BAYTOWN - A public meeting of the Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership (Partnership) will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center in Baytown.
At the meeting, individuals will receive an update on the progress of the project, hear about the City of Baytown’s Watershed Ordinance, and discuss the progress of the preliminary modeling efforts. Public input on these aspects of the project can have a significant impact on its outcome, so participation is strongly encouraged. Individuals will also have the opportunity to share their questions and concerns about water quality issues in the watershed and provide direct input into the process of developing the Cedar Bayou Watershed Protection Plan.
Cedar Bayou, which forms part of the border between eastern Harris County and western Chambers and Liberty Counties, has been identified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as failing to meet state water quality standards. One of the primary impairments is elevated levels of bacteria, which may be harmful to human health.
The Partnership, facilitated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, consists of a variety of local stakeholders from across the Cedar Bayou Watershed. Partnership efforts focus on finding solutions for the water quality issues in Cedar Bayou which affect public health, the local economy and the environment.
"The Partnership is currently engaged in comprehensive scientific evaluation of water quality impairments and potential sources as part of the development of a Watershed Protection Plan. The combination of sound science and local knowledge will be used to develop and implement practical voluntary solutions to address water quality issues," said Justin Bower, Senior Environmental Planner at H-GAC.
"Our local stakeholders are the guiding force in the development of the Plan, which will guide the efforts to protect and improve water quality in Cedar Bayou for decades to come."
Light refreshments will be served at the meeting.
For more information, contact Justin Bower at (713) 499-6653, or at Justin [dot] Bower [at] h-gac [dot] com.
The Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership is funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through a Clean Water Act §319(h) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and through additional funding from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program.