News from the Texas TMDL Program
The TMDL Program sets targets for improved quality in surface waters and develops implementation plans (I-Plans) to achieve them.
See the Calendar for the TMDL Program for scheduled stakeholder meetings.
- Calendar for the TMDL Program
- Drafts for Public Comment
- Draft Update to Water Quality Management Plan
- TMDLs for Public Comment
- I-Plan for Commission Consideration
- Incentives and Grants
- Incentive Payments Available for Watersheds Upstream of Lake O' the Pines
- Coming Soon: 2014 Request for Grant Applications from TCEQ Nonpoint Source Program
- Other Grant Opportunities
- Water News
- Contact Us
- Join the TMDL News E-Mail List
Draft Update to the Water Quality Management Plan
The draft April 2013 Update to the Water Quality Management Plan is available for public comment through June 10, 2013, 5:00 p.m. This draft WQMP includes updates and addenda to several bacteria TMDLs for the Houston-Galveston region.
Updates are made to account for changing conditions in the watershed, such as new or revised wasteload allocations, permits that have been canceled or have expired, or changed facility names.
Addenda are created to add load allocations for assessment units that are impaired by the same pollutant or condition, within the same watershed, as in the original TMDL report.
TMDLs for Public Comment
The commission requests comments from the public on draft TMDLs for the Lower West Fork Trinity River. Comments must be received at TCEQ by midnight on July 12, 2013.
I-Plan for Commission Consideration
At their June 5 Agenda meeting, the commission is scheduled to consider whether to publish and solicit comments on the draft Implementation Plan for the Greater Trinity River Region.
- I-Plan Agenda Package
(Docket request, executive summary, and draft Implementation Plan)
Return to topIncentive Payments Available for Watersheds Upstream of Lake O' the Pines
A total of $704,000 will be awarded to farmers, ranchers, and owners of forested lands in the Lake O’ the Pines–Big Cypress region in East Texas. Owners and operators could receive assistance for installing conservation practices that manage nutrients, pathogens, and sediments. These may include practices such as nutrient management, cover crops, waste storage facility, pasture planting, and tree planting.
Eligible lands are in five watersheds upstream of Lake O’ the Pines, which are located in four counties — Upshur, Camp, Titus, and Morris. These watersheds were chosen as those where additional or improved conservation practices are most likely to improve water quality in Lake O’ the Pines. Working to preserve and maintain water quality in the lake promotes prosperity, productivity, and quality of life for people in the surrounding areas.
Find out if you qualify and how to apply
2014 Request for Grant Applications
On May 31, the TCEQ Nonpoint Source Program will post its 2014 Clean Water Act Section 319 request for grant applications (RFGA) on the State of Texas Electronic State Business Daily. Grant applications will be accepted from May 31 through an end date that will be specified in the RFGA.
Prior to the release of the RFGA, questions may be directed to nps@tceq.texas.gov, or 512-239-6682. Instructions for submitting an application and for asking questions about the application process after the RFGA is released will be posted on May 31 to the TCEQ NPS Grants Web Page.
Other Grant Opportunities
Initial deadlines for all of these opportunities are in early to mid June, except for the urban forestry grant, which is in July.
- Coastal and Marine Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants,
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Bring Back the Natives/More Fish, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- TogetherGreen Innovation Grants Program, Toyota & National Audubon Society
- Cooperative Watershed Management Program, Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART
- 2014 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant, USDA Forest Service
Water News
Updated EPA Guidelines
EPA recently released its latest Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories for implementing the Clean Water Act Section 319 grant program. These guidelines will be effective for the 2014 grant awards and afterward; they replace the previous guidelines from 2004.
In Texas, the nonpoint source program staff at TCEQ and Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board implement these guidelines as they award grants and carry out other activities to manage nonpoint source pollution. These final guidelines increase emphasis on watershed project implementation to restore impaired waters, accountability measures, and appropriate flexibility for state programs to pursue priority objectives.
Events
- June 1. Bay Day at the Kemah Boardwalk, Galveston Bay. Sponsored by the Galveston Bay Foundation .
Conferences and Workshops
- Clean Waters Initiative Workshops in the Houston–Galveston Area. Offered monthly through October 2013. Topics include education and outreach, stormwater controls, urban stream ecology, and producing electricity with wastewater.
- June 13: Good Housekeeping for Water Quality
- Social Media 101: Offered May 15 in San Antonio; May 23 in Houston. This one-day course is designed for people who promote sustainable uses of watersheds. Offered by Texas AgriLife, this workshop will teach effective strategies you can use to build your audience, create new networks, and engage people with your message. Register online
- May 28-30. The Resource Institute is hosting the Southwest Stream Restoration Conference in San Antonio will provide an opportunity for natural resource professionals to share knowledge, experiences, and innovations in ecosystem and watershed restoration. Conference partners include the Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- July 30-August 1. The EPA will hold its annual Community Involvement Training Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Learn about best practices for getting people involved in improving the environment. Registration opens in May.
Publications
- Life Is Better Outside , Summer 2013 Edition. Published by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Contact Us
Send us an e-mail at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov or call 512-239-6682.
