Area Water Quality Draft Plans Available for Public Comment

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is seeking public comment on two draft Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for indicator bacteria in Big Creek of the Brazos River Basin in Fort Bend County and two draft TMDLs for indicator bacteria in the Oyster Creek watershed of the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin in Brazoria and Fort Bend counties.  

These projects are to reduce bacteria and protect recreational safety in affected water bodies. The TCEQ and H-GAC have been working with stakeholders in the impacted areas to identify potential sources of bacteria and develop cost-effective solutions. Continued input and feedback are crucial to the success of these efforts, and we encourage everyone to be part of the conversation.  

Written comments on the draft TMDLs for Big Creek may be submitted to Daniela Mejia, and written comments on the draft TMDLs for Oyster Creek may be submitted to Jazmyn Milford.

Mail comments to the Water Quality Planning Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, MC 203, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas, 78711-3087 or fax to [email protected]. Electronic comments may be submitted to https://tceq.commentinput.com/. File size restrictions may apply to comments submitted via the TCEQ Public Comments system. All written comments must be received at TCEQ by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, and should reference Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Big Creek or Two Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the Oyster Creek Watershed. 

H-GAC Livable Centers Call for Study Sponsors Continues

H-GAC's call for study sponsors for the Livable Centers Program is now open. 

H-GAC seeks to identify and fund Livable Centers studies and Focused Livable Centers studies. Livable Centers studies will be scaled at a community level, and Focused Livable Centers studies will focus on a smaller geographic area and/or specific issue (e.g., transit-oriented development, first/last mile connections). 

Sponsors are limited to local governments or other eligible entities in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller counties. This is not a request for proposals from consulting firms. 

Interested sponsors are encouraged to attend the pre-submittal meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14, on Zoom or in person at H-GAC for an explanation of the application process. Registration is required to attend the online meeting and requested to attend the in-person meeting. Information about deadlines, specific application content, and important dates is available online. 

All eligible sponsors must complete a Notice of Intent to Apply by Thursday, May 9. Final applications are due Monday, July 8. 

For more information, or questions about upcoming deadlines, email [email protected] or contact Sarai Osorio. 

Application Period Open for Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards 

Apply now for the 2024 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards! This program is overseen by the Natural Resources Advisory Committee, an advisory committee to the H-GAC Board of Directors, and seeks to recognize innovative projects, programs, or individuals in the 13-county region that serve as models for improving and protecting water quality. Applications close at noon on Friday, March 29. For more information, including an application guide, visit www.h-gac.com/wise-awards or email Rachel Windham. 

H-GAC Honors Parks and Natural Areas in Annual Awards Ceremony 

More than 20 projects across the Houston-Galveston region were honored for serving as models for best management practices in parks, natural areas, and water quality as part of the H-GAC's annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognition ceremony.  

The event was held at H-GAC on February 9. Attendees also heard a presentation on equity in parks and natural areas planning from David Buggs, Director of Engagements and Inclusion for Texas Parks and Wildlife. 

Winners were selected for recognition by panels of expert judges and industry professionals.  

Those recognized include:  

Winners 

Planning Process / Policy Tools 

• City of Houston Nature Preserve Ordinance (City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department [HPARD]) 
• Harris County Precinct 3 Parks and Trails Master Plan (Harris County Precinct 3)  

Projects Over $500,000 

• Hackberry Park Phase I (City of Mont Belvieu) 
• Lakeside Park (City of Angleton) 

Projects Under $500,000 

• Reed Park at the Urban Prairie (New Hope Housing) 

Programming 

• Clean Bayous Program: Pots for Plots Initiative (Bayou Preservation Association) 

Honorable Mention 

Planning Process / Policy Tools 

• Clear Creek Master Plan (City of League City) 

Projects Over $500,000 

• Alief Jefferson Early Learning Center (Alief ISD) 
• Chrysalis Lake (Howard Hughes) 

Projects Under $500,000 

• Beach Toy Borrow Boxes (Galveston Island Park Board) 

Programming 

• Park Programs (Harris County Precinct 3) 

Special Recognition 

Planning Process / Policy Tools 

• 57-acre Nature Center (City of Kemah Economic Development) 
• Missouri City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plan (Missouri City Parks and Recreation) 
• North Houston District 2023 Parks Master Plan (North Houston District) 
• Planning - Primrose Park (City of Fulshear) 
• Harris County Precinct 2 Parks and Trails Plan (Commissioner Adrian Garcia) 

Projects Over $500,000 

• East Aldine Town Center (East Aldine Management District) 
• San Luis Pass County Park Education Center & Multi-Use Renovation (Brazoria County Parks Department) 

Projects Under $500,000 

• Oak Creek Exploration Zone at The Parish School (The Parish School) 
• Restoration of Wetland and Native Grasses at Fort Anahuac Park (Chambers County) 
• Riverside Tree Give Away (Bay City Parks and Recreation) 
• Texas AIDS Memorial Garden (Michael Lee) 

Programming 

• City of Angleton Parks and Recreation In-School Program (City of Angleton Parks and Recreation) 

The application period for the 2024 Parks and Natural Areas Awards will open in September.

Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting – March 7 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the watersheds that make up Chocolate Bay—Chocolate Bayou, Mustang Bayou, and Halls Bayou—to attend a stakeholder meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7. 

The meeting will be at the Alvin Library, 105 South Gordon St., Alvin. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Chocolate Bay watershed, including Algoa, Arcola, Alvin, Fresno, Hillcrest Village, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, Manvel, Missouri City, Pearland, and Santa Fe. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in these waterways may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. Residents and organizations are invited to participate and provide input toward the development of a watershed-based plan to address water quality and reduce fecal bacteria. 

For more information about the project, visit https://www.h-gac.com/watershed-based-plans/san-jacinto-brazos-coastal-basin-tmdl-and-implementation-plan or contact Steven Johnston

Livable Centers Pre-Submittal Meeting – March 14 (Hybrid) 

H-GAC's call for study sponsors for the Livable Centers Program is now open. Sponsors are limited to local governments or other eligible entities. 

This is not a request for proposals from consulting firms. 

Do you have questions about the application process? Interested sponsors are encouraged to attend the pre-submittal meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom for an explanation of the application process.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend in person. Registration is required to attend online. 

More information about deadlines, specific application content, and pre-proposal meetings will be available online. 

For more information, email [email protected]. 

Trash Bash® to Celebrate 30 Years of Waterway Cleanups – March 23 (In Person) 

Mark your calendar for the 30th River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®, Texas’s largest single-day waterway cleanup on Saturday, March 23. 

Since its inception, more than 119,000 volunteers have collected over 2,431 tons of trash, 22 tons of recyclable materials, and 12,184 tires. Find out how to volunteer and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed at one of the many cleanup locations on March 23.

Cleanup supplies, event t-shirts, and lunch are provided to all volunteers. Trash Bash hopes you will come out and help “Clean it like you mean it !” ®

Big Creek Stakeholder Meeting – March 28 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the watersheds that make up the Big Creek Watershed in Fort Bend County to attend a stakeholder meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28.  

The meeting will be at the George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond.  

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Big Creek watershed, including Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Beasley, Needville, Fairchilds, and Thompsons. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in these waterways may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. Residents and organizations are invited to participate in this and future meetings to provide input that will be used to review the draft bacteria reduction plan and to consider the next steps needed to put the plan into action. 

For more information about the project, visit https://www.h-gac.com/watershed-based-plans/big-creek-tmdl or contact Steven Johnston

Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series – April 18, June 20, September 19 (In-Person)

H-GAC is hosting a three-part 2024 Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series—Exploring Community Conscious Planning Practices. The series will include two in-person roundtables on April 18 and June 20, and will culminate in H-GAC’s Annual Livable Centers Workshop on September 19.

• Roundtable 1 – Discussing the Power of Dynamic Engagement – 1 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Space is limited. Registration is requested.
• Roundtable 2 – Exploring Human-Centered Metrics for Success and Community Satisfaction within Transportation Projects, 1 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Space is limited. Registration is requested.
• Annual Workshop – Incremental Steps Toward Transportation, Environmental, and Social Equity, 8 a.m., Thursday, September 19. Registration is requested.

All events will be held at H-GAC second floor conference rooms.

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – April 23 (In Person) 

Make plans to participate in the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 23, in Columbus. Networking and check in begin at 9:30 a.m. The program begins at 10 a.m.

The address and agenda topics will be announced. Registration is requested, but not required to attend.

The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Oyster Creek Stakeholder Meeting – April 24 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits within the Oyster Creek Watershed in Brazoria and Fort Bend counties to attend a stakeholder meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24. 

The meeting will be at the Lake Jackson Public Library, 250 Circle Way, Lake Jackson. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues affecting communities in the Oyster Creek watershed south of Sugar Land, including Angleton, Arcola, Bailey’s Prairie, Bonney, Clute, Holiday Lakes, Iowa Colony, Juliff, Lake Jackson, Missouri City (Sienna Plantation), Richwood, Rosharon, and Sandy Point. Pollutants, specifically fecal bacteria, in this waterway may impact public health, local economies, and the natural environment. Residents and organizations are invited to participate in this and future meetings to provide input that will be used to review the draft bacteria reduction plan and to consider the next steps needed to put the plan into action.  

For more information about the project, visit https://www.h-gac.com/watershed-based-plans/san-jacinto-brazos-coastal-basin-tmdl-and-implementation-plan or contact Steven Johnston

Regional Conservation Initiative Workshop – April 25 (In Person) 

Mark your calendars to join H-GAC and trails experts for a discussion on trails planning, connectivity, and more.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 25, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms.

Experts will share insights on trails planning and available resources and representatives from local projects will share their experiences with planning and building trails in the region.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Cheryl Mergo.

Take Care of Texas Art Contest

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is hosting the Take Care of Texas Art Contest for kindergarten-fifth grade students to depict positive ways to help keep the air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste. The theme for 2024 is Recycling, and the contest sponsor is Texas Chemical Council. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 1.

Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest

The Texas General Land Office's 28th Annual Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest is accepting entries. All public, private, and home-schooled students in kindergarten-sixth grade are invited to submit artwork depicting why the Texas coast is important or special to the student. Prizes include inclusion in a 2025 calendar and event tickets to Texas destinations, and a grand prize cruise. The teacher of the student with the winning artwork will also receive recognition and prizes. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 6. 

AARP Community Challenge Grants Applications Due March 6

The AARP Livable Communities Community Challenge grants program is now open for applications. Funding is available for local governments and nonprofits to work on community-improving projects that can be started and finished by year end. AARP is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities: Flagship Grants ranging from $500 to $50,000; Capacity-Building Microgrants up to $2,500; and Demonstration Grants from $10,000 to $50,000. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 6. 

Keep Texas Beautiful Beautify Texas Awards Applications Due March 22

The Keep Texas Beautiful 2024 Beautify Texas Awards recognize efforts made by individuals and organizations to enhance their communities and protect Texas’ environment. These awards range in honoring extraordinary volunteers, professionals, youth, educators, businesses, local/civic governments, organizations, and specific projects and programs. They are organized into two main categories: Individual Awards and Organization Awards. Nominations will close on Friday, March 22.

Texas Department of Agriculture Downtown Revitalization, Main Street Programs Grants Due April 3

The Texas Department of Agriculture Downtown Revitalization and Main Street programs aim to provide infrastructure improvements to address the conditions that contribute to the deterioration in an area designated as slum or blighted in the applicant community's downtown or main street area. All proposed infrastructure improvements to be funded by the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program must be located on public property within the designated downtown district. Typically, a downtown district will meet two or more of the following: 

• The city’s historic area of commerce; 
• May be the area around the courthouse or city square; 
• Commercial area for the community; 
• Buildings of historical significance, but not primarily residential; 
• Must be areas included in or contiguous to the economic center of the community; or 
• The retail area for the community that does not include single-family dwellings. 

Cities and counties must meet certain eligibility requirements to apply. 

EPA Accepting Applications for Safer Choice Partner of the Year

As part of US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission to protect health and the environment, the Safer Choice program partners with businesses to help consumers and commercial buyers identify products with safer chemical ingredients, without sacrificing quality or performance. The EPA is now accepting applications for the 2024 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards. The awards will recognize the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders who, over the past year, have shown achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, promotion, sale and use of products, that further outstanding or innovative source reduction. Submissions are due by Thursday, April 25. Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony later in 2024. Learn more about the awards, including the application form, submission process and past winners. 

Great Texas Birding Classic Habitat Conservation Grants Deadline is May 1 

The mission of the annual Great Texas Birding Classic is to increase appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds through education, recreation, nature tourism, and conservation fundraising. The Birding Classic is a cost-recovery event, so once minimal event costs are covered by sponsorships and registration fees all remaining funds go to conservation grants in Texas. Conservation grants in the amounts of $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000 can be used to fund nature tourism and avian habitat restoration, enhancement, and acquisition projects anywhere in the state. Proposed activities may include projects on public or private lands, but all projects must provide some level of public access. The deadline for proposals is Monday, May 1. 

1093 Rails to Trails Public Meeting – March 12

The 1093 Rails to Trails Local Government Corporation and the National Parks Service will host a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, on Zoom. Five local governments--Austin County and the cities of Eagle Lake, Fulshear, Wallis, and Weston Lakes--have joined together as a local government corporation to plan and build a 31-mile shared-use trail along a former rail line alongside FM 1093 from Fulshear to Eagle Lake, connecting several Texas towns along the way. Together, these municipalities envision a shared-use trail that is safe and accessible for cyclists and pedestrians. This meeting will be a chance to learn more about a draft concept plan for the project, based on stakeholder feedback in the spring and summer of 2023. Registration is required to attend. 

Adopt-A-Beach Coastwide Cleanup – April 20

Save the date for the Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 20, at various Texas beaches. This annual event by the Texas General Land Office encourages volunteers to help keep beaches clean. Since the program began in 1986, more than 529,000 volunteers have removed 9,600 tons of trash from Texas beaches. Registration and a list of cleanup locations are available online. 

Sustainability in Food, Beverage Processing Webinars – March 28, April 25, May 23

The Energy Transition Institute and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, with support from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Prevention Grant, continue a free webinar series to provide information about how businesses can improve profitability and reduce their operating costs. Topics include using energy and water more efficiently; using renewable energy; reducing waste; and using safer cleaning and sanitizing products. The next webinar in the series will be Thursday, March 28, at noon. The topic will be Waste Reduction with speakers from RecyclingWorks and Preppy Puppy Bakery. Webinars on April 25 and May 23 will focus on Energy Efficiency, Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, and Water Efficiency. More information, including registration, is available online.

Keep Texas Beautiful Conference – June 24-27

The 2024 Keep Texas Beautiful Annual Conference will be held online June 24-27. Keep Texas Beautiful is a network of Texans working together to make the state the best place to live, work, and play. Local partners and affiliates are equipped with tools they need to help clean up and prevent litter across the state. The annual conference is an opportunity for participants to share, learn, and celebrate local, regional, and state accomplishments and programs and includes networking, educational sessions, and awards presentations. 

Funding Sources

H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements, conservation projects and downtown revitalization projects.

If you know of a funding opportunity, forward it to Andrea Tantillo.

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