These funds to the texas commission on environmental quality's (TCEQ) galveston BAY estuary program (GBEP) provide support in implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 awarded a $1.8 million Project Grant to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) to support implementation of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan from January 1, 2023 through August 31, 2026. Funds will support activities to maintain, restore and improve water quality in the Galveston Bay area through land conservation, water quality projects, outreach and education, and estuary restoration. Specific activities include developing a long-term plan and equity strategy, replacing failing septic systems in disadvantaged communities, acquiring over 1,000 acres of habitat, restoring various coastal habitats totaling over 100 acres, conducting trash cleanups and education programs, and community outreach. Initial subawards were made to the Houston Advanced Research Center to develop an equity strategy for distributing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. Progress and final reports will document outcomes of restoring impaired waters and protecting healthy waters in Texas for the direct benefit of Galveston Bay residents and users.

These funds to the texas commission on environmental quality's (TCEQ) galveston BAY estuary program (GBEP) provide support in implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan (CCMP) and accompanying strategic plan. This agreement is supported by funding provided under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58).activities:all activities focus on maintaining, restoring, and/or improving water quality through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, land conservation, water quality implementation outreach and education, and estuary restoration. The activities to be performed by the galveston BAY estuary program (GBEP) include the following activities: 1) development of a long-term plan and equity strategy; 2) repair and replacement of failing on-site sewage facilities for homeowners in disadvantaged communities with vulnerable populations; 3) acquisition and preservation of 1,065 acres of habitat along armand bayou north of the armand bayou nature center's 2,500 acre preserve; 4) acquisition and restoration of 25 acres of remnant coastal prairie and creation of public access opportunities for the community of SAN leon, texas; 5) restoration of 45.5 acres of coastal prairie, riparian, wetland, and savannah habitat in houston, texas; 6) conduct trash clean-UPS and education programs with schools, libraries, nature centers, and visitor centers; and 7) community outreach and education. Subrecipient:activities include implementation of an approved comprehensive conservation and management plan for the galveston BAY estuary, including outreach, education, conservation and restoration activities that work towards protecting and restoring the unique estuary ecosystem. Subawards for this cooperative agreement include, but not limited to, local area-wide agencies, city of houston, galveston BAY foundation, conservancies and nature centers. All of the funds are passed though as subawards. Subawardees will be conducting the following activities: 1) development of a long-term plan and equity strategy; 2) repair and replacement of failing on-site sewage facilities for homeowners in disadvantaged communities with vulnerable populations; 3) acquisition and preservation of 1,065 acres of habitat along armand bayou north of the abnc's 2,500 acre preserve;4) acquisition and restoration of 25 acres of remnant coastal prairie and creation of public access opportunities for the community of SAN leon, texas; 5) restoration of 45.5 acres of coastal prairie, riparian, wetland, and savannah habitat in houston, texas; 6) conduct trash clean-UPS and education programs with schools, libraries, nature centers, and visitor centers; and 7) community outreach and education. Outcomes:the deliverables to be provided under this agreement are: semi and annual progress reports, quality assurance project plans and final project reports. The expected outcomes resulting from these efforts include restoring texas' impaired waters and protecting healthy waters. Direct beneficiaries of this program include galveston BAY area, human health, the environment and all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.