GALVESTON BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM
Galveston Bay Council
January 22, 2014 Minutes
Galveston Bay Council Chair: Ceil Price (City of Houston)
Galveston Bay Council Vice-Chair: Nancy Parra (League of Women Voters)
Estuary Program Staff Lead: Sarah Bernhardt (GBEP)
The January 22, 2014 quarterly Galveston Bay Council meeting was held at Harris-Galveston
Subsidence District, 1660 West Bay Area Blvd., Houston, Texas, from 9:32 AM to 12:15 PM
Members Present: Scott Alford (USDA), Glenn Clingenpeel (TRA), Mark Fisher (TxDOT),
Rebecca Hensley (TPW), Kelly Holligan (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TCEQ),
John Huffman (US Fish and Wildlife), John Jacob (Sea Grant), Doug Jacobson (U.S. EPA),
Brian Koch (Texas State Soil & Water), Michael Lee (US Geological Survey), Garry McMahan
(Port of Houston Authority), Carolyn Murphy (US Army Corps), Nancy Parra (League of Women
Voters), Ceil Price (City of Houston), Hanadi Rafai (University of Houston), Linda Shead (Other
Conservation Organization), Matthew Still (Coastal Conservation Association-CCA), Michael
Talbott (Harris County Flood Control Dist); Charlie Teague (Texas Railroad Commission -RRC),
Lori Traweek (GCWDA); Tracy Woody (Jeri’s Seafood, Inc.); Heather Young (NOAA)
Members/Delegate: Carla Guthrie (TWDB)/Caimee Schoenbaechler, Bob Stokes (GBF)/Scott
Jones; Jeff Taebel (H-GAC)/Todd Running
Members Absent: Bill Baker (Utilities), Gregory Biddinger (Industry), Beth Everage (GHP),
Albert Gonzales (Citizen), Dennis Harris (City of Texas City), Jace Houston (San Jacinto River
Authority), Kristin Lambrecht (Tx Dept. of Agriculture); Helen Paige (Marina Bay Harbor), Ana
Partin (Axiall), Denys Rivas (US Coast Guard); Mary Beth Stengler (Chamber-Liberty County
Navigation Dist.), Sharron Stewart (GBC), Chuck Wemple (H-GAC); Kirk Wiles (TDSHS); Kate
Zultner (TX General Land Office)
Others Present: Joseph DeFazio (City of Houston), Lisa Gonzales (HARC), Audrey Kublenz
(RRC), Gena Leathers (Dow Chemical), Carl Masterson (Former GBC Chair), Katie Sears
(GCHD), Kerry Niemann (TCEQ), Nakeya Norman (TRRC), Rose Sobel (U of H), Glenda
Callaway (GBF), Antonietta Quigg (TAMUG), Lisa Gonzalez (HARC), Audrey Kuklenz (TRRC),
GBEP Staff: Sarah Bernhardt (Program Manager), Cynthia Clevenger (Comm. Relations
Specialist), Lindsey Lippert (Natural Resources Uses {NRU} Coordinator), Mary Stiles (PPE
Outreach/Education Coordinator), Michelle Weber (Technical Programs Coordinator)
Call to Order: Introduction of Members and Delegates
Ms. Ceil Price (Chair) called the meeting to order for introduction of members, delegates, and
guests to introduce themselves and their organizations.
Action Item: Dedication of meeting in honor of Glenda Callaway
Ms. Ceil Price announced to the Council a recent loss of a friend to the bay, Mr. Richard
Browning. Ms. Price asked the Council members if anyone would like to say a few words
preceding the action item. Glenn Clingenpeel spoke about Mr. Browning’s legacy in the Trinity
River. Ms. Price requested a moment of silence for Richard Browning.
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Ms. Price announced to the Council member Ms. Glenda Callaway would be retiring her position
as GBF Council chair and nominated Bob Stokes as her replacement. Ms. Price requested a
motion to the Council to dedicate January 22, 2014 meeting to Ms. Glenda Callaway. Ms. Linda
Shead motioned for approval, and Doug Jacobson seconded the motion for approval.
GBEP Program Manager Sarah Bernhardt presented Ms. Glenda Callaway with an award for her
appreciation years of service on the Galveston Bay Council 1990 to 2013.
Action Item: Approval of October 30, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Ms. Ceil Price announced to Council approval of the October 30, 2013 meeting minutes and
opened the floor for questions and comments. The motion was requested for approval of the
minutes and the minutes were approved by Council members.
Action Item: Nomination of Vice-Chair
Ms. Ceil Price requested to the Council a motion for nomination for a new Vice Chair. Mr. Mike
Talbott put forth a nomination to vote for Ms. Nancy Parra (League of Woman Voters), as the
new Vice Chair, Ms. Linda Shead second motion for the nomination.
Report of the Chairman
Ms. Ceil Price announced the Program was in the process of creating a Galveston Bay Plan
update/review document. The Budget and Planning (B&P) Subcommittee is meeting quarterly
(at least). There has not been a significant output yet.
On January 29, 2014, the Council nominations are going to TCEQ Agenda (Item 6). If anyone
would like to attend, you must arrive by 9:00 am to register to make comments; staff will be
present to assist. (TCEQ Agenda handouts were provided to the council).
Ms. Price also reminded meeting attendees that if anyone has issues that they would like to see
the Council consider, please bring to Sarah Bernhardt or B&P subcommittee members.
Report of the Program
GBEP Program Manager Sarah Bernhardt reported to the council Galveston Bay Estuary
Program updates (presentation sides attached).
Ms. Bernhardt announced to the Council an email to Mr. Tanner Johnson with NFWF
requesting information on the Gulf Environmental Benefit Funds.
Presentation 1:
Galveston Bay: Bioindicators and the health of this ecosystem. Antonietta Quigg,
Ph.D. Texas A&M University, Galveston
Dr. Quigg, a marine biologist, presented to the Council members the overall objectives of
freshwater inflows and different proxies, such as phytoplankton, influence of nutrient and
sediment loads and the different bioindicators (presentation slides attached).
Presentation 2:
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“How the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Backs the Bay, and how the Bay
backs them.” Matt Still, CCA Texas.
Mr. Matt Still presented to the Council members how CCA backs the Bay. CCA would like for
people to fish and record catch size, species and location to see the impact of their oyster reef
restoration study (presentation slides attached).
Presentation 3:
“How the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) & Chambers-Liberty County
Navigation District (CLCND) Back the Bay, and how the Bay backs them.” Mary
Beth Stengler (CLCND) and Charlie Teague (RRC).
Nakeya Norman (RRC) presented to the council how TRRC backs the Bay (slide presentation
attached). Ms. Norman reported on the SWR 8 (water protection), SWR 13 (casing and
cementing), and its new amendments SWR 14 (plugging).
Mr. Charles Teague reported to the Council RRC has state-wide rules that back and protect
pollution from entering the Bay. It may be possible for RRC to use RESTORE money to remove
old abandoned will pipelines.
Discussion:
Feedback and dialog about how GBC member groups “Back the Bay” and how the
Bay backs them.
How Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District Backs the Bay: Turtle Bayou Project 511
acres upstream saves land from development, restore parts of the land and some management
needed.
Subcommittee Reports
Monitoring and Research
The M&R subcommittee met in December to hear a presentation by Hanadi Rafai, Ph.D.,
University of Houston. The subcommittee also discussed priorities for FY 2015 M&R projects for
the GBEP work plan.
Public Participation and Education (PPE)
Cynthia Clevenger, PPE coordinator, reported that the subcommittee met on Dec. 4, 2013 to
give new members a background on the Galveston Bay Plan and the process for the 2009
Strategic Action Plan. The subcommittee also received an update on the Back the Bay campaign
and reviewed new creative materials and gave feedback on the updated website proposal. Sarah
Bernhardt presented Plan review documents to the subcommittee for discussion.
Water/Sediment Quality (WSQ)
The WSQ subcommittee met in December to finalize the proposed WSQ projects for the FY 2015
GBEP work plan.
Natural Resource Uses (NRU)
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Lindsey Lippert, NRU coordinator an update on the subcommittee meeting held December 12,
2013. The committee discussed ongoing projects, reviewed previously submitted project
proposals, and began project planning for FY 2015. Sarah Bernhardt presented Plan review
documents to the subcommittee for discussion. The full minutes for the meeting were
distributed to the Council.
The next NRU meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2014.
Budget and Priorities (B&P)
The B&P subcommittee met in December to discuss the plan review progress, council seat
vacancies, and nominations.
Council Member Roundtable: News and Announcements
Dr. John Jacob, a wetlands and geoscience specialist (Texas AgriLife/Texas SeaGrant),
announced the EPA is revising its “significant nexus” legislation by revising the guidance and
connectivity report. The Council funded a study by Baylor University focusing on prairie pothole
wetlands and connectivity. Two publications were released noting a significant connection (up
to 20%) and a 90% water quality improvement. Dr. Jacob requested the report be submitted
formally from the Council to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Ceil Price asked for the study
to be distributed via PDF to the Council and asked that the action item be submitted to B&P for
consideration for the April Council agenda. Dr. Jacob also announced long-time Texas Coastal
Watershed Program staffer Chris La Chance had left the program to work for Urban Harvest.
Mike Lee (USGS) announced the Michael Turco has left USGS to work for the Harris-Galveston
Subsidence District.
John Huffman (USFWS Coastal Program) announced that agreements between SeaGrant and
the Coastal Program were in place to hold broad stakeholder group meetings on how we can
work together on Gulf restoration, stating this will bring a much needed public input component
to the process. The meetings are still a few months out.
Scott Jones (GBF) announced the Galveston Bay Foundation’s annual meeting on January 29,
2014. In addition, EPA will hold a meeting for the San Jacinto Waste Pits on January 30, 2014.
Todd Running (H-GAC) gave the flowing announcements:
•
Clean Rivers Program celebrates 20 years of successful water quality monitoring and
assessment, and implementation planning.
•
Jarbo Bayou TMDL meeting will be held on January 23, 2014 at the Clear Lake Court
House Annex.
•
San Jacinto River East and West Forks are hosting public meetings.
•
Clean Water Initiative will hold a workshop on January 29, 2014 for OSSFs and Water
Quality at Trash Bash will be held March 29, 2014 per Lori Traweek; event information
can be found at www.trashbash.org
Matthew Still (CCA Texas) announced the annual Crab Trap Removal event in February. A twoweek closure on traps will begin February 22, 2013.
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Kerry Niemann (TCEQ) announced the appointment of Zak Covar to fulfill the third
commissioner’s seat for TCEQ. Richard Hyde has been appointed Executive Director for the
agency. In addition, Mr. Niemann announced the following:
•
Dickinson Bayou I-Plan was approved by the commission.
•
Clean Water Initiative 2022 – replaced pace measure.
•
FY14 Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and TMDL – Basin Strategy
•
WAP process – states approach to addressing impaired water quality
•
NPS annual report under review
•
Water Quality Standards – public comment on revision – 2,000 comments
Ms. Ceil Price would like Kerry or Kelly Holligan to invite Commissioner Covar on a boat tour of
project sites in Galveston Bay.
Mr. Kelly Holligan, (TCEQ) added that Stephanie Bergeron-Perdue was appointed as Deputy
Executive Director for TCEQ.
Glenn Clingenpeel (Trinity River Authority) gave an update on Senate Bill 2 (passed by the TX
Legislature in 2001). The Texas Water Development Board will have LIDAR (remote sensing
technology) for the entire Trinity River Basin and long-term monitoring sites. Current data
indicates a healthy system.
Glenda Callaway stated that the last legislature made money available through Senate Bill 3
(2001). Approximate half the money went to the San Antonio/Guadalupe region and $312,500
went to the Trinity/San Jacinto, funding the Trinity River Authority, TAMUG, and USGS
activities.
Doug Jacobson (EPA) announced the scheduled public meeting for Natural Resource Damage
Assessment (NRDA) is on January 22, 2013 in Galveston.
Rebecca Hensley (TPWD) gave additional information on the annual crab trap removal. TPWD
will have four sites (Fat Boys-Galveston, Egret Bay-Clear Lake, Anahuac, and Chocolate Bayou)
for disposal from February 22 to March 1, 2014. TPWD is also considering Half-Moon and East
Bay closures, and some fishery regulation changes. They will begin the public hearing process in
February.
Public comments
No public comments were received.
Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 12:15pm
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Outline
Galveston Bay Estuary Program
•
•
•
•
•
WSQ/M&R Coordinator – status
RESTORE/NRDA
TCEQ Agenda – Nominations
Campaign – update
Plan review - status
Program Update
Galveston Bay Council Meeting
January 22, 2014
Staff Changes at GBEP
• WSQ/ M&R Coordinator – status
– Position is closed and we anticipate
having the newest member of our
team in the office on February 10th.
RESTORE/ NRDA Updates
• RESTORE / NRDA meetings
– NRDA meeting tonight
• 6:00 pm Open House
• 6:30 pm Public Meeting
Texas A&M University at Galveston, Seawolf
Parkway on Pelican Island
Auditorium, Class Room Lab Building, (Building
#3007 on campus map), Galveston, TX 77554
– NFWF press releases
RESTORE/ NRDA Updates
NFWF announces 5 Texas projects
• RESTORE / NRDA meetings
– NRDA meeting tonight
• 6:00 pm Open House
• 6:30 pm Public Meeting
Texas A&M University at Galveston, Seawolf
Parkway on Pelican Island
Auditorium, Class Room Lab Building, (Building
#3007 on campus map), Galveston, TX 77554
– NFWF press releases
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4/15/2014
Galveston Bay Council Nominations
Date: January 29, 2014
Location: TCEQ Agenda, Austin, Texas
What: Formal approval of the 22
nominations for GBC seats that were
approved by the council in the fall for
the 2013-2017 terms
Back the Bay – Campaign update
• New outreach booth for spring/summer events
Back the Bay –
Campaign update
• Website update
Back the Bay – Campaign update
•
•
•
•
Winter/spring campaign
New web banners
Production of two videos, 2-3 minutes each.
“Bay Briefings” newsletter, electronic distribution
http://www.chron.com/hunting-fishing/
• Houston Chronicle “takeover” page
2015 Plan Review
• Subcommittees are reviewing all 11
action plans
• Draft articles are being developed
• Anticipate a photo rich 40-50 page
document
– Content will be a guidebook to the
Galveston Bay Plan
– Providing updates, reviewing
accomplishments, and looking forward 10
years.
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7/8/2014
Flora and Fauna Responses to Freshwater Inflows in
Galveston Bay
Acknowledgements:
Tyra Booe
Dr. Antonietta Quigg
Professor
Departments of Marine Biology and Oceanography
Texas A&M University at Galveston
[email protected]
Allison McInnes
Jamie Steichen
Sam Dorado
Rachel
Windham
Marissa
Oldiges
Allison
Parnell
Allyson Burgess
Hannah
Preischel
Lauren Cucci
The objectives of the present program:
•
Examine the phytoplankton samples collected in 2008‐2012, •
High spatial and temporal resolution mapping of Galveston Bay water quality parameters,
•
Define influence of nutrient and sediment load on the phytoplankton in Galveston Bay, •
Determine the distribution of Vallisneria plants in relation to salinity gradients in Galveston Bay, •
Determine the distribution of Rangia clams in relation to salinity gradients in Galveston Bay, and
•
Using the data collected, develop a better understanding of the use of these flora and fauna as biological indicators of the effects of freshwater inflows in Galveston Bay. Station 1 Near Trinity River
Phytoplankton
•Monthly surveys completed to mid 2013
•Multi‐year data reveals patterns of when specific genera are observed
Mapping
Monthly 2‐day sampling trips conducted using a Dataflow to measure surface water quality Concurrently measures temperature, pH, dissolved
oxygen (DO), salinity, water clarity (beam
transmittance), chlorophyll a (in situ fluorescence), and
dissolved organic matter (DOM; in situ fluorescence).
Station 2 Mid‐Bay
Station 6 Near Gulf of Mexico
Taxonomic Distinctness of Phytoplankton in Galveston Bay: 2005‐06 and 2008‐12
‐station 1 has greatest diversity while stations 2 & 6 have less
‐drop is observed at all stations in 2010 & 2011
‐maybe associated with development and presence of a drought
GPS on board allows for geo‐referencing for all measurements for each variable
Can map water quality over temporal and spatial scales
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7/8/2014
Salinity
Example from 2009
‐ salinity in August (low flow) and November (high flow; after freshet)
Temperature (°C)
Chlorophyll (ug/L)
Dissolved organic matter (mg/L)
Transparency (%)
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7/8/2014
Spatial and temporal patterns of salinity
• 2010 – pre‐drought year
• 2011 – drought year
• 2012 – post‐drought year, allowing us to examine recovery
• Next slide
January, March, June and October 2010, 2011 & 2012
Color scale the same on all figures
250
Upper Trinity Basin
Bioassay in 2012
200
150
• March (blue) – high flow
• July (green) – low flow
100
50
Nutrient and sediment loading
0
C
N
A
P
Si
March
250
NA
NP
ALL
G
S
NP
ALL
G
S
ALL
G
S
July
Mid Bay
200
150
100
50
0
C
•Completed bioassays N
A
P
•Reveal that phytoplankton biomass is either Nitrogen or Nitrogen and Phosphorus co‐limited in the bay Si
March
250
NA
July
Lower Bay
200
• N‐nitrate, A‐ammonium, NA, NP, All treatments responded significantly more than the control consistent with previous findings of N limitation and/or NP co‐limitation
•
“Sediment” treatments revealed alleviation of light‐limitation in March (higher chl) but not in July
150
•Ammonium elicited similar response to the addition of nitrate in terms of chlorophyll biomass but a 100
different part of the phytoplankton community responded – suggest we follow this in coming years 50
to examine long term, if any, consequences
0
C
N
A
P
Si
March
NA
NP
July
Bioassays in 2012
plus…
water quality values
(A) Clusters A & B dominated by samples from Feb‐May & Oct‐Nov
= periods of higher flows, more nutrients and sediments
Cluster C dominated by samples from June‐Sep
= periods of lower flows and warmer temperatures and more chlorophyll Vallisneria americana (Wild Celery)
•Continuing surveys this spring
(B) Clusters A & B had the highest fucoxanthin, alloxanthin and peridinin concentrations
=diatoms, cryptophytes & dinoflagellates
•In terms of a bioindicator for Galveston Bay, perhaps best only to show impact of extremely low flows and provide caution Cluster C had the highest chlorophyll b and zeaxanthin
=greens and cyanobacteria
•
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7/8/2014
Rangia cuneata
(Atlantic Rangia)
Ruppia maritima
(widgeongrass, ditch‐grass or tassel pondweed)
•a salt‐tolerant freshwater species
•Pattern of decline in populations since 1980’s observed in both Galveston Bay and •Utilized by birds and aquatic animals
Sabine; we have requested data sets for other estuaries but limited data available •Potential as a bioindicator???
down the coast
•Bioindicator suitability for Galveston Bay still to be determined – of proxies measured, sex ratios provide best information on freshwater inflows
•Additional data will be collected across 2014 – TPWD/SWG funding
Rangia Distribution in Galveston Bay
1980s
1990s
Updated TxBLEND
model
2000s
Current
•TxBLEND is a two‐dimensional, depth‐averaged hydrodynamic and salinity transport model used to simulate salinity conditions in bays (TWDB) •The model allows a comparison between observed and simulated data
•We* updated the TxBLEND model outputs for 1983‐2012
* (with Mr. Joe Trungale; Trungale Engineering and Science)
Daily average salinities predicted by TxBLEND
compared with dataflow measured salinities ‐August 16, 2010.
High resolution dataflow maps generated for salinity TWDB Datasonde sites (long‐term water quality data collection sites) Computational grid for the Galveston Bay TxBLEND model •TXBlend model (TWDB) is used to generate isohaline maps (previous slide)
•Compare TXBlend predictions with observed salinities – datasondes/dataflow
•Adjust TXBlend outputs and increase efficacy of this approach
Time series of salinity measured with the dataflow at station 21 (red) compared to modeled salinity at the nearest TxBLEND Node (1833; blue)
‐ June 2008 to December 2012.
4
7/8/2014
The objectives of future efforts:
•
Examine the phytoplankton samples collected in 2008‐2012, •
High spatial and temporal resolution mapping of Galveston Bay water quality parameters,
•
Define influence of nutrient and sediment load on the phytoplankton in Galveston Bay, •
Determine the distribution of Vallisneria plants in relation to salinity gradients in Galveston Bay, •
Determine the distribution of Rangia clams in relation to salinity gradients in Galveston Bay, and
•
Using the data collected, develop a better understanding of the use of these flora and fauna as biological indicators of the effects of freshwater inflows in Galveston Bay. • Findings are being used to develop intense process‐based understanding of the linkages between the magnitude of freshwater inflows and nutrient loading on primary productivity for the Galveston Bay ecosystem.
• Particular important given water rights issues which are currently being debated in Texas (Senate Bill 3).
•Important given changes in land use & land coverage
December 2013 sampling day
Thanks for the continued support!
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4/15/2014
Oyster Restoration and
Fishing Assessment
How does
Coastal Conservation Association –
Texas
Back the Bay?
Matt Still
CCA-Texas
A partnership between CCA-Texas and
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Oyster Restoration
After 3
Months
After 9
Months
After 6
Months
Scientific Fishing Study
9 Fishing
Sites:
3 Natural
Reef Control
Sites
• 3 Restoration
Sites
• 3 2 Middle
Reef
BACI Design:
•
•
•
•
•
Before
After
Control
Impact
WE WANT YOU !
TO FISH FOR US!
= Fishing Site
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4/15/2014
Questions?
Thank you!
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4/15/2014
RRC Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve Texas by our
stewardship of natural resources and the
environment, our concern for personal and
community safety, and our support of
enhanced development and economic
vitality for the benefit of Texans.
The Railroad Commission of Texas
Backs the Bay
January 22, 2014
Nakeya D. Norman
Engineering Specialist II
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How We “Back the Bay”
A few SWR’s that “Back the Bay” include:
• §3.8 – Water Protection
• §3.13 – Casing, Cementing, Drilling & Completion
Requirements
• §3.14 – Plugging
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Houston District Office 03
1706 Seamist Drive
Houston, TX 77008
(713)869-5001
• Charlie Teague, Director
• [email protected]
• Peter Fisher, Assistant Director
• [email protected]
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