The Galveston Bay Estuary Program's revision of the 22 year old Galveston Bay Plan (Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan) continues on March 1, 2017, with its second workshop, 2-4 pm, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Galveston facility, 4102 B Main Street (FM 519), La Marque, Texas 77568 (281-534-3413).  Directions to the workshop are:

1)  Coming from Galveston on Interstate 45:  Take Exit 10, travel to the first signal light (FM 519), turn left and go under the I-45 overpass and through the next signal light until you come to a “Stop” sign.  At the “Stop” sign, turn right, and at the next “Stop” sign, turn left (which is FM 519).

2) Coming from Houston on Interstate 45:  Take Exit 10, as you come off the exit ramp immediately move to the far right lane.  Watch for FM 519 Spur, which is a turn lane to the right, and will be BEFORE you get to the intersection with traffic light (the Spur puts you directly on FM 519).  If you miss this turn lane, go to the traffic light and turn right, go a short distance to a “Stop” sign, turn right again, then left on to FM 519. 

The entrance to “Carbide Park” is on your right in one mile.  A set of  yellow caution lights is at the “Carbide Park” entrance way.

The Houston Sierra Club urges the general public and its members to attend this workshop and provide input on how we can have a cleaner and more ecologically intact Galveston Bay.  You will be asked for your input at the workshop.  You can also send comments to Dr. Sarah Bernhardt,  Program Manager, TCEQ, 17041 El Camino Real, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77058-2646 or sarah.bernhardt@tceq.texas.gov.  Make the following points at the workshop or when you submit comments afterward:

1) Sea level rise and climate change must be addressed.

2) Upland watersheds connected to Galveston Bay must be part of the GBP. 

3) We must have awareness, support, and “political will” to address difficult issues.

4) We must work with coastal erosion/accretion processes and not against them. 

5) Freshwater in-stream flows/inflows must be addressed better than now. 

6) The GBP must be fully funded. 

7) Important habitats and species (beaches, dunes, salt marshes, Mottled Ducks, etc.) must be protected and increased.

8) We need more federal, state, local, and private lands that permanently protect Galveston Bay ecosystems. 

9) We must control non-native invasive species. 

10) We must have a dedicated fund to buy coastal ecosystems. 

11) Large proposed projects must be analyzed and addressed by the GBP so that all negative impacts are completely avoided, minimized, and or mitigated.

12) The GBP must, via education and public participation, address the need for a stewardship ethic.

13) Non-point source water pollution from roads/impervious surfaces must be controlled and water quality improved. 

For additional information contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962  or brandtshnfbt@juno.com.