H-GAC Offers Customizable Storm Debris Response, Preparation Templates 

H-GAC recently worked with TetraTech to develop a set of customizable debris-related public information messages and templates. These outreach templates and tools are designed for local governments and other partners to customize and use to provide information to communities and residents before, during, and after a debris-generating event, such as floods, wildfires, or hurricanes.

Tools include graphics and messages that can be used on social media posts, on websites, and on flyers; public information / news release templates; and tips for setting up a call center.

The additional graphics and messages are available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

For several years, H-GAC has provided flyers and videos that provide easy to understand instructions for the public in both English and Spanish on the proper method to sort and set out debris. These customizable materials have been used across the region, state, and country, and even in a few international locations.

The tools and templates are available for download on H-GAC's Disaster Debris Cleanup and Management Resources web page. 

H-GAC Honors Recipients of Annual Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards in July

Nine outstanding projects and programs across the H-GAC region were honored during the Water Innovations Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards ceremony on July 29.

The WISE Awards program, overseen by H-GAC's Natural Resource Advisory Committee, recognizes and celebrates projects, programs, and individuals using innovative strategies to protect and improve water quality and water resources in the Houston-Galveston region.

Winners were selected for recognition by a panel of expert judges and industry professionals.

Those recognized include:

• Chrysalis Lake, Howard Hughes - Bridgeland, Winner, Completed Effort (Greater Than $200,000)
• Water Loss Reduction, City of La Marque, Winner, Completed Effort (Less Than $200,000)
• Galveston Bay Foundation Rain Barrel Workshop Program, Galveston Bay Foundation, Winner, Education and Public Awareness
• Teri MacArthur, Woodlands Water Agency, Winner, Individual Excellence
• Exploration Green, SWA Group, Winner, Policy and Planning
• Sanitary Sewer Overflow Prevention Program, City of West University Place, Winner, Program Performance
• Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization Project, Harris County Flood Control District, Winner, Research and Monitoring
• Sustainable Interactive Customer Connections (SICC), City of Galveston, Special Recognition, Innovation in Water Resources Management
• SCADA Improvements, City of West University Place, Special Recognition, Water Quality Protection Technology

H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas Awards Application Period to Open September 1

H-GAC's annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards program will begin accepting applications on Sunday, September 1.  

The Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognize projects in four categories: Projects Over $500,000; Projects Under $500,000; Planning Process and Policy Tools; and Programming. Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. The application period closes at 3 p.m. Monday, September 30.  

The application portal is not open yet; however, an online application guide is available to help you prepare your application early. No funding is associated with this awards program.  

Winners will be notified in December and recognized in 2025. For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Clear Creek Watershed Protection Plan Approved

The Clear Creek Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) was recently approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Due to elevated fecal bacteria levels in water bodies in the watershed, and other issues such as low dissolved oxygen levels and presence of volatile organic compounds, a group of stakeholders developed a Watershed Protection Plan to protect water quality in the project area. Local stakeholders, including business owners, residents, and elected officials, worked with the Houston-Galveston Area Council to submit the draft plan to the TCEQ and EPA for review.

The plan identifies potential sources of bacteria and other concerns and recommends voluntary solutions to improve water quality. H-GAC and project stakeholders will continue working to implement the plan.

Visit the project website to learn more about this effort and view the approved WPP.

For more information, contact Rachel Windham.

Natural Resources Advisory Committee Meeting – August 1 (Hybrid) 

The next Natural Resources Advisory Committee meeting will be hosted from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, at H-GAC in the second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. At this meeting, H-GAC will seek the Committee’s approval of the 2024 Draft Water Quality Management Plan Update.

Registration is requested to attend in person. Registration is required to attend online.

The Natural Resources Advisory Committee serves as a forum to advise the H-GAC Board and local decision-makers on policy issues affecting natural resources in the 13-county Houston-Galveston region. Its membership includes diverse representatives from local governments, natural resource management agencies, environmental organizations, and the private sector.

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Upper Oyster Creek TMDL Implementation Annual Meeting – August 7 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits in the Upper Oyster Creek watershed within Fort Bend County to attend the annual stakeholder meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, at the 

City of Sugar Land Town Square (City Hall), Cane Room, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues that potentially affect communities in the watershed, including all or portions of the cities of Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, and Fulshear. 

Residents and organizations are invited to participate in this meeting to review and discuss progress implementing the bacteria reduction plan and improvements to dissolved oxygen.

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Oyster Creek Stakeholder Meeting – August 8 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits in the Oyster Creek watershed within Brazoria and Fort Bend counties to attend a stakeholder meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 8, at Brazoria County Public Library – Angleton, 401 E. Cedar Street, Angleton

At this meeting we will be completing our review of the draft Oyster Creek implementation plan and discussing implementation. 

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Chocolate Bay Stakeholder Meeting – August 15 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits in the Chocolate Bay watershed within Brazoria County to attend a stakeholder meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, August 15, at Brazoria County Public Library – Alvin, 105 South Gordon Street, Alvin.

At this meeting we will be looking at example implementation plans and reviewing draft bacteria source load and reduction load analysis

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop – August 22 (Hybrid) 

Join H-GAC for a Clean Waters Initiative on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) workshop from 9 a.m.. to noon Thursday, August 22, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms and on Zoom. 

Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend online.

Clean Waters Initiative workshops offer education and information to local governments, nonprofit organizations, landowners, and residents to develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in local waterways.  

For more information, contact Rachel Windham. 

Caney Creek Stakeholder Meeting – August 22 (In Person) 

H-GAC invites residents, local governments, businesses, and non-profits in the Caney Creek watershed (includes Caney Creek, Linneville Bayou, and Hardeman Slough) within Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton counties to attend the first yearly stakeholder meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 22, at the Van Vleck Community Center, 116 6th Street, Van Vleck, (979) 254-4521 (next to the Van Vleck fire station).

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues that potentially affect communities in the watershed, including all or portions of the cities of Boling-Iago, Pledger, Lane City, Old Ocean, Van Vleck, Cedar Lane, Hawkinsville, and Sargent. 

Residents and organizations are invited to participate in this meeting to review and discuss progress implementing the bacteria reduction plan.

For more information, contact Steven Johnston. 

Disaster Debris Training Webinar – August 29 (Online) 

H-GAC is hosting a free disaster debris webinar from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, August 29, on Zoom. This webinar was originally scheduled to be July 10.

Registration is required to attend.

Topics for this event include:

• Debris management challenges caused by staff turnover and tips for overcoming them
• Finding qualified contractors and maintaining good contractor relations
• Social vulnerability and social justice considerations in disaster debris management operations
• Public information tools to enhance the message

For more information, contact Erin Livingston.

Economic Development and Tourism Workshop – August 29 (In Person) 

Join H-GAC and the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Department of the Office of Governor Greg Abbott for a day of information and collaboration on economic development and tourism from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, August 29, at Federal Reserve Bank,1801 Allen Parkway, Houston. 

Lunch will be provided by GrantWorks, and registration is required to attend.

Sessions will include local, state, and federal partners who will provide information on resources and funding opportunities to grow economic development and tourism in your communities. Download the day's agenda.

For more information, contact Cynthia Jones. 

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – September 9 (In Person) 

Make plans to attend the next H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 9, at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms.

Ashley R. Morgan-Olivera, Director of Research and Education/Outreach for the Texas Invasive Species Institute at Sam Houston State University, discussing invasive species in the Houston-Galveston region, their removal, and reporting them on Texasinvasives.org.

Tentative agenda presentations include:

• Bryan Frazier, Brazoria County Parks Director, discussing award-winning projects and programs
• Eric Heppen, Harris County Pct. 3 Project Manager, discussing templates and other efficient tools for parks planning

Attendees will also

• Discuss the Parks and Natural Areas Awards program;
• Learn about a new online, interactive trail mapping tool;
• Hear about the 2024 WISE Awards winners; and
• Engage in a roundtable discussion of events and activities in the region.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

Annual Land Use / Transportation Workshop – September 19 (In Person) 

Make plans to attend the H-GAC Livable Centers Workshop: Incremental Steps Towards Transportation, Environmental, and Social Equity from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, September 19, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms.

At this annual Land Use / Transportation Workshop, we'll bring together experts in transportation, environmental sustainability, and social equity to share insights and explore how we can create transportation systems that serve everyone's needs while protecting the environment and promoting equity.

Join us as we:

• Explore the intersectionality of transportation equity, environmental justice, and social equity.
• Share incremental successes in working towards a future where transportation systems are inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
• Hear from experts on strategies for integrating environmental and health considerations into transportation planning and policy.
• Share best practices for encouraging sustainable transportation options.

Confirmed speakers from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and LINK Houston. Additional speakers will be announced.

Registration is requested but not required to attend.

For more information, email [email protected].

2025 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Application Open Until August 30

Each year, the Governor's Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state's most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. The application period for the 2025 awards is now open. To see winners from 2013 to 2024, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards webpage. Applications will be accepted through Friday, August 30. 

2024 Texas Community Development Block Project Upcoming Application Opportunities

The primary objective of the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low- to moderate-income. Eligible TxCDBG applicants are non-entitlement cities under 50,000 in population* and non-entitlement counties that have a non-metropolitan population under 200,000 and are not eligible for direct CDBG funding from HUD. *Check with your jurisdiction’s county to determine eligibility based on cooperation agreements.

Application Method: Two Phase Application

• Community Application open to all eligible local governments
• Project Application subsequently required for applicants whose scores place them in funding range

Maximum Grant Request: $750,000

Project Priorities: See Regional Priorities

Application Schedule:

• Community Application Guide and application documents available in TDA-GO – September 2024
• Community Application due – December 1, 2024
• Applicants in first year funding range invited to begin the Project Application – approx. January 2025
• Project Application due – approx. June 2025
• Grant Awards for first year recipients – Fall 2025

For more information, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture TxCDBG web page.

Houston Audubon Bird Week - September 21-28

Houston Bird Week 2024 celebrates the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of resident birds. Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of events centered around the region’s birds and wildlife. Events include birding opportunities, watch parties, trivia, movie night, and more. Visit www.houstonaudubon.org/BirdWeek for details. 

Funding Sources

H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements, conservation projects and downtown revitalization projects. H-GAC also provides a Funding Resources Hub with many funding opportunities for individuals, local governments, organizations, and others.

If you know of a funding opportunity, forward it to Andrea Tantillo.

All content, including links to websites on these funding lists, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.

Mapping Applications

Looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department? Visit H-GAC's interactive applications web page.