BIG ideas for cleaner waters.http://www.h-gac.com/BIG The Bacteria Implementation Group, familiarly known as the BIG, is a thirty-one-member committee that is preparing an implementation plan, or I-Plan, to remedy high levels of bacteria in waterways identified in Total Maximum Daily Load projects in the Houston Region.
The BIG is responsible for receiving input, establishing workgroups, facilitating communications, developing recommendations, and providing oversight in the development of the I-Plan. Activities of the BIG are open to all interested parties, and people are encouraged to attend meetings and participate in the various water quality issues pertinent to the I-Plan.
Mission: The ultimate goal of the BIG is to support efforts to reduce bacteria levels in impaired waterways, in order that they may meet water quality standards and become suitable for their current, designated uses. The BIG strives to accomplish this goal by coordinating, implementing, assessing, and revising the Implementation Plan for Seventy-Two Total Maximum Daily Loads in the Houston-Galveston Region (I-Plan).
Operating as usual
Check out H-GAC’s new webpage promoting Low Impact Development practices and one of our newest projects, Designing for Impact. Don’t know what LID is? Want to know more about the project? Check out our NEW PAGE
Low Impact Development (LID) is a method of developing land that preserves nature and lowers infrastructure and maintenance costs.
The 2014 BIG annual report is now available online.
On August 16, 2011, the Bacteria Implementation Group approved the draft I-Plan for the purpose of submitting it to the TCEQ for consideration. As of May 2012, almost 100 organizations representing local governments, business, and environmental interests have passed resolutions in support of the Imp…
Entries Sought for Parks and Natural Areas Awards Program
H-GAC Natural Resources Advisory Committee to Honor ‘Best of the Best’ Regional Projects
Two Free Watershed Steward Trainings Planned in November
Reminder - the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
Don't forget about the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership meeting on August 21, 2013! We will meet at 6:30 pm in the Community Room at the Historic Railroad Center in Dickinson Texas. The meeting will review recommendations for reducing bacteria input into Dickinson Bayou as well as learning about the next steps in the approval process
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership will review recommendations for reducing bacteria input into Dickinson Bayou and discuss next steps for approval on August 21.
On August 21, 2013 the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership will meet at 6:30 pm in the Community Room at the Historic Railroad Center in Dickinson Texas. The meeting will review recommendations for reducing bacteria input into Dickinson Bayou as well as learning about the next steps in the TCEQ approval process.
Join us for this educational meeting!
Want to help your little ones get an early start on learning more about nature? Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife 2013 Habitats and History Summer Day Camps at the San Jacinto Battleground / Battleship Texas State Historic Site. Camps are five days long and run through July 19. Activities range from fishing, canoeing, and archery. Plus, every Thursday campers explore about the marsh and prairie and even get to learn about water testing.
history201d-summer-day-camp
Come experience a week full of history, fun, and the great outdoors. Our week-long program combines all aspects of the site.The 2013 Camps are June 10-14, June 17-21, June 24-28, July 8-12, and and July 15-19.
BIG Annual Meeting 2013
BIG Work Group Meeting: Residential & Outreach, February 13, 2013 http://conta.cc/WTp4EH
I would like to invite you to participate in the BIG Residentail and Outreach work group meeting on February 13, 2013, from 3:45 PM to 4:30 PM here at H-GAC in Conference Room A, second floor. The meeting is being held in conjunction with a workshop on water quality education and outreach.
BIG Update: August 7, 2012
The last time I wrote, I shared information about the public comment period for the BIG I-Plan. No public comments were formally submitted. TCEQ is coordinating internally with other staff to prepare the plan for consideration by the Commission for approval. If approved, the Implementation Plan will...
Bacteria Implementation Group's cover photo
Latest update on the BIG:
I have great news! On June 13, 2012, the TCEQ formally approved the I-Plan for the purpose of soliciting formal support. A formal, 30-day public comment period began on July 1, 2012, and will continue through July 30, 2012. Four public comment meetings are scheduled in Houston:
Save the date for Community Training and get ready to learn about improving your neighborhood, public participation and incorporating public input for planning.
BIG Meeting Notice: May 22, 2012
I have great news! TCEQ has reviewed the BIG's Implementation Plan for Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Houston-Galveston Region. TCEQ has tentatively set an agenda date of Wednesday, June 13, 2012, for considering the I-Plan for the purpose of soliciting public comment. I will be trave...
Houston-Galveston Area Council Event
Activities that take place at industrial facilities, such as material handling and storage, are often exposed to the weather. As runoff from rain comes into contact with these activities, it can pick up pollutants and transport them to a nearby storm sewer system or directly to a river, lake, or coa...
CWI Workshop: Public Participation and Outreach
Public Education and Outreach/ Public Participation and Involvement are two of six minimum control measures the operator of a Phase II regulated small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) is required to include in its stormwater management program to meet the conditions of its National Pollut...
Look for the BIG on the EPA website!
Environmental information about the Group: Bacteria Implementation Group web site associated with the Houston-Galveston Area Council organization is described in this Adopt Your Watershed - Environmental Web Site Catalog entry.
Corral the Grease
Official site of the City of Houston, Texas municipal government. Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, Texas.
BIG Update: February Workgroup Meetings
The Implementation Plan for Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Houston-Galveston Region continues to be reviewed by TCEQ prior to being considered for solicitation of public comment. I will keep you posted on the progress.
Don't Feed the Grease Monster!
The Grease Monster goes all festive for the holidays.
Contact Recreation! (Ok, probably not primary contact recreation, but still recreation.)
BIG Reminder: Wastewater Treatment Facilities Workgroup
This is just a quick reminder to workgroup members that the Wastewater Treatment Facilities Work Group will be meeting next week, on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in H-GAC's Conference Room A, Second Floor.
Here's the EPA website, which contains more complex and complete information: http://www.epa.gov/tri/NationalAnalysis/index.htm.
The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing its latest Toxics Release Inventory. The annual study publishes information on releases of toxic chemicals into the air, land and water. Once again, Harris County ranks as one of the most polluted in the nation.
Please consider attending!
Municipalities conduct numerous activities that can pose a threat to water quality if practices and procedures are not in place to prevent pollutants from entering the MS4. These activities include road maintenance, minor road repairs and other infrastructure work, automobile fleet maintenance, land...
BIG Update: Workgroups Continue in January
The Implementation Plan for Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Houston-Galveston Region continues to be reviewed by TCEQ prior to being considered for solicitation of public comment. So far, I have received no formal requests to make changes to the I-Plan, although I have updated the form...
Drought leaving rivers, lakes with more bacteria
One expert used simple rhyme to explain the reason behind high levels of bacteria in Texas waterways.
Study finds lightly regulated wastewater plants polluting Edwards Aquifer
Dozens of lightly monitored wastewater plants west of Austin are degrading the waterways that feed Barton Springs, according to a report commissioned by the Save Our Springs Alliance and San Antonio-based Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance.
New York City Set to Commit $2.4 Billion on Storm Water-Control Tactics
New York City has a tentative approval from the state on a plan to introduce technologies that are expected to greatly reduce sewer overflow into area waterways.
RSVP now for the November 1 Environmental Awareness Roundtable
Input sought on how to cut bacteria
A state plan is being devised to decrease bacteria levels in the Dickinson Bayou Watershed, which covers parts of Friendswood, Alvin and Manvel, by addressing problems such as defective septic tanks and waste from pets and livestock. The plan will outline ways to fix sewer lines and septic tanks an...
BIG Update: September 2011
Congratulations! On Tuesday, August 16, 2011, the Bacteria Implementation Group agreed to submit its Implementation Plan for Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Houston-Galveston Region to TCEQ.
Questions about Trinity River water quality
There are tubing parties on the Trinity River in downtown Fort Worth, and a new wakeboard park near I-35 and Northside drive. That leads to a question – what’s in the water? News 8 found high levels of E-Coli in some samples.
Apps for the Environment
Voting is now open! You can vote for your favorite app submission between September 21 through October 7. So check out the submissions and vote!
3555 Timmons Ln
Houston, TX
77027
http://tripplanner.ridemetro.org/
The draft I-Plan is a common-sense approach for reducing bacteria levels in our waterways and providing better services to citizens. However, for the plan to work, we need your help. With everyone pitching in together, we will reduce bacteria levels in our waterways. On August 16, 2011, the Bacteria Implementation Group approved the draft I-Plan for the purpose of submitting it to the TCEQ for consideration. TCEQ is currently considering the I-Plan to determine whether to approve the plan for the purpose of soliciting formal comment. As of May 2012, almost 100 organizations representing local governments, business, and environmental interests have passed resolutions in support of the Implementation Plan.
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