Community Notes 06-29-2011

1. Fire Danger Over Holiday Weekend. Most Texas counties are experiencing severe drought, and it’s important to keep in mind this holiday weekend that just a little spark can start a massive wildfire. Texas Forest Service continues to urge caution when it comes to any outdoor activity that can cause a spark – from outdoor grilling or building a campfire to parking a car on dry grass or shooting celebratory fireworks in approved areas. More than 90 percent of Texas wildfires are caused by humans. The most frequent cause is debris burning. According to authorities, the recent Dyer Mill Fire in Grimes County, where more than 5,200 acres were burned and at least 30 homes lost, was started by a barbecue pit. For more information, visit www.texasfirestorm.org and www.texasfirewise.org.
2. Waters of the U.S. Draft Guidance–Comment Period Extended. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have extended the public comment period by 30 days for the draft guidance on Identifying Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act. In response to requests from state and local officials, as well as other stakeholders, EPA and the Corps will take additional comment until July 31, 2011 on this important draft guidance that aims to protect U.S. waters. More information: http://water.epa.gov.
   
3. EPA Extends Public Comment on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. In response to requests from members of Congress and to encourage additional public comment, EPA today extended the timeline for public input by 30 days on the proposed mercury and air toxics standards, an extension that will not alter the timeline for issuing the final standards in November 2011. EPA proposed the first ever national mercury and air toxics standards in March.  The standards will be phased in over three years, and states have the ability to give facilities a fourth year to comply. Currently, more than half of all coal-fired power plants already deploy widely available pollution control technologies that are called for to meet these important standards. Once they are final in November, these standards will ensure the remaining coal-fired plants, roughly 44 percent, take similar steps to decrease dangerous pollutants. More information on the mercury and air toxics standards: http://epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/.
4. Legislation. House Bill (HB) 3 and Senate Bill (SB) 3 from 2007 require the TCEQ to adopt appropriate environmental flow standards for each river basin and bay system in the state. Standards were set for the Sabine and Neches Rivers, Sabine Lake Bay, the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers, and Galveston Bay. Staff continues to work on the implementation of the flow standards and are interested in hearing public opinion. If you would like your voice heard, please submit written comments to Steve Ramos at steve.ramos@tceq.texas.gov by July 8, 2011.
5. North American Conservation Campaigns. The Fund for Wild Nature is accepting applications for the North American Conservation Campaigns working to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, with particular emphasis on actions designed to defend threatened wilderness and biological diversity. The grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. The deadline to apply is September 1st. To learn more, visit http://foundationcenter.org/.
6. Grassroots Environmental Campaign Funds. Patagonia is providing grants to small, grassroots activist organizations that have provocative direct-action agendas and are working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. The grants range from $3,000 to $8,000 and the deadline for applications is August 31st. For more information, visit http://foundationcenter.org/.
7. Community Stewardship Projects. The National Forest Foundation is providing matching funds to direct action-oriented on-the-ground conservation and citizen-based monitoring projects on or around national forests and grasslands. Past awards have ranged from $500 to over $100,000. The deadline to apply is July 18th. To learn more, visit http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/.
8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • June 30: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • July 1: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • July 2: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the north and northwest side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • On June 29, TCEQ issued an Air Pollution Warning – Level Orange for unhealthy levels of ozone in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria areas. During a Level Orange warning, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.