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Houston Environmental News Update December 15, 2021
December 16, 2021

Houston Environmental News Update December 15, 2021

4th Annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, 50th newsletter of 2021 celebrating 50 years of newsletters, TSU’s Dr. Earthea Nance appointed EPA Region 6 Administrator, Christmas Bird Counts, Sunset Reviews, Bird Banding, Agents of Discovery, Green Jobs and more

Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Educational Fund was incorporated 50 years ago, in 1971. For 50 years, CEC, through its newsletter, has been informing our readers about environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region and beyond. And this newsletter is CEC’s 50th of the year. Hooray for 50! 

How have you benefited from the newsletter? Have you found a job or hired someone, attended events, written letters to elected officials, donated to groups that are doing great work, visited beautiful local parks and preserves, recycled, received professional development, connected with other groups to work together on various environmental issues? Have you been able to have delightful, informed conversations with amazing people about local environmental issues? Have you been inspired?

If so, please consider making a year­-end donation to the CEC. Your support­­ is critical to CEC’s work, including sending newsletters to you. A contribution in any amount can make a big difference–although you might consider a gift in a multiple of 50 in recognition of 50 years and 50 newsletters this year. 

Your contribution will also support the work of our amazing interns, who help with the newsletter, events, community engagement, accounting, policy, and digitizing almost 50 years of newsletters from our archives at UH and the Way Back Machine. They’ve also been helping plan Friday’s open house & Wild About Houston Green Film Festival.

Join CEC for the 4th Annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, showcasing more than a dozen short films from the Greater Houston Area that tell the story of local environmental issues, their champions, and how you can make a difference.

The in-person event will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at MECA (1900 Kane St. 77007) following an informal open house as part of CEC’s 50th Anniversary. We will also be celebrating CEC’s environmental education program and its partnership with the Texas Association of Environmental Educators and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

  • 5:30pm – Open House (food, great beer, really good water, and, best of all, amazing company)
  • 7pm – Film Festival (laugh, cry, and be inspired)

Reserve your spot at the
Wild About Houston
Green Film Festival

Event attendees will have a chance to vote to determine which films will be shown at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour, hosted by CEC in January 2022. For COVID safety, face masks will be required while inside the building and temperatures will be checked upon arrival.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

And our venue (and CEC’s office location) :

CEC NOTES

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Engage your students with lessons outdoors or virtually. Sign up today at hereinhouston.org.

Please scroll down to read about public engagement opportunities and notes from our member organizations and the community.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force meeting

The next meeting of the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force will be held on Dec. 16, 2021, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This meeting will take place via Zoom and members of the public can attend by registering at this link. The agenda is posted on the CFRTF website at cfrtf.harriscountytx.gov. Members of the public are allowed to observe the meetings and each meeting will have a short public comment period at the end. 

Public comment on Texas electric grid market “blueprint”

On Dec. 6, 2022, the Texas Public Utility Commission released its “blueprint” for reforming the state’s electric grid, titled “Review of Wholesale Electric Market Design“. Written comment on market design concepts and principles are due by 12 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2021. The Lone Star chapter of Sierra Club asks that members of the public make comments via addup.sierraclub.org.

Sunset Survey on the Texas Water Development Board

The Texas Water Development Board’s mission, operations, and performance are undergoing Sunset review as directed by the Texas Legislature in the Texas Sunset Act. The Sunset Advisory Commission is evaluating TWDB’s operations and will make recommendations to the Legislature on how to improve the agency’s effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, and accountability. The Sunset Commission’s staff is seeking stakeholders’ input to identify problems and propose workable solutions for agencies under Sunset review. Please complete the Sunset survey on TWDB by Monday, December 20 at 5 p.m. Completing the survey should take about 15 minutes. Join the email list at the end of the survey for updates on the Sunset staff report and public hearings on TWDB. Visit the Sunset website, www.sunset.texas.gov, to learn more about the Sunset review process. If you have specific questions about the Sunset review on TWDB, please contact Darren McDivitt at (512) 463‐1992 or Darren.McDivitt@sunset.texas.gov.

San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group

The San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group is seeking a new Small Business voting member representative. If you know anyone who may be interested in this position, please feel free to forward the notice. They will be accepting applications by mail to ATTN: SJRFPG –Fatima Berrios, 10555 Northwest Fwy, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77092; and email to SanJacFldPG@eng.hctx.net until January 3, 2022.

Lone Star Hiking Trail Master Plan Public Meetings

A series of public meetings (some in-person and some virtual) for a revised Lone Star Hiking Trail Master Plan are scheduled during December and January. The 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest continuous hiking trail in the State of Texas. The LSHT is a unique wilderness footpath that is available to all who want to walk, hike, or run and enjoy solitude, spiritual contemplation, and other low impact and nature compatible uses in the back country of Sam Houston National Forest. For more information and to sign up for the meetings, visit signupgenius.com.

Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States”

On Dec. 7, 2021, EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published in the Federal Register a proposed new “Waters of the United States” definition. Find the proposed Revised Definition at federalregister.gov. The public comment period for the proposed rule continues through February 7, 2022. Learn more and submit comments at federalregister.gov.

Renewable Fuel Standard hearing

On Jan. 4, 2020, the EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard for biofuels and total renewable fuel. Registration ends Dec. 20, 2021. To register you must send an email to  ASD-Registration@epa.gov. More information can be found at federalregister.gov.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts, particularly in light of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Earthsea Nance named EPA Region 6 Regional Administrator

Last week, President Biden selected Earthea Nance, Ph.D. to serve as EPA Regional Administrator for Region 6, which includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 66 Tribal Nations. Nance is an environmental engineer who has worked for the last two decades with communities at disproportionate risk of environmental hazards and without adequate environmental infrastructure. She conducted community-based research after Hurricane Katrina, during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and in communities without safe water and sanitation in Brazil and Mozambique. After Hurricane Harvey, she brought community and equity perspectives into regional disaster policy during her service on the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium and the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force. As a public official serving as director of disaster mitigation and planning for the City of New Orleans after Katrina, she managed $60 million in flood mitigation funds and created the City’s first approved plans for hazard mitigation, sustainability, and green energy.

Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study extended

This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, and the Harris County Flood Control District announced a new path forward for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study.  Following the release of an Interim Report in October 2020, substantial public comment, and extensive coordination between USACE and HCFCD, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works has approved a schedule extension and budget increase for the study.  Additional federal funds, in the amount of $1.8 milllion, paired with engineering technical services to be provided by HCFCD using $3.367 million in funds from Harris County Commissioner Precincts 3 and 4, will allow for further study of alternatives, particularly development of a tunnel alternative for consideration in the study. With this additional work, a Draft Report is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2022, and study conclusion in December 2023. Learn more about the Study at swg.usace.army.mil.

The Sunset Review Process in Texas

On Dec. 16, 2021, from 1:30-3 p.m., Public Interest Environmental Law CLE will present a webinar featuring two former staff members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, Ilan Levin, now Associate Director, Environmental Integrity Project, and independent consultant Chloe Lieberknecht. They will discuss opportunities for involvement in the Sunset review process. Examples will be drawn from three state agencies undergoing review during the 2022-2023 cycle: the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Texas Water Development Board. To register, visit zoom.us.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Volunteer Orientation

On Dec. 16, 2021, from 6-7 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold an orientation for prospective volunteers. The orientation will detail the various volunteer opportunities, from helping maintain our gardens, to plant propagation and sales, to educational programs and the Mercer Ambassadors. This orientation will be off site at the Timber Lane Community Center, 1904 Naplechase Crest Drive in Spring. Participants must be 16 or older or 12-15 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Limited space is available, and registration is required. For more information and to register, visit hcp4.net.

Bird Banding at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

On Dec. 18, 2021, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will hold a free, in-person bird banding event at its headquarters at 299 Hwy 332 West, Lake Jackson, where licensed banders Robert and Kay Lookingbill will demonstrate banding birds. Come see birds in the hand and learn about the science of bird banding. The earlier you arrive the more birds you’ll see. For more information, visit gcbo.org.

Birding in E.R. Ann Taylor Park

On Dec. 18, 2021, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Nature Heritage Society and Houston Audubon will host a guided hike in E.R. Ann Taylor Park to learn about the diversity of birds native to Houston. For more information, see the Facebook event.

MacGregor Park Volunteer Event

On Dec. 18, 2021, from 9 a.m.-noon, join Friends of MacGregor Park and Houston Parks Board for a park volunteer event, including tree planting along Braes Bayou and park clean-up in needed. Please park north at the community center/covered basketball court, 5225 Calhoun Rd. All tools and gloves will be provided. For more information and to sign up, visit houstonparksboard.volunteerhub.com.

Agents of Discovery Holiday Lunch at Vogel Creek

On Dec. 20, 2021, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Houston Parks Board will host  a free, festive, holiday lunch and rare opportunity to play Agents of Discovery in-person to explore the future location of Vogel Creek Greenway. The first phase of the Inwood Forest Recreation Plan will create a 1-mile greenway with recreation elements and amenities along Vogel Creek. Visit the area to explore the sights and sounds of this former golf course and learn about how you can get involved in the project. Park at 7823 Streamside Dr. For more information on how to participate, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Christmas Bird Counts

The 122nd annual Christmas Bird Count continues through January 5, 2022. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. The results are compiled into a database that is shared with federal, state, and private authorities. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels. Discover new areas to bird which may not be normally accessible and take advantage of this great opportunity to bird with some of our foremost birding experts. There is no fee to participate in Christmas Bird Counts. Learn more about the counts–including a few dozen within a two-hour drive of downtown Houston–at HoustonAudubon.org. 

Agents of Discovery: Sims Bayou at S. Post Oak Road

Through Feb. 4, 2022, the Houston Parks Board is hosting an Agents of Discovery mission where players will investigate a new prairie and bioswale area along Sims Bayou. Players will discover the purpose behind a bioswale and why native plants are important to our bats and birds! They will also get a chance to see the newest mural on Sims Bayou, a project of UP Art Studio made possible by Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum of District K, 5 Corners District, and TIRZ 9. For more information, visit houstonparksboard.org.

H-GAC offers assistance with conservation projects

As part of its Regional Conservation Initiative, the Houston-Galveston Area Council will actively assist with preparing grant applications, convening stakeholders, and otherwise supporting implementation of select conservation projects across the 13-county H-GAC region. To guide its efforts, H-GAC is collecting information about planned conservation projects from local government and non-governmental organizations and categorizing the projects in a priority list. There is no funding associated with this project priority list but selected projects will be eligible to receive H-GAC staff assistance. See the current priority project list and learn more about H-GAC’s work at h-gac.com.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Meets A Changing State Population

In the latest Houston & Nature podcast, Nivien Salah speaks with Ted Hollingsworth, director of the Land Conservation Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He explains how his agency addresses the increasing diversity of Texans, and how the demographic trends affect both its ranks and its bottom line. He also discusses the secret behind the Department’s overall popularity.. Listen to the episode at houstonnature.com.

Reminders About Ongoing Opportunities

  • All Creation Waits Discussion Group. Through Dec. 22, 2021, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is hosting a weekly virtual discussion of the book All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss. The book features intimate portraits of wild animals and their adaptations to the cold and dark of winter. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  • EPA Healthy Environmental Living Program. This program identifies and funds projects that: assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risk; increase collaboration through community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems; build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems; achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits; reduce pollution at the source; and advance emergency preparedness and resilience. Applications are due Jan 28, 2022. For more information and to apply, visit grants.gov.
  • Your Body Your Air. The Houston Public Library invites you to learn about types and sources of air pollution in Houston and the effect they have on our bodies in The Health Museum’s new exhibit Your Body Your Air. Created in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, Your Body Your Air can be seen at various Houston Public Library locations through February 2022. Learn more at houstonlibrary.org.
  • Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students. EPA and partners have launched this challenge to enhance communities’ capacity to address environmental and public health inequities. College and university students are encouraged to learn more about the challenge and how to participate at epa.gov. Submissions are due April 1, 2022.

TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife

Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 p.m. each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.

  • Over 6 million acres of grassland once blanketed the Texas coast, but today less than 1% remains. The Dunn O’Connor River Ranch in Goliad County is one of the last tracts of coastal prairie left in Texas. Passed down through the family since 1836, the ranch balances cattle production with preservation of wildlife habitat
  • See some swallows soar, and find out why these home-building, cliff-dwelling birds like to construct their own bird cities under our bridges
  • As reservoirs age, natural places for fish to find food and shelter can be lost. So crews in Northeast Texas are sinking some strange-looking structures and seeding native plants to improve things for fish and fishing
  • Carry plenty of water, spare tubes, and a first aid kit–mountain biking at Big Bend Ranch State Park is not for the faint of heart. The country is rugged and the trails can be challenging, but the opportunities are as boundless as the vistas
  • See some wildlife living the wild life on the urban edge of Austin

Additional Upcoming Events

Check out the latest Green Jobs at cechouston.org/green-jobs/.

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