| Meeting Information |
To visit the H-GAC website for a list of all upcoming meetings
click here.
To get a list of other environmentally related meetings and events in our region
click here.
 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, H-GAC will provide for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities attending H-GAC functions. Requests should be received 24 hours prior to the function. Call the meeting organizer to make arrangements.
As part of our commitment to Going Green,  H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department encourages meeting attendees to bring their own mug or cup to all meetings.
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| Banner Photo |
Photo by Marcus Tantillo. Juvenile Night Heron at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.
Would you like for us to consider featuring your municipality, program or regional photo on the C&E Planning Update banner? Just forward your picture, along with some information about the subject and the photographer, and you might see it in a future month's newsletter.
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| Registration Open for Revitalization Roundtable |
|  Learn how your community can create an attractive and functional downtown at the Bringing Back Main Street: Revitalization Roundtable on Thursday, January 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, 1000 S. Friendswood Drive.
Speakers include:
- Kent Marsh, Vice President, Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc.
- Amanda Thorin, Sustainable Development Program Specialist, H-GAC
Not only will participants learn about urban design and supportive funding initiatives, but there will be an opportunity for networking with people working to improve the region's downtowns. Space is limited. Register today. |
| Survey to Help Prioritize Economic Development Strategies |
|  What do we need to do to improve the region's economy?
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the regional plan for economic development. The CEDS analyzes the regional economy, establishes regional economic goals and strategies, and outlines a plan of action. The Gulf Coast Economic Development District is examining which strategies and actions for implementation in 2016. Please complete a brief survey to help us with this prioritization effort. The survey closes Friday, January 15. |
| We Want to Hear About Your Experiences in Greenway Plaza |
|  H-GAC is partnering with Cousins Properties to identify projects, policies, and programs that could make it easier to walk and bike around Greenway Plaza, one of Houston's largest employment centers.
Public meetings and other events will be announce this month, and anyone living, working, and playing in Greenway Plaza can share their ideas for improving the area. Take a survey to tell us about your experiences traveling around Greenway Plaza. The survey closes Friday, January 15. |
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H-GALDC Wraps Up Busy 2015
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| After 14 years, Alan Kwan, left, outgoing LDC Board of Director President, received a plaque to commemorate his service during the December Board and Membership meeting at Fernando's in Sugar Land. Brent Swanson, LDC Operations Manager, right, welcomes newly elected Board President Missy Malechek. |
Last year was busy for the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC). A new manager, Brent Swanson, joined the team in June, and Shana Griffin and Judy Przyborski have been working with him to enhance the department with new operational procedures. In Small Business Administration (SBA) fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, H-GALDC obtained three SBA 504 loan approvals totaling $2,762,000. A loan that was funded and closed in 2015 resulted in the creation of 36 jobs ($1,504,000 to help finance the construction of a new Berryhill's restaurant in Houston). H-GALDC is a certified development company (CDC) that was created in the early 1980s by H-GAC to promote economic development and job creation throughout the 13-county region. However, H-GALDC is licensed throughout the state of Texas as a SBA 504 CDC.
The SBA 504 Loan Program utilizes both bank and SBA loans to finance up to 90% (50% bank loans, 40% from the SBA), which means a borrower may only need a 10% down payment (cash or project equity). The program is designed to help for-profit businesses either buy or build owner-occupied real estate and/or purchase capital equipment with a useful life of 10 years or more. Projects typically range from $500,000 up to $10 million.
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|  Focus On - Pedestrian - Bicyclist Publications
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H-GAC's Pedestrian-Bicyclist Program coordinates programs and projects that improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the region. One resource offered is a library of publications for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transportation planners.
All publications are available online or in print by contacting Andrew Pompei at 832-681-2598.
Commuting
End-of-Trip Facilities: A Planning Guide for the Houston-Galveston Region identifies different types of end-of-trip facilities businesses and public agencies can provide to make it easier for employees and visitors to arrive by bike. The guide is organized into three sections addressing bicycle parking (Lock Up), bicycle repair (Tune Up), and changing facilities (Clean Up).
Bicycling for Transportation: Your Guide to an Active Commute provides helpful tips for making your bike commute fun and safe.
Mapping
The Regional Bikeway Map shows existing and proposed bicycle facilities (bicycle lanes, shared-use paths, etc.) within the Houston-Galveston region. Inset maps show local bicycle routes in Alvin, Baytown, Dickinson, Kingwood/Atascocita, La Porte, Lake Jackson, Pearland, Spring, Sugar Land/Missouri City, Texas City, The Woodlands, and Webster/League City/Clear Lake. An online, interactive Bikeway Viewer is also available.
Planning
Pedestrian Pathways: A Planning Guide for the Houston-Galveston Region identifies planning concepts, design guidelines, and helpful resources that can be used to create walkable communities.
Building Better Bikeways: A Planning Guide for the Houston-Galveston Region describes the fundamentals of bikeway planning and introduces emerging trends and best practices.
H-GAC's Pedestrian-Bicyclist Program also offers the 2040 Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, pedestrian and bicycle special district studies, A Primer on Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects, and the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Counts and Demand Estimation Study.
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| H-GAC Announces Winners of 2015 Parks and Natural Areas Awards |
| H-GAC is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Parks and Natural Areas Award competition. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. H-GAC received applications in four categories: Policy Tools, Planning Process, Projects On-the-Ground Over $500,000, and Projects On-the-Ground Under $500,000. On Tuesday, January 19, the H-GAC Board of Directors is scheduled to honor outstanding parks and natural areas projects during the regular Board meeting. A reception will follow.
Policy Tools: The SOWING Project, a project by the Men of Change, Inc., is the winner in the Policy Tools category. The Missouri City SOWING Project Community Garden encourages children and their families to focus on healthy eating habits through nutrition education and activities.
Planning Process: Willow Waterhole Public Access Plan, a project by Harris County Flood Control District, is the winner in the Planning Process category. The Willow Waterhole Public Access Plan provides a comprehensive vision for how to best transition the Prairie Management Area into an accessible and educational park. Planning Process Honorable Mention is Parks and Open Space Master Plan, a project by City of West University Place. Projects On-the-Ground Over $500K Mandell Park, a project by Friends of Mandell Park, is the winner in the Projects On-the-Ground Over $500K category. Mandell Park shows how a community can come together to transform an abandoned lot into a signature urban park celebrating sustainability, public art, and Meredith Gardens. Projects Over $500K Honorable Mention is Cypress Park, a project by Harris County Precinct 3 and Harris County Flood Control District. Projects On-the-Ground Under $500K Pine Gully Natural Park, a project by the City of Seabrook, and Universally Accessible Playground, a project by the City of Sugar Land, are the winners in the Projects On-the-Ground Under $500K category. Pine Gully Natural Park is designed and constructed using recycled materials, including fallen trees, decomposed granite, discarded tires, and cedar posts. The Universally Accessible Playground is for children of all ages and abilities and is the first of its kind in a City of Sugar Land public park. Projects Under $500K Honorable Mention is Fortsmith Street Woonerf, a project by the Energy Corridor District. Special recognition is also given in the following categories: Planning Process
- Cypress Creek Greenway Trails Master Plan (Cypress Creek Greenway Parks and Trails Coordinating Board)
- Greens Bayou Paddle Trail (Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition)
- Richmond Trails Master Plan (City of Richmond)
Projects On-the-Ground Under $500,000
- McGovern Centennial Gardens (Hermann Park Conservancy)
- North Houston Skate Park (Greater Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority)
- San Bernard Boat Ramp Construction (Brazoria County)
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| Save the Date for CWI Workshop |
|  Save the date for the next Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) Workshop, Emerging Trends in Wastewater Treatment Technology, on Tuesday, February 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
Speakers from the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority and Adurra Group will discuss current trends and emerging technologies in wastewater treatment, as well as answer audience questions.
2016 CWI sponsors are:
For more information, contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579. |
| Trash Bash® Seeks Sponsors, Volunteers for Annual Waterway Cleanup |
|  Texas's largest single-day waterway cleanup, the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash®, is set for Saturday, April 2.
Become a Sponsor. Trash Bash® is made possible through generous contributions and support by sponsors. Various sponsorship levels and benefits make it possible for your organization to become a Trash Bash® partner and make a positive impact on local waterways. The deadline to be included on printed materials is Friday, January 29.
Volunteers Needed. Since its inception, more than 98,000 volunteers have collected more than 2,100 tons of trash, 1.3 tons of recyclable materials, and 9,600 tires. Find out how to volunteer and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed at one of 15 locations. |
| Camera-Sharing Program Helps to Combat Illegal Dumping |
|  To help track and reduce illegal dumping, H-GAC offers surveillance cameras and accompanying accessories through a sharing program. The cameras can capture clear videos day or night, including license plates of cars traveling up to 50 mph.
Participation in the program is for local governments within the 13-county H-GAC region and involves specific agreements, including a commitment to use the cameras for solid waste purposes 100 percent of the time and report results to H-GAC. To allow easier access to local governments, ownership of the cameras has been transferred to Fort Bend, Galveston, and Walker counties. To access the cameras, borrow them from one of those three counties. For more information, contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525. |
| Pedestrian-Bicyclist Counters Available |
|  H-GAC has temporary pedestrian-bicyclist counters available for use by local governments to count the number of people using sidewalks and/or trails, giving implementing entities and H-GAC a better understanding of the demand and use of these facilities. For information about borrowing the counters, contact Andrew Pompei at 832-681-2598. |
| Registration Continues for State of the Bay Symposium |
|  Registration remains open for the Galveston Bay Estuary Program's 10th Annual State of the Bay Symposium: 20 Years of Successfully Preserving Galveston Bay on January 13-14, at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center, Galveston.
Hear from regional leaders and local experts and connect with other leading scientists and natural resource management experts. An agenda is available, including the following sessions led by H-GAC staff:
- Public Outreach Toolbox by Amanda Thorin
- Flushing Out Onsite Sewage Facility (OSSF) Problems: Innovative Mapping and Education Help Lead the Way by Will Merrell
- Watershed Protection Planning: Stakeholder Involvement - Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership by Justin Bower
- Designing for Impact: Promoting Low Impact Development in the Houston-Galveston Region by Mary Martha Gaiennie
- Trash Bash: 22 Years of Education and Outreach on Trash Pollution in the Galveston Bay Watershed by Rebecca Begley
Online registration ends Tuesday, January 12. Registration is $249 in advance and $275 at the door. |
| Houston Bike Plan to Be Released Later This Month |
The City of Houston is finishing the draft Houston Bike Plan, which will be released this spring.
Following the release, activities designed to collect public feedback on plan recommendations
will begin online. City of Houston staff will be at outreach events and meetings in communities across the city to ask if they got it right or if there is something they missed.
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| Mark Your Calendars for Annual Harris County Onsite Wastewater Seminar |
|  Plans are underway for the sixth annual Harris County Onsite Wastewater Seminar scheduled for Tuesday, May 3. Registration will open in April.
Forward your suggestions for topics to Danielle Cioce.
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| KTB Awards Honor Communities, Businesses, Media Outlets, and Individuals |
 Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is kicking off its awards season by accepting applications for the Governor's Community Achievement Award (GCAA) program. These awards recognize Texas communities with the best grassroots environmental programs, and the 10 winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards.
GCAA applications are due Tuesday, February 9. Awards training (via webinar on January 7, 12 and 21) is available to help applicants through the process. Topics include tips and tools for writing award applications, understanding the judging process, and effectively organizing and presenting a community's award application. Additional KTB awards programs will recognize the efforts of individuals, schools, businesses, media outlets, and communities who work to keep the environment clean. The Keep Texas Beautiful Awards celebrate the efforts of individuals, groups, and government agencies who work to enhance their communities. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, February 16. The Youth and Educator Awards honor extraordinary students, educators, and volunteers working to improve and beautify their communities. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, May 3.
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| KTB Announces Registration for Great American Cleanup |
|  Plans are underway across the country for the Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, from March 1 to May 31. Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is asking everyone planning to host a cleanup event during this time to register to gain access to valuable resources and materials for planning, promoting, and hosting the event, such as trash bags, banners, gloves, and giveaways. Also, be sure to add your event to the KTB calendar. In addition to offering an event planning and implementation toolkit, KTB has also scheduled a free planning webinar on Tuesday, January 19 at 11 a.m. |
| Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference Set for March 9-11 in Houston |
|  The Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference will be March 9-11 at the Houston Marriott Medical Center, 6580 Fannin Street.
The theme of this conference is Future Trails: Planning Spaces, Connecting Places. This three-day statewide conference features international, national, and state experts, plus networking and off-site mobile workshops and exhibits.
Early registration continues through Monday, February 15, and fees range from $175 to $400. |
| Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtable to Focus on Wildlife and Exotic/Invasive Species |
|  The Texas Water Resources Institute will host the Texas Watershed Coordinator Roundtable Monday, January 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM '56 Equine Complex, 3240 F&B Road, College Station.
The main theme is addressing wildlife and exotic/invasive species in watershed planning. Presentations/panel discussions will include the following topics:
- Overview on Wildlife and Watershed Planning
- Wildlife Populations in Texas
- Bacteria Fate, Transport, Growth & Persistence Study Results
- Panel on Management Measures for Addressing Wildlife Sources
- Panel on Watershed Coordinator Efforts to Address Wildlife/Exotics
- NPS Program Perspectives
- Upcoming Trainings
Lunch includes a burger (beef or veggie) and costs $10, or participants may bring their own lunch. Online registration is required by Wednesday, January 6. More information about lunch payment is also available online. |
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TCEQ to Host Small Domestic Wastewater Systems Asset Management Workshops
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|  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will host wastewater treatment plant asset management workshops beginning this year. These free workshops will help system owners, managers, and operators create an inventory and budget, identify operation and maintenance needs, assist with compliance, and provide operational resources. Wastewater operators can earn 3.5 CEUs for participating in one of these workshops.
Workshops will be Wednesday, January 13, in Round Rock; Wednesday, February 10, in McKinney; and Thursday, February 11, in Hillsboro. A workshop in the Houston area may be scheduled later in the year.
More information about the workshops, including specific addresses, times, and registration information, is available online or by calling 800-477-2827. |
| Scenic City Certification Program Announces 2016 Standards |
 The Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas in cooperation with H-GAC, Texas Municipal League, and several additional partners, will accept applications from January 1 through March 31.
The program supplies cities an objective review of existing infrastructure ordinances for public roadways and public spaces, evaluated based on the Scenic City model. Assessments are points-based with every applicant receiving a detailed, scored evaluation. The Scenic City information packet with updated 2016 model standards is now available for download. A new step has been added to the Scenic City application process. All new applicant cities and re-certifying Scenic Cities will participate in a short phone orientation with staff prior to beginning the application. Email [email protected] to schedule a phone orientation. Please include two or three available dates and times.
Cities earning the highest points are certified for five years. Currently there are 58 certified Scenic Cities in Texas, including 11 in the H-GAC region: Friendswood, Houston, Magnolia, Missouri City, Nassau Bay, Pearland, Seabrook, Sealy, Sugar Land, Webster, and West University Place.
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Save the Date for the National Rural Transportation Conference
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|  The National Rural Transportation Conference will be June 13-15 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This training event focuses on rural and small metro regional transportation. Registration opens in April.
There's still time to submit a presentation abstract for this conference. The deadline is Thursday, January 21.
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Smart Growth Conference Set for February 11-13
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|  Registration continues for the 15th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference on February 11-13 in Portland, Oregon. The conference includes sessions and tours showcasing strategies for encouraging equitable development.
Topics include:
- Ethics, Equity and Sustainable Communities
- Citizen Ingenuity and Impact Assessment
- Collaborative Problem-Solving through Public Interest Design
The registration deadline is Thursday, January 21. Registration fees range from $195 to $350. |
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News from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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|  Protecting Drinking Water from Harmful Algal Blooms
Algal toxins are a growing problem in the United States. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce algal toxins that can cause fish kills and contaminate drinking water supplies. EPA has released a comprehensive strategic plan outlining actions to address algal toxins in drinking water. Solving this complex challenge to our drinking water will require action at all levels of government and approaches that are collaborative, innovative, and persistent.
Acting Assistant Administrator Joel Beauvais offers a blog post on the next steps EPA is taking to protect drinking water.
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Funding Opportunities
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CIRD Workshop Funding
The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is seeking proposals from rural communities interested in applying for
funding to host a community design workshop in either 2016 or 2017. Six communities will be selected through this annual, competitive process. Selected communities will receive technical assistance from a team of experts who have experience working on downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and transportation planning. In addition to this technical assistance (valued at $35,000), successful applicants will receive a $10,000 stipend (one-to-one match required). Proposals are due
Tuesday, January 12, 2016.
TPWD Recreational Trail Grants
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) is accepting applications for the
Recreational Trail Program. This is a reimbursable grant program to cover up to 80 percent of project costs with a maximum of $200,000 for nonmotorized trail grants and $400,000 for motorized off-highway vehicle grants. Funds can be spent on both motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail projects that are open and accessible to the general public, such as the construction of new recreational trails, improving existing trails, developing trailheads or trailside facilities, and acquiring trail corridors. The deadline to apply is
Monday, February 1, 2016.
TCEQ Texas Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan program is accepting applications for
Emissions Reduction Incentives Grants designed to reduce air pollution. Owners of eligible vehicles and equipment in counties in the nonattainment or near-nonattainment areas for national ambient air quality standards are eligible for funding. The deadline to apply is
Tuesday, February 2, 2016.
NFWF Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking applications for the
2016 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program. This program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality and watersheds and the species and habitats they support. The deadline to apply is
Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
TWDB State Water Implementation Fund for Texas
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) is seeking applications for the second round of financial assistance. Eligible projects must be included in the adopted 2016 Regional Water Plans and the subsequent 2017 State Water Plan. Abridged applications are due by
Friday, February 5.
EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Grants
The U.S. EPA is seeking applicants for a total of $1.2 million in
Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving grants. Cooperative agreements may be awarded to local community-based organizations seeking to address environmental and/or public health concerns in their communities through collaboration with other stakeholders, such as state and local governments, industry, academia, or non-governmental organizations. The deadline to apply is
Friday, February 12, 2016.
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is accepting grant applications to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under
EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Proposals and applications will be accepted
on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new funding opportunity notice.
Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grants
Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grants help state and local organizations take advantage of unexpected opportunities to win, increase, or preserve funding for biking and walking. Detailed guidelines, criteria, and application requirements are available
online.
Rapid Response Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
All content, including links to other websites, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.
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| Community and Environmental Planning |
| Grant Programs H-GAC's Community Enhancement Grants are designed to help municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations enhance public spaces, such as gateways, parks, waterfronts, and business districts. Loan Programs H-GAC's Community and Environmental Planning Department currently manages three loan programs------the Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program, the Business Loan Fund, and the Government Loan Fund.  The SBA 504 Loan Program provides long-term business expansion financing for real estate, construction and equipment purchases.
The Business Loan Fund assists small businesses in the Houston-Galveston region.
The Government Loan Fund assists local governments and school districts in the Houston-Galveston region.
Anyone interested in applying for a loan or getting more information should contact [email protected]. Mapping Applications and GIS Data  If you are looking for maps, mapping applications, or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department, visit www.h-gac.com/go/cegis to see the latest information, including Census, Regional Forecast, and more. Map Book provides maps in several formats for printing. Mobile applications are available.
Facebook  H-GAC has a Facebook page where information about current and upcoming events is posted. Please visit and like H-GAC's page. While there, visit other H-GAC pages on Facebook, including Recycling, Trash Bash, Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG), and Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership.
Twitter  Find the latest information about activities around the region at H-GAC's Twitter Feed @hgaccog. H-GAC's water resources department program also offers Twitter updates on water quality issues in the region, including fish consumption advisories, @HGACwater.
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