Estuary Programs in Texas: Vehicles of Action for Society and Environment Carla G. Guthrie, Ph.D. Director, Surface Water Division

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1 Estuary Programs in Texas: Vehicles of Action for Society and Environment Carla G. Guthrie, Ph.D. Director, Surface Water Division May 18, 2016

2 Major Texas Estuaries represented by an estuary program 4.5 of 7 estuaries are represented by some program * 3.5 estuaries are covered by 2 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) 2.5 are without a program*

3 National Estuary Programs in Texas Other types of estuary programs in Texas Non-Profit Organizations * National Estuarine Research Reserve

4 COMMONALITIES Missions Conserve, protect, & restore the estuaries Public education/awareness GBEP - To provide comprehensive ecosystem management through collaborative partnerships and to ensure preservation of the bay s multiple uses. CBBEP - Protecting, researching & restoring the bays & estuaries. GBF - To preserve, protect, & enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system & its tributaries for present users & for posterity. CBBF - Conservation of freshwater & coastal natural resources for current & future generations through consensus, facilitation, communication, advocacy, research & education. SABF - To foster & steward the natural resources of the San Antonio Bay estuarine system for optimal benefit of marine life, coastal wildlife & the people who use it. SABP - To create & sustain a working partnership of committed stakeholders to protect, restore, & enhance the natural resources of the San Antonio Bay System for the benefit of the ecosystem & its human uses. EMBF - To preserve & protect East Matagorda Bay & its estuarine system for future generations. LLMF - purpose is to preserve & protect the natural resources of the South Texas intercoastal bay system for the present day & for posterity.

5 Programs COMMONALITIES Conservation/Restoration/Protection - Habitats - Wildlife and Waterbirds Protection/Improvement - Water Quality - Freshwater Inflows - Public Health Education/Outreach/Involvement Research & Monitoring

6 COMMONALITIES Funding Base funding support (local, state, federal) Leveraging Grants/Donations Partnerships Board of Directors/Advisory Council Stakeholder Involvement Diverse Stakeholder Interests Local, Regional, State, & Federal Govts Conservation/Environmental Groups Academia & Educators Industry & Private Sector Maritime Commerce Recreational Interests Commercial Fishing Citizens Groups

7 DISTINCTIONS Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans - NEPs have these guidance documents. Legislative Advocacy - NEPs cannot/do not do this. Texas Estuaries Act (SB 708) Unique Programs or Interests - CBBEP has Maritime Commerce & Dredging as a priority study area - GBEP has focused on seafood safety & minimizing boater waste & sewer overflows - Some programs have greater research focus

8 ESTUARY PROGRAMS FACILITATE Access to Funding/Cost-Efficiencies Collaborations/Partnerships Informed Decision-Making Project Implementation Regional Recognition

9 Wetland restoration Oyster reef restoration via shell recycling Shoreline protection Colonial waterbird habitat protection and management plans Habitat preservation & acquisition Habitat creation via dredge material Implementation of pollution prevention practices Seafood Consumption Advisories State of the Bay Report & Symposium Watershed protection & planning Bacterial implementation plans Invasive species guide books Drive and Discover Galveston Bay guide Workshops on many topics Waterbird monitoring Bay Day Festival Trash Bash Marsh Mania Abandon Crab Trap Removal Bike Around the Bay Paddling events Back the Bay Campaign Cease the Grease Campaign Public access projects

10 Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program Would benefit all South Texas counties Potentially increase: Habitat preservation & restoration Public education & awareness Tourism Collaborative partnerships Funding for projects

11 Carla G. Guthrie, Ph.D. Director of the Surface Water Division

12 Estuary Programs in Texas: Vehicles of Action for Society and Environment Carla G. Guthrie, Ph.D., Director, Surface Water Division, Texas Water Development Board Texas has two National Estuary Programs and several non-profit organizations working to protect, preserve, and advocate for four of our seven significant estuarine systems along the Texas Coast. Presently, the Galveston, San Antonio, and coastal bend bays of Copano, Aransas, Corpus Christi, Nueces, and Upper Laguna Madre benefit from organizations focused on coordinating conservation and management efforts and in promoting public education of these estuaries. Together, these programs pull together unique partnerships representing local, state, and federal government, industry, recreational and commercial fishing, maritime interests, and more. Their efforts also leverage funding contributions to support important studies, such as seafood safety advisories, watershed protection, and pollution loading, and to implement habitat preservation and restoration of wetlands, oyster reefs, rookery islands, etc. However, the authorization for each program varies enough to influence their individual activities and contributions to the overall efforts to protect and promote Texas estuaries. Of the numerous estuary-focused organizations along the coast, none are established to support the preservation and management needs of the Lower Laguna Madre. The presence of such a program to serve South Texas coastal counties of Cameron, Willacy, and Kenedy and the surrounding region cannot be overstated. An estuary program creates the opportunity for managing and leveraging funds as well as a forum for stakeholders to join in collaborative partnerships for action and to participate in shared decision-making. This presentation will provide an overview of the services provided by the various types of estuary programs in Texas to better guide decision-makers in setting up the most appropriate structure for the Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program.

13 From your experience as a member of the Galveston Bay Council and a representative of the Texas Water Development Board, Is there a role that the Texas Water Development Board should have in the development of the Laguna Madre Estuary Program? The Texas Water Development Board has supported a Bays & Estuaries Program since 1967, primarily focusing on freshwater inflow needs to estuaries. With this focus, TWDB has broadly interacted with state and federal agencies, non-profits, universities and many others to collect and analyze data to better understand the Texas estuaries. This has included our participation in supporting the directions and efforts of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program. According to the Texas Estuaries Act (TWC 5.601, 5.605; (1999)), state agencies such as the TWDB [TGLO, TPWD, TxDOT, TSSWCB, TRC] shall participate and provide assistance to the estuary programs in developing their Comprehensive Coastal & Management Plans [CCMPS]. I believe that our role will be similar to the support we have provided to the other estuary programs and will include providing scientific information about the estuary system and if requested, guidance towards developing a management plan. In addition, the TWDB administers the Clean Water State Revolving Fund which now considers estuary management projects - as identified in the NEP CCMPs - as eligible for low-cost financing For more information, see the TWDB booth.