www.compostadvisorycouncil.com/.
Back to Top
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