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Houston Environmental News Update March 5, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update March 5, 2013


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


CEC NOTES

 

CEC Visions for a Greener Houston logo

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.

 

Purpose
  • To identify attainable goals for several broad environmental areas
    and where we hope to see our community in a year.
  • To produce a working document that summarizes these group goals,
    capturing the essence of this collaboration, and to share this
    vision with local governments and the community at large.

As part of the CEC’s outreach initiative, we are hosting a
short-term goal setting and visioning activity.  This continues our
effort to foster dialogue and enhance communication and
collaboration among our member groups, for the betterment of our
community as a whole.

Keynote Speaker – TEDxHouston 2010 speaker – Dan Phillips
(Phoenix Commotion)
. Discussion leaders will include
Larry Soward (Air Alliance Houston), Jim Lester (HARC), Jen Powis
(Houston Parks Board), Jaime Gonzalez (Katy Prairie Conservancy), David
Crossley (Houston Tomorrow), Scott Jones (Galveston Bay Foundation),
Peter Brown (Better Houston), Jim Blackburn (Blackburn and Carter),
Tyson Sowell (Texas Campaign for the Environment), Matt Buckingham
(Bayou Land Conservancy), Steve Stelzer (Green Resource Center)
and other CEC member group representatives.  More
details coming soon.

Click here to register.
$25 per person.

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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

Texas StarCEC 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:

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.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

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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.

Donate Now!

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.
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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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