GALVESTON BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM
Galveston Bay Council
“FINAL”
January 26, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Galveston Bay Council Chair: Linda Shead, Other Conservation Organization
Galveston Bay Council Vice-Chair: Gregory Biddinger (Industry)
Estuary Program Staff Lead: Helen Drummond, Program Director
The January 26, 2011 quarterly Galveston Bay council meeting was held at Armand Bayou
Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, Texas, from 9:30 AM to 11:15 PM.
Members Present: Scott Alford (NRCS), Bill Baker (Utilities), Gregory Biddinger (Industry),
Glenda Callaway (Galveston Bay Foundation), Brian Diner (US Coast Guard), Albert Gonzales
(Citizen), Dennis Harris (Galveston County), John Huffman (US Fish & Wildlife), John Jacob
(Tx AgriLife Ext.), Doug Jacobson (USEPA), Jim Kachtick (Greater Houston Partnership), Brian
Koch (Tx State Soil and Water Conservation Board), Garry McMahan (Port of Houston), Glenn
Miller (Citizen), Helen Paige (Marina Rep), Ana Partin (East Harris County Manufacturer
Association), Nancy Parra (League of Women Voters), Rifal Hanadi (University of Houston),
Gail Rothe (TCEQ), Linda Shead (Other Conservation Organization), Lori Traweek (Gulf Coast
Waste Disposal Authority), Jayo Washington (Coastal Conservation Assoc.), Chuck Wemple (H-
GAC), Tracy Woody (Jeri’s Seafood), Heather Young (NOAA)
Members/Delegate: Reed Eichelberger (San Jacinto River Authority)/Kim Wright, Guy
Grossman (Tx Railroad Commission)/Randall S. Johnston, Rebecca Hensley (Tx Parks and
Wildlife Dept.)/William (Jamie) Schubert, Carolyn Murphy (USACE)/Janelle Stokes, Ceil Price
(City of Houston)/Debbie Guillory, Sharron Stewart (Galveston Bay Council)/Charlotte Wells,
Jeff Taebel (H-GAC)/Todd Running, Michael Talbott (Large Local Government)/Catherine
Elliott, Michael Turco (US Geological)/Mike Lee, George Willcox (Small Local
Governments)/Mary Beth Stengler, Kate Zultner (Tx GLO)/Melissa Porter
Members Absent: Jennifer Bailey (Tx Dept. of Agriculture)*****, Richard Browning (Trinity
River Authority)*, Carla Guthrie (TX Water Development Board), Norm King (Tx Dept. Of
Transportation), Kirk Wiles (Tx Dept. of State Health Services) GBEP Staff Absent: Helen
Drummond (GBEP Director), Steven Johnston (Water/Sediment Quality {WSQ} &
Monitoring/Research {MR} Coordinator)
GBEP Staff:, Cynthia Brum (Comm. Relations Specialist). Lindsey Lippert (Natural Resources
Uses {NRU} Coordinator), Ericka McCauley (Public Information Officer), Mary Stiles (PPE
Outreach/Education)
Others Present: Monica Harris (TCEQ), Bob Stokes (GBF), John Flach (USCG), Carl
Masterson (Houston-Galveston Area Council), Kerry Whelan (RRI Energy)
Call to Order and Introductions:
Linda Shead, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM. Council members, delegates, and
visitors introduced themselves.
Action Item: Approval of October 27, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Linda Shead, Chair, asked for motion to approve minutes and open floor for discussion. Minutes
were approved.
Report of the Chairman
Linda Shead, Chair, reported that Helen Drummond would not be at the GBC meeting and that
Ericka McCauley would represent GBEP. Ms. Shead stated that subcommittee reports will not
be reported due to the time frame of the meeting, but there will be a roundtable discussion.
Ms. Shead reported that Carl Masterson (H-GAC) and Kerry Whelan (RRI Energy) have retired,
and thus will no longer serve on the Council in an official capacity. She noted their contributions
over the years and presented them with awards for their service as former Chairs. She also noted
that Jeff Taebel (H-GAC) and Bill Baker (RRI Energy, Utilities) have been selected to fill
Council slots for H-GAC and Utilities respectively. Carl Masterson and Kerry Whelan thanked
the council for their awards. Carl Masterson reported he would visit occasionally. Both look
forward to their retirement.
Report of the Estuary Program
Ms. McCauley provided an update on the status of the State of the Bay report. She noted that
TCEQ-Agency Communications is reviewing the document, and that the report is likely to be
available for distribution by April. Ms. McCauley stated that HARC and GBEP are coordinating
publicity for the release of the report, which is targeted to launch the Monday before Earth Day,
April 22.
Ms. McCauley also announced that GBEP is coordinating the Gulf Coast Restoration Ecosystem
Task Force (GCERTF) stakeholder meeting with John Hankinson, Executive Director for the task
force. The meeting is scheduled for February 2, 2011.
Ms. Shead also noted that Council members visited the TCEQ Commissioners to discuss the
value GBEP brings to partners and the region. A meeting with Commissioner Shaw will need to
be rescheduled.
Legislative Issues and Sunset Related Updates
Ms. Shead reported on Texas legislative issues, specifically the status of Coastal Coordination
Council (CCC). She noted that the Sunset Commission staff had recommended that the CCC be
continued for another 12 years, and implement a five-year coastal plan. The decision of the
Sunset Commission (that is, the actual legislative committee) was instead to abolish the CCC and
move its functions to the General Land Office (GLO). The Sunset Commission also directed the
GLO to form an Advisory Council (in place of the CCC), and provided for a one-year transition
period. Without legislative action, this decision would go into effect as of September 1, 2011.
Since the CCC membership included commissioners from the TCEQ, TPWD, and the RRC, Ms.
Shead asked the Council whether or not they thought it likely that these high-level people would
serve on an advisory council to GLO. Ms. Shead also pointed out the potential impacts from
abolishing the CCC, and noted that the lack of a CCC puts into question the future of coastal
management in Texas. Potential impacts include degrees of public involvement; NOAA
certification of the new/revised program; the potential for a super agency; and the potential need
for conducting another environmental impact statement.
Glenda Callaway wanted to know if the coastal management plan will still be in place if the CCC
is no longer there. She also asked if any other steps or meetings were taking place. Ms. Shead
informed the Council that the next step is to see what Commissioner Patterson and Senator
Whitmire (who serves on the Sunset Commission) have to say, and see a more positive attitude
towards CMP advisory. Ms. Shead stated that she plans to meet with Commissioner Patterson
and also with Senator Whitmire to discuss these concerns.
Melissa Porter (Tx GLO) reported that Ms. Shead raised good questions, and she plans to find
out more information. Ms. Porter noted that GLO will still have a CMP in place, but that the plan
will have to go to NOAA. Jim Kachtick reported that a legislative action is the only thing that
can overrule the Sunset Commission. John Jacob asked if it was a done deal. Mr. Jacobson
reported that the CCC is abolished unless the Legislature says otherwise, and then NOAA gives
GLO one year. Ms. Shead asked if the Galveston Bay Council would be interested in a
presentation to share information on what is going on in the bay. No information is being shared
with the public.
Monica Harris reported on updates from the January 12 Sunset Commission hearing. She noted
the Sunset recommended continuing TCEQ for another 12 years. Some of the recommendations
from Sunset included: transferring some TCEQ duties to the Texas Railroad Commission;
evaluating the need for a water master; and having water right holders provide water usage
information to the TCEQ upon request. Other updates from the TCEQ included: the SB 389
Emergency Power bill, which would amend legislation from last session requiring backup power
and emergency plans for Harris County and others; the TMDLs for Lake Houston are scheduled
for adoption at the March Commission Agenda meeting; the Bacteria Implementation Group
will be sending its TMDL Implementation Plan (I-Plan)out for informal review; the Gilleland
Creek I-Plan is scheduled for approval on the February 9th agenda; the Nonpoint Source grant
program received 22 applications, of those, nine were selected for funding; and TCEQ is
working with Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) on the no-discharge petition for Galveston Bay.
GBF will petition TCEQ and write to EPA as well.
In response to inquiries from Council members, Ms. Harris provided an update on the expected
budget cuts for TCEQ. She said that the TCEQ will evaluate all its options, but that it appeared
many TCEQ programs will be affected. Ms. Harris stated that there would likely be other
versions of the budget, but it remained to be seen what the final outcome would be until the end
of the legislative session.
Jamie Schubert (TPWD) reported that TPWD has sought flexibility in the proposed budget cuts.
He noted that other TPWD legislative priorities included extending the freshwater fishing stamp;
which funds hatcheries; and the oyster shell recovery program. Mr. Schubert stated the TPWD
staff was recommending to the TPWD Commission that no change in speckled seatrout limits be
adopted. The adoption of a white list for invasive aquatic species was removed from the
Commission Agenda.
John Huffman reported that Secretary Mathis is tasked with preparing a Gulf-wide strategy
(available on line) to restore the Gulf. The task force will provide details on implementation by
October. He also noted that there will be five work groups.
Todd Running reported that H-GAC met with KUHF (University of Houston Public Radio) to
discuss water quality issues and public involvement opportunities.
Heather Young reported Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force will hold a public
meeting on February 28, 2011 in New Orleans; she will forward information to the Council.
Roundtable Discussion- Council Member Updates, News and Announcements
Chuck Wemple reported that H-GAC will host an Outdoor Recreation and Heritage Tourism and
Local Food Movement.
John Jacob reported that SeaGrant has issued an RFP for research on coastal resiliency.
Albert Gonzales reported there will be a Celebration of Life at the ABNC in memory of Will
Roach, Sunday @ 1:00 pm.
Todd Running reported on the following from H-GAC: that the Natural Resource Advisory
Committee quarterly meeting is on February 3rd; Clean River Program report will be out in
March; the next BIG meeting will be held February 15th; H-GAC was awarded a sustainability
grant for 3.75 million; and Trash Bash is March 26.
Gail Rothe reported that there will be a Coastal Land Advisory Board meeting on February 7.
Monica Harris reported that there is a new Division Director Kelly Holligan. He replaced Kelly
Keel who is now the executive assistant to the Deputy Executive Director Zak Covar.
Linda Shead reported that the Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership group will be reconvening
soon to continue watershed planning and implementation efforts in Armand Bayou.
Randy Johnson of the Railroad Commission reported that Guy Grossman retired December 31.
Dennis Harris reported that the Clear Creek annual trash cleanup is February 19.
Jamie Schubert reported that golden algae (Brazos River) was found in the San Jacinto State
Park reflecting pool. GLO is approving Coastal Management Program Guidance document for
Cycle 17.
John Huffman announced that the annual USFWS crawfish boil is April 28. He also noted that
oil was found in Louisiana and the Bolivar area; however, the source is not from Deepwater
Horizon.
Heather Young announced that the week of December 5, 2011 a Gulf of Mexico Summit will be
held. Organizers include HARTE and GOMA Habitat Team.
Brian Koch reported the TSSWCB currently has two new watershed projects: one for Cedar
Bayou, and the other for Sheldon Lake.
Bob Stokes reported EPA has begun the Time Critical Action Removal at the San Jacinto Waste
Pit site by installing a protective barrier to surround two ponds at the site in an effort to address
the release of dibenozo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofurans into the river.
Doug Jacobson reported that the EPA is accepting nominations for the Gulf Guardian Award.
Sub-Committee Reports
Monitoring and Research, Water/Sediment Quality, and Budget and Priorities, Funding, and
Consistency Review committees did not meet during this quarter.
The Natural Resources Uses Committee met December 15, 2010. Tom Calnan gave an update on
the 2009-10 Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) cycle, and subcommittee members
discussed the status of projects to which the Estuary Program committed funding in FY 2008-10.
Lindsey Lippert gave an update on the Ostermayer Bayou Acquisition, Cherie O’Brien gave an
update on the McAllis Point and Starvation Gap restoration projects, and Matt Singer gave
updates on the Brazilian peppertree efforts as well as the Galveston Bay Habitat Management
project. Sonia Najera from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) gave a presentation on the SLAMM
Model for the Galveston Bay Region, and Jorge Brenner from TNC gave a presentation on an
Ecosystem Services and Adaptation Proposal.
The Public Participation and Education Subcommittee met December 14, 2010. Ms. McCauley
provided an update to the campaign; she noted that activities have been delayed due to delays in
execution of the work order. Ms. McCauley also reviewed the pre-campaign research results. She
noted the two audiences most receptive the campaign are those individuals that partake in a
outdoor activity more than once a month in or around the bay, and those individuals aware that
their storm drains are connected to Galveston Bay. Ms. McCauley said the brand of the
campaign is “Back the Bay”, and that a logo will be designed for it. The Subcommittee also
discussed coordination and partnership opportunities to regionalize bay-related communication
and outreach efforts.
Proposed changes to Council Quarterly meeting dates in 2011
The Council approved changing meeting dates from the fourth Wednesday to the third
Wednesday. New meeting dates for 2011 are April 20, July 20, and October 19.
Adjourn: 11:15AM