Colorado and Lavaca Rivers and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays: Stakeholder Committee and Expert Science Team

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Basin and Bay Area Stakeholder Committee (BBASC)

Stakeholder committees develop environmental flows recommendations for their river basin and bay system based on their associated science team's recommendations and other factors, including present and future needs of water for other uses.

The Colorado and Lavaca BBASC was appointed by the Environmental Flows Advisory Group (EFAG) on October 1, 2009.

• BBASC Members and Meetings

Basin and Bay Area Expert Science Team (BBEST)

Science teams develop environmental flow analyses and a recommended environmental flow regime to support a sound ecological environment for their river basin and bay system. The science teams must consider all reasonably available science, without regard for other water use needs, and make recommendations based solely on the best science available.

The Colorado and Lavaca BBEST was appointed by the BBASC on March 1, 2010.

• BBEST Members and Meetings

The Texas Water Code (TWC) required Basin and Bay Area Stakeholder Committees and Expert Science Teams for specific river basin and bay systems. TWC 11.02362 .

Environmental Flows Recommendation Reports

BBEST Environmental Flow Regime Recommendations Report (Submitted to EFAG March 1, 2011)

• Report Appendices
  • Water Quality Analysis Output
  • Coastal Hydrology for East Matagorda Bay
  • Coastal Hydrology for the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary
  • Tx Blend Model Calibration and Validation
• Environmental Flows Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Review Comments on the Colorado and Lavaca Rivers and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays BBEST Report (Submitted to EFAG May 3, 2011)

BBASC Environmental Flow Regime Recommendations Report (Submitted to the EFAG August 30, 2011)

Adopted Environmental Flows Rules

On August 8, 2012, TCEQ adopted environmental flow standards for the Colorado and Lavaca Rivers, and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays. For more information see the Environmental Flows Rules Web page or view the basin rules [30 TAC, 298(D)] .

*The rules the TCEQ makes available on this site as a public service are not a substitute for the official rules as approved and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State. See full disclaimer. The TCEQ assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on this site. Official copies of TCEQ rules may be obtained by e-mailing register@sos.state.tx.us.

Work Plan for Adaptive Management

After submitting environmental flow recommendations, the TWC 11.02362(p) requires that the BBASC, assisted by the BBEST, prepare a work plan that:

• establishes a periodic review of the environmental flow recommendations and a schedule for continuing validation or refinement of them
• prescribes monitoring and studies

Once complete, the work plan is submitted to the Environmental Flows Advisory Group (EFAG) for approval.

• Work Plan for Adaptive Management (Submitted June 26, 2012)
• Science Advisory Committee's (SAC) Comments on Report (Submitted November 13, 2012)

Funding Cycles and Projects

FY 2014-2015

The 83^rd Texas Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for the continued study of environmental flows and instream flows for Texas river basins.

• $312,500 was approved by the EFAG for projects in the 2012 Colorado and Lavaca Rivers, and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays BBASC Work Plan
• Studies concluded on August 31, 2015
• Supporting documents:
  • SAC Funding Recommendation Letter
  • EFAG Approval of Appropriation HB4 Contingency Rider
• Final Project Report:
  • Studies to Evaluate Achievement of Freshwater Inflow Standards and Ecological Response
  • Evaluation of Freshwater Delivery Alternatives to East Matagorda Bay

FY 2016-2017

The 84^th Texas Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 to TWDB for the continued study of environmental flows and instream flows for Texas river basins.

• $300,000 was granted by TWDB for projects in the 2012 Colorado and Lavaca Rivers, and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays BBASC Work Plan
• Studies concluded on August 31, 2017
• Final Project Report:
  • Improve Simulation of Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction in the Groundwater Management Area-12 Groundwater Availability Model (Part I)
  • Improve Simulation of Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction in the Groundwater Management Area-12 Groundwater Availability Model (Part II)
  • Instream Flows Research and Validation Methodology Framework
  • Evaluation Trends in Rainfall-runoff Relationship in the Upper Colorado River Basin

FY 2018-2019

The 85^th Texas Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to support environmental flow data collection and studies. $1,500,000 was provided for environmental flows studies in basins and bays across Texas.

• Studies concluded on August 31, 2019
• Final Project Report:
  • Evaluation of rainfall/runoff trends in the upper Colorado River Basin (Phase II)
  • Using comparative long-term benthic data for adaptive management of freshwater inflow to three estuaries (Colorado-Lavaca, Guadalupe, and Nueces)
  • Development of freshwater inflow/biological indicator relationship for Lavaca Bay