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March 14, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update March 13, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. Visions for a Greener Houston: A Huge Success!
  2. Back on schedule next week.

COALITION NOTES

  1. Buffalo Bayou Partnership at the OKRA Charity Saloon
  2. Mixers on the Map
  3. Birdathon Brouhaha: Celebrate the Kickoff
  4. 2013 Buffalo Bayou Regatta
  5. Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation
  6. Public Comment – Transportation Improvement Program Projects
  7. Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Your House
  8. Alliance for Clean Texas (ACT) Lobby Day
  9. Texas Stream Team Certified Water Monitoring Training
  10. March Mart
  11. Fresh Air Friday
  12. River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash
  13. Earth Day GreenUp
  14. 9th Annual Wildlife Center of Texas Golf Tournament
  15. Birdies for the Birds – GCBO Golf Tournament

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Sustainable Living Fest – Houtopia
  2. Bayou Greenway Initiative
  3. Garden Dialogues: Houston
  4. New Houston Air Quality Website
  5. Tx Bottle Bill
  6. Photography at Texas State Parks
  7. Marsha Hill Classic Golf Tournament
  8. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  9. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Houston’s Plan To Make Landfills Extinct (Co.EXIST, 3/4/2013)
  2. Houston can tranform utility easements into greenways – Opinion (Houston Chronicle, 3/1/2013)
  3. 2013 Healthy Communities Indicators Symposium (Guidry News, 3/7/2013)

GREEN JOBS

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

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

Visions for a Greener Houston

Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, facilitated, promoted, or otherwise helped make our event on Tuesday such a big success. We’ll have a summary report available soon.CEC Visions for a Greener Houston logo

We are sending the newsletter out late this week (since we were busy with the event), but we’ll be back on schedule next week.

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COALITION NOTES

(Why would you ever think March is a busy month for environmental organizations in Houston?)

  1.  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.
  2. 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/
  3. 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 for this year’s Birdathon. See the sanctuary, enjoy local brews, eye up the competition, and promote conservation. For more information, visit http://birdathon.houstonaudubon.org/. Birdathon 2013 runs from March 1st to May 23rd.
  4. 2013 Buffalo Bayou Regatta. 40 YEARS OF RACING ON HOUSTON’S BUFFALO BAYOU! 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.
  5. 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. 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/.
  6. Public Comment – Transportation Improvement Program Projects. The region’s Transportation Policy Council (TPC) is soliciting 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. Projects range from pedestrian and bicycle projects in Houston’s uptown area and over a dozen other locations, road striping, highway improvements, land acquisition, bus service, park and ride facilities, and planning projects. Two public comment meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at noon and at 6:00 pm at H-GAC offices. Comments are due by April 6, 2013, and may be to publiccomments@h-gac.com. Following the public comment period, a program of projects will be submitted to the TPC for its consideration at its April 26 meeting.
  7. Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Your House. Going Green Sustainability Lecture Presented by The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. on March 19, 2013, 7-8pm, at the South Regional County Library. The speaker, Ronald Keichline, Global Sustainability Coordinator, will be presenting “Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Your House.” Much of the attention for “green” homes is focused on new construction – from innovative building materials and advanced architectural designs to high-tech gad­gets and next-generation Energy Star appliances, these shiny new homes get all the attention. But what about the rest of us, living in homes that were built long before these practices became more common? What can we do to improve them? There is hope! Studies suggest that improving energy effi­ciency of existing buildings can have a better overall life cycle impact than starting over. And it’s much less expensive! But there are also challenges and trade-offs to be considered. More at http://www.thewoodlandsgreen.org/. This is a free event.
  8. 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, March 20, 2013, at the Capitol. 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/.
  9. Texas Stream Team Certified Water Monitoring Training. Come to the first training session of the year and become a Texas Stream Team Certified member of Galveston Bay Foundation’s Volunteer Water Monitoring Team. At this training session, participants will learn about the history and importance of citizen monitoring and complete the first two of three phases of the certification. All three phases are very hands-on. Phase I is held in a classroom group setting, Phase II provides the group an opportunity to conduct the monitoring procedures in the field, and Phase III is conducted as a one-on-one session with the trainer and volunteer at the volunteer’s monitoring site. This training will take place at the Starfleet Marina in Kemah, TX on March 22, 2013, from 9am-4pm. The training is FREE! You must register by March 19th; space is limited. To register or for more information contact the Water Quality Team at waterquality@galvbay.org or (281) 332-3381 Ext. 215.
  10. March Mart. March Mart is brought to you by volunteers at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and The Mercer Society; this is the place to find all your year-round garden plants. Visit Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens on March 22, 2013, 8am-4pm for this sale! Special treats also entice the discerning plant collector! Whether you are new to gardening, new to the Houston area, or very experienced there is a new treasure awaiting the perfect spot in your heart and garden. Knowledgeable volunteers will inspire you with their amazing plant options. The Members Only Plant Sale is Thursday, March 21; please call 281-443-8731 for details. http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/
  11. Fresh Air Friday. H-GAC is helping commuters get more out of their day at Fresh Air Friday, an annual event that explores the variety of commute alternatives available to help save time and money. H-GAC and other local organizations will share tips on commute alternatives, showcase hybrid vehicles and share information on how to improve air quality. Local food vendors will provide free food and drinks to attendees throughout the Plaza. Fresh Air Friday will also feature giveaways throughout the afternoon and the official healthcare sponsor, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, will provide free health screenings for attendees. Come to Jones Plaza on March 22, 2013, 11am-1pm for Fresh Air Friday! http://cechouston.org/
  12. 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.
  13. Earth Day GreenUp. Earth Day 2013 marks the third annual community-wide stewardship project for The Woodlands Township. Connect with neighbors and the outdoors by joining or leading a cleanup crew bagging trash from streets, pathways and streams. You gather your friends, and they provide the bags! Earth Day GreenUp will take place on March 23, 2013 from 8am-2pm in The Woodlands. More at http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ and http://www.thewoodlandsgreen.org/.
  14. 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 and help save the lives of injured, ill or orphaned native wildlife! More at http://www.wildlifecenteroftexas.org/.
  15. 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.
  16. Public Comment – Transportation Improvement Program Projects. A motion was passed by the region’s 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. Comments are due by April 6, 2013. 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. Sustainable Living Fest – Houtopia. Prepare to take a journey to a place that highlights all that makes Houston a great place to live, work and play. Come out and taste, touch, hear and experience your way through beautiful Market Square Park at the 2013 Sustainable Living Fest! Enjoy the best local eats, amazing local talent, interactive demonstrations, recycled art workshops, eco-games and lots of activities for kids of all ages, a farmers market and back-to-back main stage entertainment. The Sustainable Living Fest will be held on March 16, 2013 from 12-6pm. More at http://www.sustainablelivingfest.com/.
  2. Bayou Greenway Initiative. Two consultation firms conducting a study concerning the implementation of the Cypress Creek Greenway have called for community feedback from residents and local officials. CDS Spillette Alliance—an urban consulting and market research group—and Marsh Darcy Partners—a real estate and planning firm—have produced a survey to gather feedback, and they will host three open houses in March for further input from the community. The open houses will be from 6:30-8:30pm on March 19, 2013, at Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church (13131 Fry Road, Cypress), on March 21, 2013, at Cypress Creek Christian Church (6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring), and on March 26, 2013, at Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble). More at http://impactnews.com/.
  3. Garden Dialogues: Houston. On March 23, 2013, the public can get exclusive access to private gardens in Houston and hear directly from the designers and their clients about their collaborative process. How do clients and designers work together? What makes for a great, enduring collaboration? Garden Dialogues provides unique opportunities for small groups to visit some of today’s most beautiful gardens created by some of the most accomplished designers currently in practice. There will be two presentations on March 23. Keiji Asakura of Asakura Robinson Company will show the gardens of The Weber Estate in Magnolia, TX from 10:30am-12pm. Cedar Baldridge of Baldridge Landscape, Stephen Fox of Architectural Historian, and Dillon Kyle AIA will show the Meredith Long Gallery in Houston from 1:30-3pm. Learn more and register at http://tclf.org/. Tickets are $35 for presentation.
  4. New Houston Air Quality Website. A new website has been developed that focuses on Houston’s air quality and shows the improvement Houston’s air has made over the past decade. The website provides accurate data and information about Houston’s air quality in an easy to understand format, resources to learn more, and offers the option to receive a brief weekly newsletter on a timely air quality topic. It is accompanied by a Facebook page that provides an historical timeline of developments in air quality regulation, trends, and other issues. The Facebook page will also feature links to news stories of interest, air quality events, and related issues. Visit the website at http://www.houstonairquality.com/. If you have any questions about the website, please use the Contact form on the site or email Elizabeth Hendler at info@houstonairquality.com. (But don’t forget the website of CEC member group www.airalliancehouston.org.)
  5. Tx Bottle Bill. Sen. Ellis of Houston and Rep. Rodriguez of Austin filed SB 645 and HB 1473, respectively, relating to water quality improvement and pollution reduction through beverage container recycling incentives has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Environmental Regulations Committee. For both committees click here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/. The next step is a committee hearing. Learn more at www.texasbottlebill.com or FB http://www.facebook.com/Texas.Bottle.Bill.
  6. 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/.
  7. Marsha Hill Classic Golf Tournament. The third annual Marsha Hill Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 at the Clear Creek Golf Course in Tom Bass Park. Proceeds will go to the Marsha Hill Memorial Scholarship Program to help fund the education of deserving students in the area studying environmental science or a related topic. Marsha was a Rice University grad, longtime employee of the TCEQ and its predecessor agencies, and a dedicated environmental advocate. Golfers, sponsors and volunteers are needed. Please see www.marshahillclassic.org for information and registration.
  8. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
    • Secrets of a Barrier Island
    • Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
    • The International Pursuit – Carp
    • 50th Film History
  9. 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 14: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Incoming background levels may be high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
    • March 13: Green–Good. Moderate winds and decreasing background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • March 14: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low 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. Houston’s Plan To Make Landfills Extinct (Co.EXIST, 3/4/2013)
    To increase the city’s dismal recycling rates, Houston’s government is trying something else: One Bin for All. It will collect all trash together in one bin and then convert it to biofuel.
    http://www.fastcoexist.com/
  2. Houston can tranform utility easements into greenways – Opinion (Houston Chronicle, 3/1/2013)
    As the city and private donors pour hundreds of millions into rejuvenating and connecting Houston’s bicycle paths, transmission-line easements could serve as the missing north-south piece to criss the bayou greenways that cross Houston east-west, linking them all together in a single network. Houston is spending money and effort to transform our bayous into gorgeous park space, but it would be for nothing if folks can’t get there.
    http://www.chron.com/
  3. 2013 Healthy Communities Indicators Symposium (Guidry News, 3/7/2013)
    Nearly 300 of Houston’s healthcare professionals and advocates gathered at the George R. Brown Convention Center for the 2013 Healthy Communities Indicators Symposium presented by Center for Houston’s Future, The Region’s Think Tank. Houston’s ability to be globally competitive depends, in large part, on how the region addresses its numerous health challenges, from obesity to air pollution, identified in Center for Houston’s Future’s 2013 Healthy Communities Indicator Report.
    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! The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks a part-time Grants Billing Specialist. This position fulfills reimbursement billing duties related to GBF’s government grants as a member of our Administrative Team. The Grants Billing Specialist will prepare reimbursement billings in accordance with the schedule, formats, and content required by each granting agency; submit reimbursement billings to appropriate contacts at each granting agency and maintain correspondence to ensure timely receipt of reimbursement; and coordinate with Accounting Manager on other administrative functions. Qualifications and abilities should include a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, received or in progress (may also consider non-degreed candidate with a minimum of 3 years bookkeeping experience); QuickBooks financial software experience preferred, but not required; and a detail-oriented work style with a focus on efficiency and accuracy. For a full job description, please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs. To apply, email cover letter and resume to jtownsend@galvbay.org by March 30, 2013.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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.
  10. 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”).
  11. 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”)
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  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.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Monday, March 18, 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.

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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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