Bacterial Concerns in Upper Coast to be Discussed

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is hosting the first in a series public meetings to inform stakeholders of a water quality project being initiated in the Bay. The meetings will be held:

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
White Memorial Park, Whites Park Exhibit Hall,
225 Whites Memorial Drive, Hankamer, TX 77560
9:00 - 11:30 AM

Thursday, February 28, 2008
Clear Lake Park Meeting Room
5001 NASA Road 1, Clear Lake, TX 77586
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Friday, February 29, 2008
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) Galveston Laboratory Ballroom
4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston, TX 77551
2:00 - 4:30 PM

The goal of a total maximum daily load is to determine the amount (or load) of a pollutant that a body of water can receive and still support its beneficial uses. TMDLs are required for some impaired water bodies under the 1972 federal Clean Water Act. The state of Texas requires that the water quality in the bay areas be suitable for swimming, wading, fishing, a healthy aquatic ecosystem, and for growing and harvesting clams, mussels, or oysters. The counties within the watershed include Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris.

Each meeting will present the same information and will give interested parties an opportunity to learn about efforts to improve water quality and develop plans specific to this watershed. The public is encouraged to participate in this process by attending whichever meeting is most convenient. More information and an overall project overview can be found at the following Web page: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/water/tmdl/74-uppercoastoyster.html.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail notice to others who may also have an interest in the Upper Coast Bay. This would include but not limited to marinas, recreational users, boaters (chemical toilets), fishermen, oyster men, RV parks, boat rentals, charter services, on-site-septic system owners, etc.

Download the project overview

Earlene Lambeth
TX Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Total Maximum Daily Load Section (TMDL)
PO Box 13087 MC 203
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Fax: (512) 239-1414
Telephone: (512) 239-3129
elambeth@tceq.state.tx.us