The conditionally approved preliminary MOD is available online at www.h-gac.com/go/cdbg.

The public comment period is open until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2022. Anyone wishing to make public comment may leave a voicemail message or may submit written comments by e-mail, postal mail, or hand-delivery. Details about the public comment period are available at www.h-gac.com/go/cdbg.

H-GAC staff will also take oral and written public comments during a public hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022. The hearing will be at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom. Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend online. As it is a public hearing, H-GAC staff is not permitted to respond to any questions or comments during this meeting.

For more information, visit www.h-gac.com/go/cdbg or make plans to attend an informational meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022. During the informational meeting, H-GAC staff will provide an overview of the conditionally approved preliminary MOD, including information about data used in its development, and will answer questions. The meeting will be online, and registration is required.

Each year, H-GAC conducts water quality management planning as part of a Clean Water Act Section 604(b) grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Water Quality Management Plan Update describes activities that provide data and analysis regarding wastewater infrastructure, watershed planning, and sources of nonpoint source pollution that affect water quality in the Houston-Galveston region. Data collected through this project form the foundation of H-GAC’s watershed-based planning efforts in the region.

As part of this process, the Draft Water Quality Management Plan Update is released for a public comment period. The public comment period will be open beginning on Friday July 1, 2022, and close at midnight on Sunday, July 31, 2022. The public is invited to provide comments on the report.

The Draft Water Quality Management Plan Update Report is available at www.h-gac.com/water-quality-management-planning.

Written comments can be submitted by email to Brian Sims.

H-GAC Regional Conservation Initiative Earns Gold in American Planning Association Houston Section Inaugural Awards 

The H-GAC Regional Conservation Initiative earned a Gold designation in the Environmental Planning category of American Planning Association (APA) Texas Chapter Houston Section 2022 Planning Awards.

These awards, given for the first time this year, recognize individuals, organizations, and communities for outstanding contributions to planning in the Houston Section of APA.

In 2021, H-GAC launched the Regional Conservation Initiative to enhance resilience and quality of life for the region’s communities. Under this initiative, funded by a grant from the Houston Endowment, H-GAC continues to aid local governments and partners in securing resources for their projects, enhance data and resources available to local governments, and raise public awareness to support conservation initiatives.

As part of our Regional Conservation Initiative, H-GAC will actively assist with preparing grant applications, convening stakeholders, and otherwise supporting the implementation of priority conservation projects across the 13-county H-GAC region. To guide our efforts, we are collecting information about planned conservation projects from local governments and non-governmental organizations and categorizing the projects in a priority list.

See the current priority project list and learn more about our work online. The list will be updated quarterly. 

Staff encourages you to submit your conservation projects by Thursday, July 14, or email [email protected] with any questions.

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable – July 11 (In Person)

H-GAC's next Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable will be Monday, July 11. The meeting will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at H-GAC, Second Floor Conference Room A.  

The topic will be Recreational Waters. Speakers will be Tracey Prothro with the City of Baytown and Tom Douglas with the Houston Canoe Club. Participants will discuss the upcoming Parks and Natural Areas Awards program and the fall field trip.   

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo.

Drones in Environmental Enforcement Workshop – July 14 (In Person)

Make plans to attend H-GAC’s Solid Waste Workshop Series: Drones in Environmental Enforcement from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Erin Livingston.

H-GAC staff will hold an informational meeting to discuss a conditionally approved preliminary Method of Distribution (MOD) for $488,762,000 in U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Mitigation funds to provide funds to counties and local jurisdictions for risk mitigation projects related to flooding, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022. During the meeting, H-GAC staff will provide an overview of the conditionally approved preliminary MOD, including information about data used in its development, and will answer questions. The meeting is online, and registration is required.

H-GAC staff will take oral and written public comments during a public hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022. The hearing will be at H-GAC, second floor conference rooms, and on Zoom. Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend online. As it is a public hearing, H-GAC staff is not permitted to respond to any questions or comments during this meeting.

The conditionally approved preliminary MOD is available online at www.h-gac.com/go/cdbg.

Regional Flood Management Committee Meeting – July 20 (Hybrid)

H-GAC's Regional Flood Management Committee will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.

The meeting will be at H-GAC and on Zoom. Registration is required to attend online.

Participants will hear updates on current funding sources, engage with speakers about flood mitigation topics and projects in the region, and discuss other items of interest. Continuing education credits from the Texas Floodplain Management Association are available.

For more information, contact Justin Bower.

Disaster Debris Funding Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions – July 21 (Online)

Make plans to attend H-GAC's Disaster Debris Funding Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions webinar from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 21, to learn about disaster debris related funding opportunities available to local jurisdictions.

The event will be online, and registration is required.

For more information, contact Erin Livingston.

Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable – July 26 (In Person)

H-GAC's next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 26. The event will be at Waller City Hall and Civic Plaza, 1218 Farr, Waller.

The topic will be “Persistence Pays Off: A Long-Term Plan for Revitalizing Downtown.” Join us as the City of Waller and the Waller Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discuss the planning process and available resources they’re using to revitalize their downtown and attract developers to the community. New businesses in town include Location 6 (a craft brewery), EJI’s Culinary (chef’s ghost kitchen), and Finishes Solutions (a housing and construction development company).

Breakfast and networking begin at 9:30 a.m., and program begins at 10 a.m. The event will conclude with a brief walking tour of downtown.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo.

Missing Middle Housing: A Regional Conversation – August 3 (In Person)

Make plans to join H-GAC for Missing Middle Housing: A Regional Conversation from 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, August 3, at H-GAC second floor conference rooms. 

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

For more information, contact Jose Cantu. 

STAR 2022 Texas Recycling Summit Call for Speakers  

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) is seeking proposals for speakers for the 24th Annual Texas Recycling Summit. The event will be in person from October 12 to 14 at Tanglewood Resort, Lake Texoma. Experts interested in participating as a presenter or a panelist at the conference can review the list of topics and submit a proposal online. The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, August 1. Early bird registration for the summit is open until Monday, August 15. 

NADO Impact Awards Open Until July 15 

Each year, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognizes member organizations that demonstrate innovative approaches to regional economic and community development through NADO’s 2022 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards program. Previous award-winning projects have showcased innovative efforts in a variety of program areas, including planning, brownfields, sustainability, technology, transportation, and workforce development. Applications are due Friday, July 15. For more information, contact Brett Schwartz or Ciara Ristig. 

2022 STAR Texas Environmental Leadership Awards Nominations Open Until July 16 

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling is accepting nominations for the 2022 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards. These awards recognize individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public outreach, special event recycling, and more. Award nominations close Monday, August 1. 

2023 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Applications Open Until September 23 

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 2023 awards is now open. To see winners from 2013 to 2022, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards webpage. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 23.

State, National American Planning Association Awards Applications Periods Close July 8 

The national American Planning Association (APA) and Texas Chapter are each accepting applications their annual awards programs. 

Both application periods are open until Friday, July 8. Review categories and instructions for the national APA award or download categories and instructions for the Texas Chapter award. 

The Plastic Free Foundation encourages everyone to be a part of the plastic pollution solution by refusing single-use plastic when practical and possible. Plastic Free July is a global movement with resources such as videos, products, and posters. The effort also includes information on how you can reduce your plastic consumption, events to attend, and a challenge you can take to show your commitment to reducing plastic pollution. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA) National Brownfields Training Conference will be August 16-19 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest event in the nation focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Held every two years, the National Brownfields Conference attracts over 2,000 stakeholders in brownfields redevelopment and cleanup to share knowledge about sustainable reuse and celebrate the EPA brownfields program’s success. This year, attendees will learn about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $1.5 billion investment in communities through the EPA Brownfields Program and can interact with the nation's leading brownfield practitioners. Brownfield grant guidelines will be released in September 2022. 

Houston Audubon Bird Week – September 17-24 

Houston Bird Week 2022 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. 

H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department has compiled a list of local, regional, state, federal, and private funding sources for local governments and other organizations. H-GAC also maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements, conservation projects, and economic development resources.

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

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.

H-GAC has a Facebook page where information about current and upcoming events is posted. Please visit and like H-GAC's page. While there, visit other H-GAC pages on Facebook, including Recycling, and Trash Bash.