| 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 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 |
Stephen F. Austin Statue at Texas 288 and Texas 35 in Angleton (photo courtesy of Brazoria County Parks Department)
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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| Trash Bash® Set for April 2 |
|  It's Almost Time to "Clean It Like You Mean It!"
The 23rd annual River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash® is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at 15 sites around the region. This half-day event is the largest single-day waterway cleanup in Texas.
Help pick up trash and promote a healthy Galveston Bay watershed by volunteering along with 4,500 of your friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Get a t-shirt and lunch, win prizes, and learn more about water quality. Check out the Trash Bash® video on YouTube or visit TrashBash.org to learn more. |
| Workshop to Focus on Energy, Water Efficiency |
 H-GAC and the Houston Area Research Center are hosting a Best Practices in Energy and Water Efficiency for Texas Cities workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. This workshop, open to all local governments in the Houston-Galveston region, will present the findings from two years of research and engagement with Texas cities working to identify best practices in energy and water efficiency.
Workshop participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts who have successfully implemented projects across the state.
Workshop registration is available online. For more information contact Gavin Dillingham at 281-364-6045. |
| Parks and Natural Areas Subcommittee to Meet March 7 |
 The Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) subcommittee of the Natural Resources Advisory Committee will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, at H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor. Carolyn White of the Harris County Flood Control District will discuss parks as flood control mechanisms, and Justin Bates of the National Park Service's River Trails (RTCA) Conservation Assistance Program will discuss the RTCA's experience with parks projects in the region. |
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Public Comment Sought for Bacteria Reduction Project
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 The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hear public comment on a project to reduce bacteria and protect recreational safety in Lake Houston, East Fork San Jacinto River, West Fork San Jacinto River, and Crystal Creek in Montgomery, San Jacinto, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, and Walker counties.
High concentrations of bacteria, such as E. coli, may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the streams.
The TCEQ and a group of local stakeholders have developed a total maximum daily load (TMDL) and an implementation plan which will be the road map for improving water quality. The coordination committee for the project has also petitioned to join the Bacteria Implementation Group.
The comment meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the San Jacinto River Authority, 1577 Dam Site Road, Third Floor, Conroe.
Copies of the draft TMDL will be available online or by calling 512-239-6457.
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| Save the Date for the Next CWI Workshop |
|  The next Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) workshop will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. The topic will be Stormwater Management Approaches from the Region's MS4 (Municipal, Separate, Storm Sewer System) Programs. Registration will open later this month.
H-GAC's CWI program offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and residents develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in area waterways.
For more information, contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579. |
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Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable Set
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|  The next Bringing Back Main Street Revitalization Roundtable will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 20, at the Conroe Chamber of Commerce, 505 W. Davis Street, Conroe. Speakers from Conroe, La Porte, Nacogdoches, and Navasota are scheduled to discuss downtown events.
H-GAC hosts quarterly roundtables that focus on downtown revitalization. For more information, contact Andrew Pompei at 832-681-2598.
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| Focus On - Interactive Mapping Tools |
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H-GAC's interactive mapping tools shed some light on commuting patterns and activity density to help take the guesswork out of planning transportation improvements in the region.
Commuting Patterns in the H-GAC Region
 Ever wonder where people in the H-GAC region are commuting to and from for work? The Commuting Patterns in the Region tool helps users visualize workers' commuting patterns. Click on a geographic area of the "workplace" map to see how many people are commuting there from areas across the region. Or, click on a location on the "home" map to see a list of where people living in that area commute. You can select more than one area of the map at a time for a broader look at commuting patterns.
The results are displayed as a list for regional sectors, counties, zip codes, and Census tracts. Maps are also available as 3-mile hexagonal grids, displaying results as a chart illustrating commuting distances. Results are available for download as a PDF or an Excel spreadsheet.
Density/Connectivity Index
 The Density/Connectivity Index Map (also known as the Blue Map) allows users to identify employment, household, intersection, and activity density in the 8-county H-GAC region. The Index is available as a summary viewer and an advanced viewer, showing users areas where people live and work, where streets are well-connected, and where walking or transit choices already exist or could be added or improved.
Both versions of the Index are mobile-friendly and available free online. A user manual is available for the advanced viewer, and data is available for download as a PDF or an Excel spreadsheet. No GIS experience is necessary to use these tools. H-GAC and U.S. Census data used for the Index is updated annually.
Both the Commuting Patterns Map and Density Connectivity Index are ideal for local governments, policy research organizations, employers, and transit providers interested in getting a feel for where improved or additional transit investments (including streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and other transportation amenities) can be considered.
More information about these tools, including a video presentation, is available online.
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 RESTORE Funding Applications Workshops Offered at H-GAC |
|  Grant applications under the Direct Component (Bucket 1) federal RESTORE Act are now being accepted for coastal restoration projects for Texas.
Two application workshops are being offered on Thursday, March 3, at H-GAC, Conference Room B, Second Floor. The workshops will be from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The total of approximately $56 million is available for funding. Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 15.
For more information, visit the Restore the Texas Coast website. |
| Storm Debris Workshop Series Begins March 8 |
|  H-GAC's series of debris management workshops kicks off Tuesday, March 8, with No-Notice Events. The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. In the past 10 years, most of the disasters the Houston-Galveston area has dealt with have been hurricanes. However, 2015 was a year that reminded us all disasters have a 5-day time frame to prepare and get resources in place. The challenges of dealing with debris from events such as tornadoes, flooding, and ice storms can be vastly different than the historical hurricane-centric debris damage. This workshop will include case studies from events that have impacted Texas in the past year and a discussion of the challenges inherent in responding to a no-notice event. This discussion will include the following:
- Operating without a declaration
- Search and rescue operations
- Challenges of estimating debris
 Refreshments for this workshop are sponsored by DRC Emergency Services.
There is no cost for this event, but space is limited and registration is required. Register to attend this event in person by contacting Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525. To attend via webinar, register online. Mark your calendars for the additional workshops in the series:
- Mitigating Your Hazards
Thursday, April 18
- Big Changes at FEMA
Tuesday, May 10
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| 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. |
| 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 only use the cameras for solid waste purpose, 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. |
| Comments Sought for Improving Transportation Services |
The Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan seeks comments and suggestions for improving available transportation services. The Plan will provide efficient and effective public transportation services, especially for seniors (65 and older), persons with disabilities, persons with low incomes, veterans, youth, and others who need an alternative to driving.
Comments are being collected through the end of May via an online suggestion box, through #RctpHearMeOut on Facebook and Twitter, or by calling 1-855-363-2516.
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| Save the Date for Upcoming LID Workshop May 20 |
H-GAC will host a LID workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 20, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
This workshop will focus on LID maintenance, LID incentive and stormwater credit programs, and quick win LID projects.
H-GAC will also dristibute a new publication - Desigining for Impact: Regional Guide to LID.
Registration will open Monday, March 21.
For more information, contact Mary Martha Gaiennie at 713-993-2468.
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| Houston Releases Draft Bike Plan for Public Feedback |
The City of Houston Bike Plan team has released the Draft Houston Bike Plan for public feedback. The Plan is a part of the city's efforts to help make Houston a safer, healthier, and more accessible bicycle-friendly city. An interactive walkthrough of the Draft Plan is also available.
Activities designed to collect public feedback on Plan recommendations are underway. City of Houston staff will soon 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. The public comment period ends Monday, April 11, and the team will modify the draft Plan based on feedback received.
Visit the Houston Bike Plan to view the draft Plan and sign up for email updates.
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| Texas Independence Day Celebration Set for Brazoria County |
 The Brazoria County Parks Department will host a Texas Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, March 3, at the Stephen F. Austin Statue and Park on U.S. 288 in Angleton. Tour stations, including historic characters, story-tellers, rope making, and artillery demonstrations, will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 979-864-1541. |
| Sixth Annual Invasive Plant and Pest Control Conference Set for March 8-11 |
|  The 2016 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Control Conference will be March 8-11 at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville.
This conference is a professional level meeting including keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, workshops, field trips, posters, and symposia designed to serve scientists, land managers, state and federal agencies, local governments, and other professionals interested in Texas' invasive species.
Registration is available online and includes meals. |
| Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference Begins March 9 |
|  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, networking, and off-site mobile workshops and exhibits.
Registration information is available online. |
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Planning Directors from Texas Cities to Speak at Big 6 Workshop in Austin
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 Hosted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the Houston and Central sections of the American Planning Association (APA),
Texas Big Six-Make No Small Plans- Workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, March 4, at the Texas State Capitol, Capitol Auditorium, 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin.
Planning directors from the six largest cities in Texas (Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio) will discuss the game changers in their cities and regions that will improve or enhance that area's transportation, housing, economic development, environment, public health, and culture. The event's keynote speaker is Steve Cover, the Director of the Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development in Arlington County, Virginia. This event will have 7 AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits.
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| EPA to Host Grants Webinar on March 9 |
|  Register today for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pollution Prevention (P2) Program the FY 2016 and 2017 National Grants Webinar at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9.
Prospective applicants interested in applying for federal grant funding under EPA's Pollution Prevention, Pollution Prevention Information Network, or Source Reduction Assistance Grant Programs are encouraged to participate. Participants will hear new information concerning the grant solicitations - solicitation cycles, submission timeframes, and scope of grant activity.
Presentation slides will be posted to EPA's Pollution Prevention Grant page following the webinar. |
| Early Bird Registration for 2016 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference Ends March 11 |
|  Early registration for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 2016 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference continues through Friday, March 11.
The annual conference is set for May 3-4 at the Austin Convention Center. This annual forum features topics such as air quality, solid waste management, and water quality. Continuing Education Units are offered for some TCEQ license holders. An agenda, classroom session schedule, and Frequently Asked Questions document are available online. |
| 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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| Scenic City Certification Program Continues to Accept Certification Applications |
 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 using 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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Prescription Drug Take-Back Set for April 30, Law Enforcement Encouraged to Participate
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|  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is sponsoring a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30.
Only law enforcement agencies may host a collection site as they must be present to receive the pharmaceuticals brought by the public. Law enforcement agencies interested in hosting an event can find more information online. |
| Don't mess with Texas Seeks Entries in Scholarship, Slogan, and Art Contests |
College Scholarships
Slogan Contest
Sixth through twelfth grade students are invited to submit their most original, catchy, and creative slogans that inspire litter prevention during the annual Don't mess with Texas slogan contest. The top 10 entries will be featured on official red, white, and blue Don't mess with Texas trashcans. All entries are due by Friday, April 8.
Art Contest
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| KTB Announces Award Winners, Deadline for Youth and Educator Awards |
Keep America Beautiful Award Winners
Congratulations to the Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) affiliates who received recognition at the Keep America Beautiful 2016 National Conference recently, including Keep Houston Beautiful and Keep Pearland Beautiful (Award of Excellence), and Keep Lake Jackson Beautiful (Sustained Excellence Award).
KTB Awards
Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) 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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| Keep Texas Beautiful Conference Set for June 20-22 in Sugar Land |
 Save the date for the annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference June 20-22 in Sugar Land.
The three-day event will feature 35 educational sessions on topics including recycling, youth programs, litter prevention, board development, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Registration will open later in the spring.
Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are still available. |
| FHWA Announces Safety Webinar |
|  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host a webinar introducing its new Toolkit for Rural, Local, and Tribal Road Safety. The toolkit provides a step-by-step safety analysis process along with the tools, examples, resources, and user guides.
The webinar will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. Participants do not have to preregister, just click on a link, call in at 877-402-9757, and enter access code 2729528.
For more information, contact Rosemarie Anderson at FHWA. |
| Great American Cleanup Events Kick Off in March |
|  Plans are underway across the country for the Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, from March 1 to May 31, including the Texas General Land Office's Adopt-a-Beach Spring Clean Up from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23.
Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) asks that cleanup events 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. |
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Save the Date for Annual STAR Recycling Summit
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|  Mark your calendars for the 2016 State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) Recycling Summit October 16-18 in San Antonio.
This is the only state conference dedicated entirely to recycling and waste diversion activities in Texas. It is a chance to meet potential clients or partners, to have productive dialogue about advancing recycling in Texas, to learn about new and innovative technologies in the waste diversion industry, and to form ideas and relationships that will last for years.
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 Funding Opportunities
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TCEQ RESTORE Funding
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is accepting applications for more than $56 million in
RESTORE grant funding available for environmental, ecological ,or economic projects. Eligible projects in the Gulf Coast region include those that restore and protect natural habitats, mitigate damage to fish and wildlife, improve state parks in coastal areas, protect against coastal floods, promote tourism and/or consumption of Gulf Coast seafood, and develop the workforce and create jobs in the coastal region.
Two workshops about these grants will be on
Thursday, March 3, at H-GAC. Applications are due on
Friday, April 15.
DOT TIGER Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting applications for more than $500 million in
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants to fund capital investments in projects generating economic development and improving access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities. Applications are due
Friday, April 29.
TDA Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) 2016 Disaster Relief Fund
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
TxCDBG Disaster Relief Fund applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. These applications must be complete and request assistance for disaster events that were declared within 12 months of the application's submission.
TDA 2016 Small Towns Environmental Program (STEP) Fund
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will accept
STEP Fund letters of interest and applications
throughout the year until all available funds are obligated. Dates for the final round of assessment, application, and funding for letters of interest received under the 2015 Action Plan can be found on the
TDA website.
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 program also offers Twitter updates on water quality issues in the region, including fish consumption advisories, @HGACwater.
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