Community Notes 11-30-2011

1. Addicks Dam/Grand Parkway Litigation.The hearing for a preliminary injunction on Segment E of the Grand Parkway was held on November 16th. The case, Sierra Club vs. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers et.al., is centered on the increased risks resulting from the additional runoff into the Addicks Reservoir that would be generated from the Segment E construction and secondary development in the Addicks and Upper Cypress Creek watersheds. Although a preliminary injunction was not received in the hearing, there were positive outcomes for the Sierra Club. The judge wants to proceed to a decision on the merits of the case and has set an ambitious schedule as follows:
   • The administrative record is to be filed by Dec. 20th.
   • Thirty days after the administrative record is filed or after Dec. 20th, whichever is earlier, motions for summary judgment must be filed by the two parties.
   • Twenty days afterward, each party must file a response brief.
   • Ten days afterward, each party files a reply to the opposing response.

   If you have any questions, please contact 713-644-8228 or elmerz@hal-pc.org .

2. Urban Waters Small Grants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding grants for projects across the country to help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. Projects should advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents. Proposals are due by January 23rd. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/.
3. Flower Garden Advisory Council Applications. Want to get more involved in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary management? Several Advisory Council seats are coming to the end of their terms, and new applications will be considered for the following council positions: Recreational Diving, Oil and Gas Operations, Recreational Fishing, Commercial Fishing, Research, Education. For more information or to download application materials, please visit http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/advisorycouncil/councilnews.html. The deadline for application submissions is Friday, December 9th.
4. Summit 2011: State of the Gulf of Mexico. Summit 2011: State of the Gulf of Mexico will be held from December 4th to the 8th at the Omni Hotel in the Galleria. This event is committed to the ecological and economic interests in the Gulf of Mexico. Focused on action, SGM 2011 brings together leaders in government, industry, science, and non-governmental organizations to assess current conditions and build sound strategies for the future. More at http://www.sgmsummit.org/about/the-summit/.
5. 4th German American Energy Efficiecny Conference. The 4th German American Energy Efficiecny Conference will be held on December 6th from 9am-5:30pm at Norris Conference Centers – CityCentre Houston. The goal of the conference is to provide information about current trends in energy efficiency in buildings as well as to explore the market potential for companies working in the field of energy efficiency in Texas. To learn more, visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
6. Five Star Restoration Grant Program. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting proposals for its Five Star Restoration Program. The program provides modest financial assistance to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach, and training activities. The deadline for proposals is February 15th. For more information, visit http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp.
7. Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is proud to announce the 2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. An award of $2,000 will be given to the awardee’s local education agency to fund environmental educational activities and programs which support the awardee teacher (but not for construction costs, general expenses, salaries, bonuses, or other administrative expenses). For more information: http://www.epa.gov/education/teacheraward/index.html
8. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife.Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website. This week’s broadcast will cover:
   • Action for the Oceans
   • Lone Star Land Steward: Clear Creek Ranch
   • Palmetto State Park
   • The Brigades
   • Postcard From Texas – San Diego Creek
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
• December 1: Green–Good–Moderate to strong winds and low incoming background levels should keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• December 2: Green–Good–Moderate to strong winds, increasing cloud cover with rain in some areas, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
• December 3: Green–Good–Moderate winds, heavy cloud cover with rain over much of the state, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.