Houston Environmental News Update March 5, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update March 5, 2013

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CEC NOTES

1. Visions for a Greener Houston: Online Registration Now Available

COALITION NOTES

1. Global Warming – An Update with Tim Mock
2. CWI: Asset Management for Sanitary Sewer Systems
3. Unplugged Adventure: Rise of the Serpents
4. Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition Clean-up & Tree Planting
5. Buffalo Bayou Partnership at the OKRA Charity Saloon
6. Birdathon Brouhaha: Celebrate the Kickoff
7. 2013 Buffalo Bayou Regatta
8. Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation
9. Alliance for Clean Texas (ACT) Lobby Day
10. River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash
11. Kayak Certification Courses
12. 9th Annual Wildlife Center of Texas Golf Tournament
13. Birdies for the Birds – GCBO Golf Tournament
14. Public Comment – Transportation Improvement Program Projects

COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Mayors Challenge: One Bin for All
2. Photography at Texas State Parks
3. The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA)
4. VegOut Houston
5. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
6. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

1. Group effort helps native habitat at Terry Hershey Park (Flori Meeks –
   Houston Chronicle, 2/26/2013)
2. H-GAC to update transportation plan, projects Houston population
   increase of 3.3 million by 2040 (Shawn Arrajj – Community Impact
   Newspaper, 2/22/2013)
3. Galveston’s Oppe Elementary Writes a Resolution! (Guidry News,
   2/27/2013)

GREEN JOBS

1. NEW! Bayou Preservation Association seeks Water Quality Investigator
   Interns (2 positions)
2. NEW! The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks full-time Volunteer
   Programs Coordinator
3. NEW! Bayou Greenways 2020 seeks Grassroots
   and Digital Coordinator
4. Air Alliance Houston seeks Executive Director
5. Nature Discovery Center Seeks Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator
6. ExxonMobil CSJP seeks Hermann Park Centennial Exhibit Research Intern
7. Shell seeks Hermann Park Reforestation Planning and Volunteer Programs
   Intern.
8. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks Summer Crew Leaders
9. The Environmental Health Service at Baylor College of Medicine seeks
   Project Intern
10. The Environmental Health Service at Baylor College of Medicine seeks
    Research Coordinator
11. Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership seeks Watershed Director
12. Galveston Baykeeper seeks a Baykeeper/Wetland Watch Coordinator
13. HARC seeks a GIS/Remote Sensing Research Associate
14. Houston Endowment is seeking a Vice President For Programs

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

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CEC NOTES

 

Visions
for a Greener Houston

Online registration now available.
$25

If you prefer to pay by cash or check, please reserve your spot by
contacting shawn@cechouston.org.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
1:00 pm to 6:30 pm
United Way Community Resource Center
50 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77007

Please plan to join us in a participative, collaborative process, through a series of working
sessions, in a group effort to envision the year ahead.

 

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COALITION NOTES

1. Global Warming – An Update with Tim Mock. Has
   climate disaster moved from possible to probable? Do we need to be
   preparing/adapting, as well as keeping disaster from turning into
   apocalypse? Tim Mock will facilitate a discussion of these issues with
   up-to-date videos and texts. This free lecture will take place at the
   Nature Discovery Center Classroom on March 6, 2013, 7-8:30pm. Snacks
   provided. More at http://www.naturediscoverycenter.org/.
2. CWI: Asset Management for Sanitary Sewer Systems. The
   Clean Waters Initiative continues on March 8, 2013, 8am-3pm, at
   Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A. The workshop will
   cover Asset Management for Sanitary Sewer Systems (CMOM) and include
   presentations by the City of Houston, City of Dallas, City of Sugar
   Land, a Financial Advisor for MUDs, and TCEQ. A meeting of the BIG
   Sanitary Sewer System (SSS) workgroup will conclude the workshop. Learn
   more at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
3. Unplugged Adventure: Rise of the Serpents. March 9,
   2013. Each March, water snakes arise from their winter slumber to breed,
   fill their empty bellies, and begin anew their quest for survival. This
   unplugged experience will introduce you to these most misunderstood
   prairie animals – helping you separate fact from fiction, identify
   venomous vs. non-venomous snakes, and give you a chance to spot a wild
   serpent on its home turf. Fearful? Don’t be. You will be led by trained
   guides who will make sure that you have a memorable and safe experience.
   Guests are highly encouraged to bring a light-colored blank cotton
   t-shirt for silk-screening a special snake-themed Wild Things t-shirt.
   Learn more at http://www.cechouston.org/.
   **Volunteers are needed for this event. If interested in volunteering,
   please contact Jaime at jaime@katyprairie.org.
4. Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition Clean-up & Tree Planting.
   Join the Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition and other committed volunteers
   for the second-annual North Reach Clean-up and Tree Planting Event in
   the Greenspoint area. In partnership with Harris County Flood Control
   District and Trees for Houston, participants will plant 25 trees and
   clean several miles of bayou on March 9, 2013, from 8am-noon. Learn more
   at http://greensbayou.org/.
5. Buffalo Bayou Partnership at the OKRA Charity Saloon.
   BBP been chosen as 1 of 4 charities that you can support in March by
   voting at the OKRA Charity Saloon. All of the proceeds for March will be
   donated to the charity that receives the most votes this month. Learn
   more at http://www.friedokra.org/charity-bar.html.
6. Mixers on the Map. Step into Spring with culturemap
   Mixers on the Map on March 12, 2013, 6-9pm, at The Grove (1611 Lamar
   St). Sip a cocktail, mingle with your peers, and support the causes of
   local organizations. The organizations that will be featured at this
   next event include Bayou HEROns, Houston Zoo’s Flock, Urban Green, and
   RedBuds. Please RSVP to rsvp@culturemap.com. http://cechouston.org/
7. Birdathon Brouhaha: Celebrate the Kickoff! Join
   Houston Audubon at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary from 4-6pm on
   March 16, 2013, for the free kickoff party. See the sanctuary, enjoy
   local brews, eye up the competition, and have a great time preparing for
   this year’s Birdathon! Birdathon is the Audubon Society’s fun way to
   promote conservation. Participants are encouraged to form a team and go
   out birding for a length of time of 24 hours or less and count as many
   birds as you can. Simultaneously, raise funds from friends, family, work
   place, sports team, book club, manicurist, and more, to promote Houston
   Audubon’s mission. Not an experienced birder? Join one of the guided
   teams, where you can select the package that fits you best. Glen Olsen’s
   team will hold the first guided tour on March 9, 2013. For more
   information, visit http://birdathon.houstonaudubon.org/.
   Birdathon 2013 runs from March 1st to May 23rd.
8. 2013 Buffalo Bayou Regatta. 40 YEARS OF RACING ON
   HOUSTON’S BUFFALO BAYOU! The tradition continues! Texas’ largest canoe
   and kayak race: The Buffalo Bayou Regatta. Houstonians (ages 12 and up)
   are encouraged to participate in the 15-mile USCA-sanctioned race along
   the scenic Buffalo Bayou. You can enter the competition or paddle for
   pleasure! The 2013 Buffalo Bayou Regatta will take place on March 16,
   2013, 7:30am-3pm at 7700 San Felipe Street. Entry fee per person is $45;
   $25 per person with student or military i.d. Cheering is free–and fun.
   More at http://www.buffalobayou.org/regattabayou.html.
9. Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation.
   Mayor Annise Parker and Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis will ride along
   with participants in the 2013 Tour de Houston Presented by Apache
   Corporation. Cyclists will line up at Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby,
   Houston 77002, on Sunday, March 17, 2013. The bike ride benefits the
   city’s reforestation efforts, which are managed by the Houston Parks and
   Recreation Department (HPARD). For more details on the bike ride,
   including registration and packet pick-up locations, visit http://www.tourdehouston.org/.
   For more information about HPARD, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/.
10. Alliance for Clean Texas (ACT) Lobby Day. With the
    83rd Texas Legislative Session underway, people are signing up for the
    Alliance for Clean Texas (ACT) Lobby Day. ACT Lobby Day is Wednesday,
    March 20, 2013, at the Capitol. Join environmental, consumer, and public
    health activists from around the state for a day of united legislative
    action in 83rd Legislative Session. On Lobby Day, everyone work together
    to make Texas legislators aware of the important environmental issues
    facing our state and the legislation that addresses these problems. CEC
    member organizations that participate in ACT include Air Alliance
    Houston, Environment Texas, Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra
    Club–Lonestar Chapter, Texas Campaign for the Environment, and The
    Nature Conservancy. Learn more and register at http://www.acttexas.org/.
11. River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash. Once a year
    thousands of volunteers gather along the Texas waterways to do their
    part in cleaning up the environment and participate in the largest
    statewide event to educate the public about the importance of our water
    resources. Trash Bash occurs rain or shine, on March 23, 2013, at
    various locations around the state. Trash Bash is a half day event and
    begins between 8:00/8:30 am in the morning and ends at 1:30 in the
    afternoon. Pick a cleanup
    site near you. To learn more and to register, visit http://www.trashbash.org/index.htm.
12. Kayak Certification Courses. Artist Boat is hosting
    an ACA Level 1 – 3 Coastal Kayaking Course (IDW/ICE) March 9-13, 2013.
    Learn to paddle correctly, perform rescues, maneuver kayaks and learn
    essential kayaking techniques. Upon successful completion participants
    will have an ACA Instructor Certification and professional kayak
    training. For more info, contact Kelly Cloughly at
    kcloughly@artistboat.org or by phone at (409) 770-0722.
13. 9th Annual Wildlife Center of Texas Golf Tournament.
    Join the Wildlife Center of Texas for the 9th Annual Wildlife Center of
    Texas Golf Tournament at the Wildcat Golf Club on March 20, 2013. Make a
    “birdie for a bird” or be an “albatross or double eagle” on a course
    named one of the Top 10 Luxury Courses by Avid Golfer Magazine and help
    save the lives of injured, ill or orphaned native wildlife! The
    tournament has an 8:00 am shotgun start with registration beginning at
    7:00 am. More at http://www.wildlifecenteroftexas.org/.
14. Birdies for the Birds – GCBO Golf Tournament. The
    Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will hold a golf tournament “Birdies for the
    Birds” on Friday, March 22, 2013, at the Wilderness Golf Course in Lake
    Jackson. Individuals and teams encouraged. For details, go to website www.gcbo.org.
15. Public Comment – Transportation Improvement Program Projects.
    A motion was passed by the Transportation Policy Council (TPC) to
    solicit public comment on candidate 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement
    Program (TIP) projects. Approximately $600 million of funding requests
    remain eligible for consideration from applications submitted last
    summer by local governments, METRO, TxDOT and other regional partners. A
    list of candidate projects is available on the H-GAC website at http://www.h-gac.com/taq/tip.
    Following the public comment period, a program of projects will be
    submitted to the TPC for its consideration at its April 26 meeting.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Mayors Challenge: One Bin for All. Deadline: March 6,
   2013. Houston now has the opportunity to win $50,000 in the Mayors
   Challenge Fan Favorite. Houston is one of the 20 national finalists
   chosen by Bloomberg Philanthropies to receive a generous grant to help
   implement One Bin for All. One Bin for All is a revolutionary idea for
   residents to discard all materials in one bin, treating “trash” as
   valuable assets, dramatically increasing recycling using game changing
   technologies. Vote now for One Bin for All in the fan favorite contest
   at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.
2. Photography at Texas State Parks. Snap away just for
   fun or record your best images to enter in the Texas State Parks Photo
   Contest. The Texas State Parks Photo Contest on Flickr will run between
   March 1 and April 30. Prizes include a video camera courtesy of Whole
   Earth Provision Company, a weekend excursion in the Texas state park of
   your choice, or a campout for up to six people in one of the many Texas
   Outdoor Family workshops. Enter at www.texasstateparks.org/photography.
   More info at http://tpwd.state.tx.us/.
3. The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA).
   RTCA helps to connect communities to parks and natural areas by
   assisting local leaders in protecting special places and creating
   close-to-home opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors. RTCA
   works together with local partners to develop and carry out a locally
   led process that encourages developing a common vision, creative
   planning, and collaborative action from all the participants. Do you
   have an idea for how RTCA could help you take action in your community?
   Apply for technical assistance to make it happen. Find your nearest RTCA
   contact, learn more about the RTCA
   program in general, and check out the application.
4. VegOut Houston! In March 2013, Recipe for Success
   Foundation invites every Houstonian to take part in the citywide
   challenge to VegOut! Armed with the support of the Mayor and her Healthy
   Houston Task Force, VegOut! is an official GoHealthyHouston initiative
   that serves as a call to action for all of us to step up to the plate –
   and pile it with veggies! Anyone can visit the site to register, take
   the pledge and prepare to get started. Participants who complete the
   VegOut! 30 Ways in 30 Days Challenge by eating 30 different vegetables
   within 30 days by April 15 are automatically entered into a drawing for
   fabulous prizes that range from Dinner for Two at one of Houston’s
   finest restaurants to a year of fresh produce delivered to your door. http://www.vegoutwithrfs.org/
5. 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 (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This
   week’s broadcast will include:
   • Playing the Turkey Game
   • Lone Star Land Steward: Arroyo Veleno Wildlife Coop
   • Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park
   • 50th Film History
6. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html.
   Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
   • March 5: Green–Good.
     Moderate to strong winds and low incoming background levels should
     help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • March 6: Green–Good.
     Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to
     keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
   • March 7: Green–Good.
     Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to
     keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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ECONOTES Featured News
Articles–For dozens of additional headlines, visit the CEC
website. (You can let us know about articles, too. E-mail news@cechouston.org).

1. Group effort helps native habitat at Terry Hershey Park
   (Flori Meeks – Houston Chronicle, 2/26/2013) The Bayou Preservation
   Association has been working hard to remove invasive species at Terry
   Hershey Park. Common invasive species at Terry Hershey Park include
   Chinese tallow, Chinaberry, Chinese privet, tree and wax-leaf ligustrum,
   nandina, elephant ears and Japanese honeysuckle. Removing the invasive
   species only is part of the job. Teams also plant native plants that
   help provide animal cover and erosion control once the exotics are
   removed. http://www.chron.com/
2. H-GAC to update transportation plan, projects Houston
   population increase of 3.3 million by 2040 (Shawn Arrajj –
   Community Impact Newspaper, 2/22/2013) The initial demographic analysis
   performed by the Houston-Galveston area council as it considers future
   transportation projects indicated that the population in the eight
   county Houston region is likely to increase by 3.3 million by 2040. The
   analysis also found the number of registered vehicles in the state is
   likely to double within that time frame. The growth Houston is facing
   has made mobility planning a critical priority, said Roland Strobel,
   chief transportation planner with H-GAC. http://impactnews.com/
3. Galveston’s Oppe Elementary Writes a Resolution!
   (Guidry News, 2/27/2013) Texas has a state bird, flower, song, small and
   large mammals, fish, shell, tree, insect, plant, fruit, stone, shrub and
   many other symbols, but no official sea turtle! The Fourth Grade Green
   Team at Oppe Elementary in Galveston hopes to solve this problem! Carole
   Allen, Gulf Offices Director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project,
   asked fourth grade teacher Katie Pistone of Oppe Elementary if her
   students would be interested in writing a resolution to make the Kemp’s
   ridley the official sea turtle of the state of Texas. The students were
   excited and got to work researching and writing. http://www.guidrynews.com/

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GREEN JOBS Tell them you
heard about it from us! Job listings can be found at CEC’s
Green Jobs page.

1. NEW! Bayou Preservation Association seeks Water Quality
   Investigator Interns (2 positions). The interns will serve
   as a member of a team to conduct investigative water sampling in
   Houston-area bayous upstream of locations with identified high fecal
   indicator bacteria. For more information see: http://www.bayoupreservation.org/employment.
   Contact: Steve Hupp, Water Quality Director;  shupp@bayoupreservation.org;
   713-529-6443.
2. NEW! The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks full-time
   Volunteer Programs Coordinator. This position serves as
   GBF’s volunteer coordinator responsible for recruiting and training
   volunteers and acknowledging and recognizing volunteer contributions;
   manages GBF’s community-based public programs/events, including Marsh
   Mania, Bay Day, Trash Bash, and Abandoned Crab Trap Removal; arranges
   volunteer opportunities/events for corporate groups, alternative spring
   break groups, and other interested parties; maintains the volunteer
   database; coordinates GBF’s internship programs; and works closely with
   GBF’s development team. Qualifications and abilities should include: a
   Bachelor’s degree (required); related trainings such as CPR/First Aid a
   plus; three or more years of professional experience, preferably with
   project, event, and/or volunteer management; strong interpersonal
   skills; exceptional verbal and written communication skills and
   presentation skills; and comfort (and preferably experience) with field
   work in coastal environments. For a full job description, please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.
   To apply, email cover letter and resume to csmith@galvbay.org
   by March 31, 2013.
3. NEW! Bayou
   Greenways 2020 seeks Grassroots and Digital Coordinator.
   The Bayou Greenways 2020 (BG2020) project aims to create a
   united urban park system like no other in the nation. By developing
   linear parks and trails along all the major bayous that flow
   throughout Houston, BG2020 will add nearly 1,500 acres of additional
   park land to Houston’s inventory. The Grassroots and Digital
   Coordinator will be responsible for developing online and web
   strategies, creating and executing email campaigns, maintaining and
   managing multiple websites, and organizing and coordinating online and
   offline community outreach and grassroots outreach efforts.
   Responsibilities also include managing the organization’s relationship
   with online community influencers, including reaching out to external
   blogs and online communities. To Apply: Cover letter, resume and three
   references should be emailed to: Jen Powis, Advocacy Director at
   jen@houstonparksboard.org.
4. Air Alliance Houston seeks Executive Director. The
   executive director reports to the board of directors. The executive
   director supervises AAH staff and all projects/initiatives. The
   executive director is the main representative of AAH to government,
   industry, the media, partner organizations, other advocates,
   foundations, donors, and the general public. In addition, the executive
   director is responsible for the administration and strategic development
   of AAH. More information, visit http://airalliancehouston.org.
5. Nature Discovery Center Seeks Part-Time
   Volunteer Coordinator. The Nature Discovery Center is seeking
   a part-time Volunteer Coordinator to manage all areas related to
   volunteer work at the Center. The ideal candidate will be adept at
   working with a variety of personalities and styles, technologically
   savvy, and goal-oriented. Additional requirements include sense of humor
   and love of nature. A background in science, education, or conservation
   is helpful though not required. Responsibilities include: recruit,
   interview and place applicants for volunteer work at the Nature
   Discovery Center; conduct and arrange volunteer orientation and
   training, including the Teen Volunteer Summer Program and most special
   events; create and maintain a volunteer database and a system for
   reporting volunteer statistics; and coordinate all volunteer activity
   with staff. For more information about the Volunteer Coordinator
   position, or to apply contact: Sarah Flournoy, Executive Director at
   sflournoy@naturediscoverycenter.org or 713.667.6550.
6. ExxonMobil CSJP seeks Hermann Park Centennial
   Exhibit Research Intern. The intern will participate in
   research and administrative work in preparation for the upcoming
   exhibition to be held at the Julia Ideson Library related to Hermann
   Park’s centennial celebration in 2014. Primary responsibilities include
   carrying out research related to Hermann Park, including historical
   materials, publications, documents, photographs, master plan(s),
   sketches, artworks, etc.; archiving, cataloguing and chronology;
   correspondence and communications (writing letters, e-mails, phone
   contacts, etc.); organizing and filing of documents and research
   materials; maintaining database of objects and materials; preparing
   exhibition materials’ bibliography including materials, sources,
   references; and report writing. Mail, fax or email (no phone calls
   please) cover letter and resume to: Hermann Park Conservancy / Barbara
   Jo L. Harwell, Conservation Director / 6201-A Hermann Park Drive /
   Houston, Texas 77030. Fax: 713-524-5887. barbara_jo@hermannpark.org
7. Shell seeks Hermann Park Reforestation Planning and Volunteer
   Programs Intern. Shell seeks Hermann Park Reforestation
   Planning (90%) and Volunteer Programs (10%) Intern. Primary areas of
   responsibility include: assisting Hermann Park Conservancy’s (HPC)
   Conservation Director with aspects of the continuing development of a
   reforestation plan in Hermann Park, and assisting the HPC volunteer
   coordinator with volunteer project facilitation with regard to tree
   plantings, tree care, park maintenance and other Hermann Park
   improvement projects. Mail, fax or email (no phone calls please) cover
   letter and resume to: Hermann Park Conservancy / Barbara Jo L. Harwell,
   Conservation Director / 6201-A Hermann Park Drive / Houston, Texas
   77030. Fax: 713-524-5887. barbara_jo@hermannpark.org
8. The Student Conservation Association
   (SCA) seeks Summer Crew Leaders. SCA seeks two qualified
   applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students for the
   Houston Summer Crew program. Co-lead, mentor and coach a crew of 12
   students, ages 14-19, while completing various conservation service
   projects designed to build an ethic of community and environmental
   stewardship. Projects include a range of activities such as trail and
   park maintenance, habitat restoration, revitalization of abandoned urban
   properties or to urban agriculture. In addition, leaders will facilitate
   pre- and post- program planning which includes crew training,
   environmental education and reporting. Training is June 3-12 and program
   start date is June 20. To Apply: Please visit the www.thesca.org/employment
   for a detailed description including information on how to apply. For
   questions contact SCA Houston staff at SCAHouston@theSCA.org or call:
   (713) 520-1835.
9. The Environmental Health Service at
   Baylor College of Medicine seeks Project Intern.
   Vacancy#230799SV. Project Intern. The intern will assist the director
   and associate director of the Environmental Health Service with all
   aspects of work, with particular emphasis on implementing professional
   education and clinical service initiatives. Primary responsibilities
   include compiling Healthy Homes-related education materials and locating
   local Healthy Homes programs and services; updating the Service’s
   website; assisting the director and associate director in the
   preparation of presentations for various audiences; and in other ways
   supporting the goals of the EHS professional education and clinical
   service initiatives. The ideal candidate will have excellent
   organizational skills, strong computer and writing skills, and a
   demonstrated interest in environmental health. Hours are flexible,
   approximately 8-12 hours per week. Please submit your cover letter and
   resume to Dr. Rebecca Bruhl, Rebecca.J.Bruhl@bcm.edu.
   Applicants should also submit their information on https://www.medschooljobs.org
   (click on ”search postings”).
10. The Environmental Health Service at
    Baylor College of Medicine seeks Research Coordinator. Vacancy
    #230798SV. Research Coordinator I. The research coordinator will assist
    the Environmental Health Service with expanding its geospatial
    capabilities, developing fee-for-service resources, and supporting
    research and community outreach projects that utilize geospatial mapping
    and/or the secondary databases developed using geospatial methods. The
    successful candidate will have considerable experience with ESRI ArcGIS
    software, as well experience producing effective visual communications,
    managing data, and using basic biostatistical methods. Familiarity with
    Adobe Creative Suite and SAS is a plus, as is experience with Java or
    other programming languages. The candidate should also have good writing
    skills and a demonstrated interest in environmental health. Hours are
    flexible, 10-15 hours per week. Please submit your cover letter and
    resume to Dr. Rebecca Bruhl, Rebecca.J.Bruhl@bcm.edu.
    Applicants should also submit their information on https://www.medschooljobs.org
    (click on ”search postings”)
11. Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership seeks Watershed Director. The
    mission of the Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership is to “improve the
    quality of life in our communities by protecting, enhancing, and
    restoring the ecological integrity and natural benefits of the Armand
    Bayou watershed.” The Watershed Director is responsible for the overall
    administration and management of the Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership,
    including fundraising/grantwriting and business operations. Areas of
    responsibility include planning and evaluation, policy and program
    development and administration, personnel and fiscal management, and
    public relations. This is a full-time position, hired by and directly
    accountable to the Armand Bayou Watershed Council, communicating
    regularly with its elected Council chair. The Watershed Director
    implements policies approved by the Council, manages the organization’s
    programs and operations (including implementation of its Strategic
    Plan), and represents the organization in the community. Cover letter,
    resume, and written answers to the questions below should be submitted
    via e-mail to: linda.shead@sheadconservation.com. The questions are: 1.
    Based on the “Ability to create and foster teams to solve watershed
    problems,” how have you used this skill in the past, and what would you
    do differently in the future? 2. Tell about past experience with outside
    consultants and contractors.
12. Galveston Baykeeper seeks a Baykeeper/Wetland Watch
    Coordinator. Part time position. Galveston Baykeeper, a
    member of the global Waterkeeper Alliance, is a grassroots organization
    committed to preserving and protecting the health of Galveston Bay and
    its watershed for our children, our economy and our future, through
    advocacy and education, and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
    Galveston Baykeeper is particularly focused on wetlands, but all threats
    to the aquatic integrity of the Galveston Bay and bayou system are its
    concern. The Galveston Baykeeper speaks for the Bay, and is the public
    face of the Galveston Baykeeper organization. The Galveston Baykeeper
    keeps abreast of threats to the Bay, and works to mobilize citizens in
    defense of the Bay, through partnerships and direct action. The
    incumbent of this position will also manage the Wetland Watch program, a
    citizen-staffed effort to monitor and report unauthorized fill of
    wetlands in the lower Galveston Bay watershed. The GBK/WWC must have
    excellent people and organizational skills, as well as a real passion
    for our Gulf Coast habitat. Experience in water or natural resource
    areas required. Should have solid computer skills and grant writing
    experience. Send resume and cover letter to John Jacob, GBK Board Chair,
    jingleheimer53@gmail.com.
13. HARC seeks a GIS/Remote Sensing Research Associate.
    HARC is a non-profit research hub located in The Woodlands, TX dedicated
    to performing independent analysis for people and institutions seeking
    scientific answers in support of a sustainable future. HARC’s research
    focuses on clean air, clean water, and clean energy. We are seeking a
    person with an educational background and work experience in GIS,
    Geography, Environmental Science, Biology or related disciplines and
    skills in ArcGIS for Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and other ESRI products.
    Major duties will include creation of digital mapping products for use
    in reports, proposals, websites and presentations; design, creation and
    maintenance of interactive mapping applications for distribution via the
    internet; and quantitative and statistical analyses on geospatial
    datasets. For more information about the position and to upload a
    resume, please visit http://mitchell.harc.edu/.
14. Houston Endowment is seeking a Vice President For Programs.
    The Vice President for Programs works closely with the President to
    develop and implement foundation strategies. The Vice President manages
    the foundation’s day-to-day grantmaking activities in keeping with
    current policies and procedures and coordinates the work of the entire
    program staff to meet the highest standards. The Vice President develops
    and maintains strong relationships with peer foundations and community
    leaders and effectively articulates foundation goals and programs. The
    search for the ideal candidate will remain open until the position is
    filled. Qualified applicants should forward a cover letter and resume
    to: Deborah Bessire, Human Resources Manager, Houston Endowment Inc.,
    600 Travis Street, Suite 6400, Houston, TX 77002;
    dbessire@houstonendowment.org.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

CEC is sharing information during the session about what bills our member groups and readers are tracking. More information is available at cechouston.org/category/texas-legislature/.
As of February 18, 2013, 1204 bills have been filed by the Senate and 2664
bills have been filed by the House. Learn more at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Reports/General.aspx.
Other helpful links:

• Texas Senate Week
  in Review
• Texas House Committee
  Schedules

The following are bills (SB=Senate Bill, HB=House Bill, and HJR=House Joint
Resolution) which may be of interest to the region’s environmental community
and which have been filed in the past week:

• SB 843: Relating to public access to boundary, financial, and tax
  rate information of certain political subdivisions.
• SB 873: Relating to the authority of a groundwater conservation
  district to require a permit for the drilling or operation of a water
  well used to supply water for the performance of a hydraulic fracturing
  treatment on an oil or gas well.
• SB 884: Relating to certain criminal offenses for violations of the
  law regulating metal recycling entities.
• SB 900: Relating to the amounts of the administrative, civil, and
  criminal penalties for violating certain statutes under the jurisdiction
  of, rules or orders adopted by, or licenses, permits, or certificates
  issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
• SB 901: Relating to safety standards and practices applicable to the
  transportation by pipeline of certain substances.
• SB 923: Relating to the creation and funding of the state water plan
  fund to assist the Texas Water Development Board in the funding of
  certain projects included in the state water plan; imposing a fee and a
  surcharge.
• SB 933: Relating to the allocation of the proceeds from taxes
  imposed on the sale, storage, or use of sporting goods.
• SB 941: Relating to the adoption of rules by the Railroad Commission
  of Texas regulating the exploration for and production of natural gas in
  the unincorporated areas of certain counties.
• SB 957: Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission
  on Environmental Quality on applications for certain environmental
  permits and administrative and judicial review of the commission’s
  action.
• SB 958: Relating to the liability of certain special-purpose
  districts or authorities providing water to a purchaser for the
  generation of electricity.
• SB 964: Relating to the appropriation of amounts deposited into the
  oyster sales account and the abolishment of the oyster advisory
  committee.
• SB 993: Relating to the creation of the Texas Nonprofit Council to
  assist with faith- and community-based initiatives.
• SB 1030: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of energy
  storage systems used for the control of air pollution in a nonattainment
  area.
• SB 1031: Relating to the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District;
  providing authority to impose a fee.
• SB 1039: Relating to the report by the Water Conservation Advisory
  Council on progress made in water conservation in this state.
• HB 1443: Relating to the dedication of certain unclaimed lottery
  prize money to fund the repair, restoration, and permanent dry berth of
  the Battleship “Texas.”
• HB 1456: Relating to the right of a county to intervene in an
  original rate proceeding.
• HB 1457: Relating to expenses considered to determine net income for
  purposes of a rate proceeding for an investor-owned water and sewer
  utility.
• HB 1460: Relating to the use of land and water for wildlife
  management.
• HB 1461: Relating to customer notification of significant water loss
  by a retail public utility.
• HB 1473: Relating to water quality improvement and pollution
  reduction through beverage container recycling incentives; assessing a
  fee; providing penalties.
• HB 1490: Relating to collection and use of municipal solid waste
  fees.
• HB 1496: Relating to governmental actions affecting private property
  rights in certain oil and gas wells.
• HB 1509: Relating to the enforcement of water conservation and
  animal care and control ordinances of a municipality by civil action or
  quasi-judicial enforcement; providing civil penalties.
• HB 1516: Relating to solid waste services for rental property and
  solid waste management programs in certain counties; providing a civil
  penalty.
• HB 1535: Relating to the permitting of certain small commercial
  development sewage collection, treatment, and disposal systems as
  on-site sewage disposal systems.
• HB 1537: Relating to building code standards for new residential
  construction in the unincorporated area of a county.
• HB 1547: Relating to the power of the North Fort Bend Water
  Authority to impose a charge on certain wells or classes of wells.
• HB 1554: Relating to the authority of a municipality to file a lien
  for the costs of abatement of a floodplain ordinance violation.
• HB 1570: Relating to the determination of the amount of energy
  available for sale from a clean energy project to a wholesale power
  purchaser.
• HB 1584: Relating to the sale, storage, transportation, and disposal
  of scrap or used tires; providing a civil penalty; creating an offense.
• HB 1590: Relating to an exemption from certain municipal and county
  solid waste disposal service requirements.
• HB 1600: Relating to the continuation and functions of the Public
  Utility Commission of Texas, to the transfer of certain functions from
  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas, and to the functions of the Office of Public
  Utility Counsel; authorizing a fee.
• HB 1614: Relating to the management, breeding, and destruction of
  deer and to procedures regarding certain deer permits.
• HB 1627: Relating to the allocation of revenue derived from state
  gasoline and special fuels taxes.
• HB 1642: Relating to the Port of Houston Authority; creating an
  offense.
• HB 1652: Relating to liability of an owner, lessee, or occupant of
  land that allows land to be used as a community garden.
• HB 1653: Relating to the operations of the Texas Low-Level
  Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact waste disposal facility.
• HB 1663: Relating to timing and frequency with which a public
  utility may file for a rate change application.
• HB 1694: Relating to a prohibition on the disposal of certain used
  equipment at a municipal solid waste facility; creating an offense.
• HB 1712: Relating to exemptions from property taxation and sales and
  use taxation for certain offshore spill response and well containment
  property used to control pollution.
• HB 1714: Relating to the discontinuance of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality’s compliance history program.
• HB 1736: Relating to an exemption from property taxation for certain
  facilities that convert landfill generated methane into renewable
  natural gas.
• HB 1776: Relating to the definition of “drought” for the purposes of
  emergency orders concerning water rights issued by the executive
  director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• HB 1796: Relating to the renewal or amendment of permits issued by
  groundwater conservation districts; providing authority to impose fees.
• HB 1797: Relating to the authority to regulate certain water and
  sewage utilities to ensure public safety in and around certain
  municipalities.
• HB 1824: Relating to the operation of master mixed-use property
  owners’ associations.
• HB 1825: Relating to the sale or transportation of certain desert
  plants; creating an offense; providing a penalty.
• HB 1854: Relating to the appropriation of money from the economic
  stabilization fund to be used for upgrading fixtures and materials in
  state buildings to maximize energy and water conservation.
• HB 1858: Relating to a property owner’s right to remove a tree or
  vegetation that the owner believes poses a fire risk.
• HB 1863: Relating to the amounts of the administrative, civil, and
  criminal penalties for violating certain statutes under the jurisdiction
  of, rules or orders adopted by, or licenses, permits, or certificates
  issued by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
• HB 1873: Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain
  landfills.
• HB 1883: Relating to the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District;
  providing authority to impose a fee.
• HB 1897: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of
  pollution control property.
• (Additional bills will be included next week.)

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UPCOMING EVENTS If you
attend one of these events, please let them know you heard about it here!
Visit the new calendar at cechouston.org.

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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION This weekly update is brought
to you by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, established as a 501(c)3 in
1971. CEC is a coalition of over 100 environmental organizations dedicated
to fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues
in the Houston / Gulf Coast region. Visit the CEC on line at cechouston.org.
Do you know of something great going on? News? Events? Accomplishments?
Jobs? Let us know! Send submittals to news@cechouston.org.
If possible, send information by Friday for inclusion the following Tuesday.
We especially like short paragraphs, catchy titles, third person, and links
to more information, but we will work with whatever you send us. Calendar
items can be submitted up to two years in advance. We are always looking for
volunteers to help keep our calendar up to date.

CEC and other leading environmental organizations participate in payroll
contribution plans at many Texas workplaces through Earth Share of Texas.
Find out how you can support CEC at 800-GREENTX or www.earthshare-texas.org.

CEC agencies receive donations when you choose Green Bank. Visit www.greenbank.com
for more information about the program.

Shawn McFarland, Interim Executive Director
Rachel Powers, Volunteer Managing Editor
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
Rachel Tardiff, Calendar Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org

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