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February 18, 2014

Houston Environmental News Update February 18, 2014

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Houston Environmental News Update February 18, 2014

COALITION NOTES

  1. Houston Green Film Series: Story of Stuff Film Festival. The Houston Green Film Series will continue on February 19, 2014, from 6:30-9:30pm at the Rice Media Center. Transition Houston and partners in the Houston Green Film Series will screen four of Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff videos interleaved with conversations between Steve Stelzer and experts about the topics presented. According to the Story of Stuff website, “We have a problem with Stuff. We use too much, too much of it is toxic and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be. Together, we can build a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division.” A light dinner will be served, courtesy of Dr. Pat Speck and Dry Bones Cafe. The film is free to the public, though donations are suggested and kindly appreciated. Learn more at www.facebook.com.
  2. Call of the Wild Speaker Series: Dr. George Archibald. Dr. George Archibald co-founded the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in the spring of 1973, as the world center for the study and preservation of cranes. Today he continues to advance ICF’s mission in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Cuba, China, India, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, South Korea and Russia. Join the Houston Zoo as Dr. Archibald migrates through Houston on his way to Port Aransas, Texas, home to the annual Whooping Crane Festival. The event will be held on February 19, 2014, 6:30-8:30pm at the Brown Education Center. Register at www.houstonzoo.org.
  3. Mandell Park Groundbreaking. Friends of Mandell Park will officially break ground on the renovation of Mandell Park on February 20, 2014, at 11am. City officials, including Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Turner, are scheduled to speak at the ceremony. The 1.2-acre site of Mandell Park, located on the southeast corner of Richmond Avenue and Mandell Street, was not originally intended to be a city park. The half commercial/half residential property was purchased by the City of Houston in the 1980s to build a library. However, when a nearby building became available for the library, the plans were scrapped, and the abandoned corner became a dumping ground. Neighborhood citizens started a city-wide community organic garden, known as Meredith Gardens, on the suitable portion of the land. Through their persistence, the property was transferred to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department in 2004 and subsequently cleared of all debris. With no city money to make further improvements, an ever-broadening group of concerned citizens mobilized to form Friends of Mandell Park to create an urban green space that would feature the Meredith Gardens. A master plan was developed by the landscape architecture firm Asakura Robinson, winner of a design competition for the park. When completed by fall 2014, the park will include an expanded organic community garden with handicap accessible, raised planting beds; a state-of-the-art compost station; and a meadow bordered by a curving seat wall and tree-lined walkway. Additionally, the park will maintain its pocket prairie, a project of Katy Prairie Conservancy and Houston Audubon Society. The public is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at Mandell Park, 1501 Richmond Ave. The event should last approximately 30 minutes. www.friendsofmandellpark.org
  4. Houston Wilderness Annual Luncheon. The Houston Wilderness Annual Luncheon will be held on February 20, 2014, at the River Oaks Country Club from 11:30am-1pm. This luncheon has always been an outstanding and very well attended event, and this year the event will include the presentation of the inaugural Houston Wilderness Wild Life Award. Houston Wilderness has developed this award to honor those who make significant contributions to protecting, preserving and raising awareness of the 10 precious ecoregions in the 24-county Greater Houston region. In the same collaborative spirit, Houston Wilderness works throughout the region with a broad-based alliance of business, environmental and government interests to convene a range of stakeholder groups to promote, protect and preserve the biodiversity in the 10 ecoregions; provide collaborative problem-solving opportunities on critical environmental issues; and educate the public on the many exciting outdoor opportunities in the Greater Houston Region and the health benefits associated with nature. These efforts yield decreased repetitive flooding, improved water quality, increased ecotourism and overall economic growth for our region. Learn more about the luncheon here.
  5. Bike Friendly – Region, Communities and Businesses. On Friday, February 21, 2014, the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a bike friendly workshop and breakfast at the Westin Memorial City from 8:30am-12pm. Bike Friendly – Region, Communities and Businesses will feature presentations by prominent local and national experts with encouraging information about becoming more bike friendly within our region. This half-day event will be a collaborative forum for those interested in approaches to providing a more bike friendly environment. Local governments, transportation agencies, community leaders and area businesses, as well as elected and appointed officials are invited to learn about how our region can continue to grow, while enhancing a high quality of life for our residents through bike accessibility. A dynamic group of speakers will be led by Bill Nesper, Vice President of Programs for the League of American Bicyclists. Mr. Nesper directs the Bicycle Friendly America program with a particular focus on growing the program as a tool for new communities, businesses and universities. Learn more and register here.
  6. Volunteer for Annual Abandoned Crab Trap Removal. Each year, Texas Parks and Wildlife announces a 10-day period of time when good samaritans may legally collect and properly dispose of abandoned crab traps in Galveston Bay. Crab traps left in the bay after crabbing season can endanger important wildlife like the diamondback terrapin, entangle other wildlife, or get tangled up in boat propellers. On February 22, 2014, the Galveston Bay Foundation will host a crab trap removal and disposal site at Fort Anahuac Park. GBF is now recruiting volunteers, airboats, kayaks, and other small flat-bottom boats to assist with this vital project. To learn more and to sign up to volunteer, visit galvbay.org.
  7. Guided Canoe Tour of Armand Bayou. Come along on a morning of education and adventure paddling canoes on a guided tour down the backwaters of Armand Bayou. Meet at Bay Area Park for a leisurely morning of wildlife watching, wetland education, relaxation, and fun. Observe numerous birds, reptiles, deer, and other residents who are starting their day at the water’s edge. Travel approximately 2-3 miles round trip. Beginning and experienced canoers are welcomed. Armand Bayou Nature Center’s knowledgeable guides will give a brief orientation. Life jackets are provided. These tours are held monthly on the fourth Saturday. The next tour will be held on February 22, 2014, 8-11am. The cost is $25. Reservations by phone or in person required. Call 281-474-2551.
  8. Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom Workshop. Teachers and parents are invited to join Urban Harvest for a two-hour workshop to discover how the Outdoor Classroom can become an exciting educational tool that you can use throughout the school year. Explore the basics of using a school garden while supporting TEKS objectives with garden lessons that will not only make learning memorable, but tasty too! The workshop will be held on February 22, 2014, from 9-11am, at Ridgecrest Elementary. The cost is $24 members ($36 for non-members). The instructor, Sherry Cruse, has been an Urban Harvest Garden Educator since 2007 and has volunteered as a children’s docent at Mercer Arboretum. As a Texas Master Gardener, she has participated in extensive field work including gathering local species for the Millennium Seed Bank and tracking endangered species populations. Sherry is a frequent speaker on gardening issues and also teaches floral design. Find more details at http://urbanharvest.org.
  9. Collaborative Access Event: The Lone Star Coastal Exchange. The next Collaborative Access Event will be held at 10am on February 27, 2014, at the Houston Wilderness Conference Room, and the topic is The Lone Star Coastal Exchange. The Lone Star Coastal Exchange is proposed by the SSPEED Center at Rice University as a landscape-scale, non-structural hurricane surge mitigation strategy for Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston and Chambers Counties. The LSCE proposes a web-based transaction platform to connect buyers and sellers of ecological services. The goal of the LSCE is to create an ecologically-based economy will allow private landowners to realize income from creation and restoration of native ecological systems that are productive and resilient to surge flooding. If successful, this effort could redefine private land conservation efforts in Texas. Learn more at http://houstonwilderness.org.
  10. Zoo Beats at Whole Foods Market Kirby. On the last Thursday of every month, Whole Foods will be donating all of the proceeds from bar sales at their Kirby location to benefit the Houston Zoo’s conservation efforts! Come out to the Kirby Whole Foods bar this Thursday to learn how the Houston Zoo is saving animals in the wild all over the world. Join everyone this month on February 27, 2014, 6-8pm.
  11. Oiled Wildlife Response Training. The Wildlife Center of Texas will be providing an oiled wildlife response training workshop on February 28, 2014, from 9am-4pm, at the Natural Resource Center – Room 1003 (6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX). The purpose of the workshop is to certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation’s role in Incident Command System, and actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. Lunch will be provided. More at www.wildlifecenteroftexas.org.
  12. NatureFest 2014. Visit Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center on March 1, 2014, from 9am-3:30pm for NatureFest 2014! Enjoy a fun, educational day as noted speakers discuss birds, reptiles, the Spring Creek Greenway project, and more. Take a guided nature walk and pontoon boat tour, see and touch live animals, play games, make crafts, and learn more about other nature-related topics by visiting educational booths and viewing interactive demonstrations. NatureFest is a fast-growing favorite among festival goers! Learn more at www.hcp4.net.
  13. Design the Prize. The Rice Design Alliance invites Houston-area architecture students and young design professionals to design and fabricate the prize that will be awarded to SPOTLIGHT winners for the next five years. Students at the Rice School of Architecture, the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston, the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University, and design professionals residing in the Houston area who graduated from an accredited program since 2000 may submit digital conceptual drawings and descriptions of their three-dimensional object January 27 through March 17, 2014. The competition will occur in two phases: design and production. Evaluated by a seven-member RDA competition jury, these phases will proceed according to the following schedule: Call for entries: January 31; Deadline: March 17; Announcement of semi-finalists: April 4; Deadline for semi-finalists to submit prototype: May 19; Announcement of winner: May 30; Deadline for winner to complete and deliver first award: August 8. The remaining four awards must then be delivered to RDA in Anderson Hall at Rice University by January 31, 2015. Learn more here.
  14. 2014 Arbor Day Award Nominations. Trees For Houston is asking for you to help them honor Houstonians who have demonstrated their commitment to planting, protecting, and promoting trees. Nominate people, businesses, community groups, governmental agencies, and foundations whose exceptional contributions in the last year have made Houston a greener city. Winners will be recognized at the thirteenth annual Arbor Day Awards. Nominations can be based upon donations, planting projects, and preservation work. Please be specific. Include the number of trees, where they were planted, how funds were raised, what plant protected trees, and what programs were adopted. Please send photographs. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2014. Please fax (713-840-8734), email (katherine@treesforhouston.org), or mail (Post Office Box 270477 Houston, Texas 77277) nominations to Katherine Bravo, Trees for Houston. More at www.treesforhouston.org.
  15. Walk for the Woods Project – Save the Date! The 3rd Annual Walk for the Woods Project will be held on April 5, 2014, at 10am at Neighborhood Centers, Inc – Ripley House. Walk for the woods is a 5K walk that will take you on a journey through Houston’s historic East End, where many of The Woods Project’s students live and play. This walk raises money for The Woods Project, which is an organization that seeks to develop leadership capacity and life skills in low income youth through a series of outdoor education/environmental awareness programs at wilderness sites in the United States. Save the date for this great event and learn more at www.thewoodsproject.org.
  16. Rice Design Alliance Summer Study Tour of Santiago, Chile. Join RDA June 8-14, 2014 as members travel south to take in the architecture of Santiago, Chile. Rice School of Architecture Professor Carlos Jiménez and noted architectural historian Stephen Fox will be the guides for a one-week journey to the country’s capital and cultural, political, and financial center, as well as nearby Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Please visit ricedesignalliance.org to read more.
  17. The Energy Corridor District Traffic Mobility Survey. The Energy Corridor District needs to hear your opinions on traffic mobility in West Houston. Help steer the future of commuting by taking an important Energy Corridor Commuter Survey. This is more than a survey. Your responses will serve as a tool for The Energy Corridor District to advocate for new programs, services and funds that can improve ways we get around The Energy Corridor and West Houston. Survey results will also be used to determine how The Energy Corridor District’s funds and resources dedicated for transportation projects will be utilized. Learn more here.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Free Market Solutions to Climate Change. University of Houston Law Center and UH Energy co-present Free Market Solutions to Climate Change by Bob Inglis on February 20, 2014, from 6-7:30pm, at the University of Houston. Bob Inglis is the Executive Director of the Energy and Enterprise Initiative at George Mason University. He travels the country engaging conservative/business audiences on energy policy issues. The event is free!! Please RSVP at www.eventbrite.com. For more information please email uhenergy@uh.edu or call 713-743-6100.
  2. Telluride Mountainfilm Festival. The most inspiring and thought provoking film festival on earth is returning to Houston for two days, starting on February 21, 2014. This festival is a life changing ideas summit and social gathering. Come out for two amazing evenings filled with the best documentaries, powerful short films, avant-garde animation, adrenaline films, guest filmmakers, and expert panelists. The festival will be held at the Asia Society Texas Center in the Museum District. Learn more at www.mountainfilm.org. Each night will feature its own unique film program. Find a schedule of events here, and purchase tickets here. Tickets include complimentary wine, beer, and beverages. Dinner fare from Shade and Canopy are available at 5:30 and at intermission for an additional fee. Seating is limited so purchase tickets today!
  3. Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center Photo Contest. Are there any people out there that love taking pictures??? Send in your photos to the Nature Center’s first photo contest! Participants must submit two photos: One photo of a Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center sign (digital submisssion); and one photo for entry into the contest (submitted via email AND regular mail). Email the photos to nature.center@mctx.org, and mail them to Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center/Photo Contest Submission/1300 Riley Fuzzel Rd/Spring, TX 77386. Photos must be postmarked by February 28, 2014. Only one submission per person. Both digital and film process accepted. Voting will take place on Facebook and in person at the Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center from March 1, 2014 through March 12, 2014. If you have any questions, call 281-364-4225.
  4. AgriLife Extension Urban Farmer Lecture Series. The Urban Farmer Lecture Series of Harris County AgriLife Extension is an in-depth training opportunity designed to strengthen the knowledge of those operating a small agricultural business in an urban setting. This lecture series will apply to those operating on several hundred acres down to those operating on a few hundred square feet. Whether you are brand new to farming or have many years behind you or if you simply have an interest in farming; this lecture series will give you over 30 hours of valuable education on all aspects of farming, small animal production, and marketing your products. Topics include soil building and fertilization, goat production & management, food laws/organic vs. sustainable, aquaponics/hydroponics, small scale vegetable production, marketing for your products, garden weeds/IPM, fruit & nut production, and backyard poultry production. The fee for the workshop series is $250 per individual; 375 per couple. Tuition covers all meals, resource books, handouts, reference materials, and guest lecture transportation costs. The series will begin on March 4, 2014, and will continue on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30pm through April 15, 2014. For more information and to register, call Diana at 281-855-5614. The series will be limited to the first 30 participants, so don’t hesitate to register!
  5. Water Conservation and Reuse Projects in the Age of SWIFT: New Funds and New Priorities – In Austin. There are many challenges and opportunities associated with funding water conservation projects using revenue bonds financed by the newly-created State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT). H.B. 4, which created SWIFT, includes a requirement that 20% of the $2 billion fund be spent on “conservation and reuse” projects in the state water plan. This workshop will feature experts on water law and policy who can explain the questions and challenges associated with implementing the 20% requirement. Speakers will also focus on the most important opportunities presented by the new funding. The workshop will be held on February 21, 2014, at The University of Texas School of Law in Austin. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Gena Dawson at gdawson@law.utexas.edu or 512-475-9328. More at www.utexas.edu.
  6. Emissions Banking and Trading Stakeholder Group Meetings. Emissions Banking and Trading Stakeholder Group meetings have been scheduled to discuss and seek stakeholder input on issues for consideration during upcoming revisions to the Emissions Banking and Trading rules in Chapter 101, Subchapter H, Division 1, Division 3, Division 4, and Division 6. The goal of the group is to seek stakeholder input on issues related to the Emissions Banking and Trading Programs in 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 101, Subchapter H. The stakeholder group is open to the public and anyone interested may attend these meetings. There will be three meetings in the Houston area. Two will be held on March 3, 2014, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm, and the third will be held on March 4, 2014, from 9-11am. These meetings will be held at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A (3555 Timmons, Suite 120). Find out more at www.tceq.texas.gov.
  7. 5th Annual Texas Green Home & Living Show. With the theme, “Water Matters” set for the 5th Home & Living Show, event organizers have booked LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED AP, who is one of the nation’s top green building professionals and a Texas pioneer of energy-efficient green home design that strives for sustainability to keynote the show on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the San Marcos Activity Center at 11am. The 5th Annual Texas Green Home & Living Show will bring together hundreds of homeowners and business people for a great day of exhibits, speakers and demonstrations focused on providing all participants with many tools and resources to help them move toward a cleaner and greener future. February 21st is the cut-off to receive Early Bird discount pricing on booth fees. Booth rental fees range from $225 – $325. In addition to great speakers and panel discussions, the Show will feature tips on water conservation and the growing use of gray water, recycling, and earth-friendly products. There’s something for everyone. And admission is free! www.texasgreenshow.org
  8. Environmental Health and Safety Training 2014. The Environmental Health and Safety Training is a unique three day symposium which will cover a variety of environmental compliance-related topics and will present the most current regulatory information. The symposium targets HBCUs and others who have a need to know more about environmental compliance and provide the knowledge needed to avoid costly fines. The symposium will be held March 12, 2014 to March 14, 2014, at Texas Southern University; Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Learn more and register at www.dscej.org.
  9. Save the Date! Planning for Disaster Resilience Symposium. This symposium commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center (HRRC) by bringing together past and current HRRC faculty fellows to discuss contributions to the fields of hazards and urban planning research, emphasizing the importance of the intersection of urban planning and hazards as critical for community resilience. Panel discussion topics include: Hazard Mitigation; Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning; Recovery and Adaptation; and Interpretations for Practice. The symposium will be held April 4-5, 2014, at the Texas A&M University at College Station, Langford Architecture Center. The cost is $100 ($35 for students). Learn more at http://hrrc.arch.tamu.edu.
  10. Railroad Commission of Texas Proposed Rules. At its open meeting on February 4, 2014, the Railroad Commission adopted two rulemakings. First, the Commission adopted new §9.116, regarding container corrosion protection systems for underground or mounded LP-gas containers. Second, the Commission adopted several amendments, repeals and new rules in Chapter 12 regarding coal mining regulations. The adoptions will be published in the Friday, February 21, 2014, issue of the Texas Register. The effective date for new §9.116 will be March 1, 2014; the effective date for the Chapter 12 amendments will be February 24, 2014. For more information on these and other rulemakings, or to access the online comment form for any proposed rulemakings, please see the Proposed Rules table at this link: www.rrc.state.tx.us.
  11. 2014 Summit Program – Call for Proposals. Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and The Coastal Society (TCS) are proud to announce a new collaboration to present the first ever Summit that will bring together the coastal restoration and management communities for an integrated discussion to explore issues, solutions and lessons learned in their work. The Summit will be held from November 1-6, 2014, in Washington DC. The Summit will provide timely and much-needed attention to the challenges and opportunities for coastal and estuarine restoration and management and will bring together a unique blend of people who are involved in policy, science, strategy, business, and on-the-ground restoration and management. For the first time, the Summit Program will address all aspects of coastal and estuarine restoration and management, in all habitats, at all scales, and all regions, including the Great Lakes and international locales. The Program Committee invites you to submit a proposal to present at the Summit. The Program emphasizes lessons learned and best practices in every aspect of coastal and estuarine restoration and management. The submittal deadline is February 28, 2014. To read more, visit www.estuaries.org.
  12. Gulf Restoration Comment Period. Responding to requests from the public, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (Trustees) have extended the public review and comment period for the Draft Programmatic and Phase III Early Restoration Plan and Draft Early Restoration Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (draft). The draft, which proposes $627 million in early restoration projects across the Gulf states is now available for public review and comment through February 19, 2014 rather than February 4, the original deadline. This marks the third and largest phase of early restoration to date. Included in the draft are 44 proposed projects. Some aim to restore barrier islands, dunes, marshes, shorelines and oyster beds. Others, such as boat ramps and park enhancements, seek to address the lost recreational use of natural resources. The draft also proposes a programmatic plan for continuing to pursue early restoration. The draft, available at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov, includes the programmatic plan and the complete list of proposed projects, with locations and descriptions. (Click here for a list of proposed projects). More at http://content.govdelivery.com/.
  13. Houston Write-a-thon. Reading an ordinance or understanding a city process can be complex. Abbreviations, legal language, and references to other documents can sometimes feel like doing homework. The first ever “Houston Write-a-thon” aims to fix that. The City of Houston and Mayor Annise Parker, along with Open Houston, Code for America, January Advisors, and many other great partners are hosting an open and free event to help translate our ordinances, our processes, and our manuals into language that’s easier to navigate. This is a call to action for you to lend your expertise and to work with writers, designers, and civil servants to improve government communication for all of us. Read more at http://www.edforh.com/. The Write-a-thon will be held on February 22, 2014 from 10am-5pm at the Freed-Montrose Library. Find out more at http://www.houstonwriteathon.com/.
  14. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area).
    • Spreading His Wings – Wildlife biologist Ken Rice
    • Fishing Hall of Fame: Ed Parten
    • Policing Pollution
  15. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • February 18, 2014:
    • February 19, 2014:
    • February 20, 2014:

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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. Cy-Fair event focuses on benefits of trees (Flori Meeks – Houston Chronicle, 2/11/2014)
    Northwest Harris County gained more than 1,000 new trees earlier this month during the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council’s 2014 Tree Planting Competition. The event was co-sponsored by the Harris County Flood Control District, which actively encourages tree-plantings along the county’s bayous and stormwater detention basins. During the competition, each 10-member team was responsible for planting 100 trees as quickly as possible. One tree in an urban forest contributes approximately $3,000 in benefits to the community, according to Mickey Merritt, regional urban forest coordinator for the Texas A&M Forestry Service, adding that 10 trees represent $30,000 in benefits and 1,000 trees represent $3 million. Those benefits include water quality improvements, air pollution mitigation and energy conservation.
    http://www.chron.com
  2. Largest-Ever Clean Air Act Lawsuit Filed In Texas Goes To Trial In Houston Federal Court (David Pitman – KUHF News, 2/10/2014)
    A federal trial against Exxon Mobil is getting underway today in Houston. Citizens’ groups claim Exxon Mobil repeatedly violated clean air standards with the emissions from its refinery in Baytown. The Sierra Club and Environment Texas are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The groups say Exxon Mobil has had 4,000 so-called “emissions events” at its Baytown refinery since 2005. The lawsuit says those events dumped nearly 10 tons of pollutants into the air.
    http://app1.kuhf.org
  3. Impacts of historic drought linger in Texas (Ramit Plushnick-Masti – Houston Chronicle, 2/13/2014)
    Almost three years have passed since the rains returned and Texas emerged from a historic drought. Yet there still isn’t enough water. The impact of record-breaking heat and years of little or no rainfall can be felt long after a dry spell passes, and Texas is now struggling with the brunt of a historic yearlong drought that crippled the state’s lakes, agriculture and water supplies. Officially, the drought that parched Texas starting in 2011 and its lingering effects are not as severe as the yearslong, record-making “drought of record” that stretched through the 1950s. That drought has since been the foundation of all water planning in the state. But a combination of factors — including a rapidly expanding population, more upstream diversions to meet those growing needs and years without a major tropical system — have in some ways made this dry spell worse.
    www.chron.com