Houston-Galveston Region Bacteria Implementation Group: Implementing a Plan to Protect Recreational Uses

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Watch the BIG video on YouTube. The BIG is a diverse group of committed and concerned folks, representing a cross-section of concerned citizens from many disciplines. The group works for better quality water in the 2,200 square-mile area covered by their plan.

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Overview

Water quality testing found that bacteria concentrations are elevated in numerous waterways in the Houston–Galveston region. High bacteria concentrations might pose a risk to people who swim or wade in natural waters. Swimming and wading are called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality; the term refers to all recreation in which people are likely to swallow natural waters.

The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations and protect recreational safety. This project includes 72 TMDLs for 60 waterway segments in 10 counties. The project area is 2,204 square miles including all or part of 56 cities and a population of about four million people.

Watershed Counties: Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend, Grimes, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, and Waller

Parameter: Bacteria

River Basin: San Jacinto, San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal

Segments: 1004E, 1006D, 1006I, 1006F, 1006H, 1006J, 1007B, 1007C, 1007D, 1007E, 1007F, 1007G, 1007H, 1007I, 1007K, 1007L, 1007M, 1007N, 1007O, 1007R, 1008, 1008H, 1009, 1009C, 1009D, 1009E, 1010, 1011, 1013, 1013A, 1013C, 1014, 1014A, 1014B, 1014E, 1014H, 1014K, 1014L, 1014M, 1014N, 1014O, 1016, 1016A, 1016B, 1016C, 1016D, 1017, 1017A, 1017B, 1017D, 1017E, 1101, 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 1101D, 1101E, 1102, 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, 1102D, 1102E, and 1102G

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Get Involved

The Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) is a regional governing body whose creation was facilitated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). The BIG was formed to develop and implement a regional plan to reduce bacteria concentrations in impaired lakes, bayous, and streams in the Houston metropolitan area.

The BIG is coordinating public participation in improving Houston-area waterways. Meetings of the BIG are open to everyone. Meeting records are available on the BIG’s website .

Business Meetings

Business meetings are held twice annually, at the H-GAC offices . See the BIG’s website for more information about work groups and steering committee meetings.

Special Meeting

Joint meeting of the Coordination Committees for Jarbo Bayou and the East and West Forks San Jacinto River with the BIG Coordination and Policy Work Group.

February 2, 2015
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Conference Room A, Second Floor
3555 Timmons Ln
Houston 77027

The Coordination and Policy Work Group will meet separately from 1:00 – 2:00, then with the Coordination Committees for the other two groups from 2:00 – 3:00. The focus for this meeting will be to discuss the request from stakeholders of the East and West Fork of the San Jacinto River TMDL and Jarbo Bayou TMDL to join their watersheds to the BIG for implementing their TMDLs. 

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Partners

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Contact Us

For information regarding this project, please contact Steven Johnston at the H-GAC by phone at 713-627-3200 or by e-mail at steven.johnston@h-gac.com. Or e-mail the TCEQ’s TMDL Program at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Houston-Galveston bacteria project in the subject line. Reach the TMDL Program by phone at 512-239-6682.

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The Coordination and Policy Work Group will meet separately from 1:00 – 2:00, then with the Coordination Committees for the other two groups from 2:00 – 3:00.