ECONOTES 2012-02-27: Environmental Headlines for the Houston Region
Featured
- Houston Audubon fills up pond for migratory birds (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 02/20/2012)
Two months ago, there was almost no water in the Clay Bottom Pond on the Bolivar Peninsula, a favorite nesting spot for a large variety of migratory birds including snowy egrets and roseate spoonbills. Houston Audubon decided to take action by buying water from a local utility district to refill the pond before the birds’ return. The drought has already impacted migratory patterns, without much fresh water for drinking and bathing and with diminished trees and plants for food and shelter, in many places across Texas.
http://www.chron.com/ - Knowing The Value Of Water (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News, 02/27/2012)
Even though there have been recent rains, the majority of Texas is still in drought. One of the biggest issues has been leaking and broken pipes and excessive watering. Amy Hardberger, an attorney with the Texas chapter of the Environmental Defense Fund, thinks that water has been under-priced for its importance. Conservation is key and raising the price of water could highly impact the amount of water that is wasted.
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Groups to present watershed improvement plan (Christopher Smith Gonzalez – The Daily News, 02/21/2012)
The Texas Sea Grant, Galveston Bay Estuary Program and the Texas Coastal Watershed Program are working on a plan to clean up the Highland Bayou watershed near La Marque, TX. The Highland Bayou watershed has high levels of bacteria and low dissolved oxygen content, which can be harmful to wildlife. The bayou helps support activities such as oyster production and commercial fishing in Galveston Bay.
http://galvestondailynews.com/ - Houston Chronicle Special Section: Environmental Philanthropy in Houston. (Various authors, 02/26/2012)
Galveston Bay Foundation, Memorial Park Conservancy, Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston Wilderness are among local environmental groups that are included in this special section, which emphasizes the importance of both financial support and volunteer support.
EcoNotes
- 27 February
- Knowing The Value Of Water (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - The Texas Drought: How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 24 February
- Incentive Act Conserves Resources (The Daily News)
http://galvestondailynews.com/Â - Landowners Win Water (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Farmer Loses Restraining Order Against Keystone XL Pipeline (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Obama Says High Gas Prices Show Need For New Energy Sources (Matt Spetalnick and Missy Ryan – Planet Ark News)
http://planetark.org/ - Texas Supreme Court Rules in Historic Water Regulation Case (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 23 February
- TCEQ chief announces retirement (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - TCEQ Executive Director Mark Vickery Retires (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/ - What Does Redistricting Mean for Renewables in Texas? (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Drought Monitor: Houston Doing Better (KUHF News)
http://app1.kuhf.org/ - Your Weekly Drought Update: It’s Getting Better All the Time (Terrence Henry – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Texas A&M University – Climate Change (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - 22 February
- Texas Striped Bass, the Next Victims of the Drought? (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $427,251 (TCEQ News)
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/ - 21 February
- Groups to present watershed improvement plan (Christopher Smith Gonzalez – The Daily News)
http://galvestondailynews.com/ - Comptroller Susan Combs Succeeds in Protecting Texas Economy with Texas Conservation Plan (Guidry News)
http://www.guidrynews.com/ - How the Biggest Power Plant in Texas Will Use Pollution to Pump Oil (Dave Fehling – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Why Fewer Fishing Licenses Could Mean Fewer Fish for Texas (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - Another One Bites the Dust? Permit Expires for Joslin Power Plant say Environmental Groups (Mose Buchele – StateImpact)
http://stateimpact.npr.org/ - 20 February
- Houston Audubon fills up pond for migratory birds (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/ - 17 February
- Vulnerable to climate disruption, Lubbock seeks a sustainable water supply (Michael Haederle – Texas Climate News)
http://texasclimatenews.org/ - 16 February
- Houston counting on North Texas wastewater for years to come (Jason Whitely – WFAA News)
http://www.wfaa.com/news/