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Your Monthly News & Updates
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Caney Creek TMDL Stakeholder Meeting - November 1
The meeting will consist of presentations, followed by an open house-style discussion period. Participation of local leaders and residents is crucial for for implementation of projects.
Topics for each meeting include:
- presentation of the technical support document for Caney Creek and Linnville Bayou;
- options for developing a bacteria reduction plan for the basin; and
- continued identification of stakeholders to participate on a coordination committee to guide this effort.
Agencies are invited to set up an informational table for stakeholders.
To RVSP to attend or reserve a table, please contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579.
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Coastal Stormwater Quality Education Workgroup - November 7
H-GAC will host the first Coastal Stormwater Quality Education Workgroup meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Wenesday, November 7, at H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor.
The purpose of this new workgroup is to bring together education and outreach partners and staff from local governments, water-quality nonprofit organizations, drainage and utility districts, MUDs, HOAs, schools, civic groups, and interested residents to facilitate comprehensive coordination and implementation of stormwater quality education and outreach in coastal communities in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, and Matagorda counties.
The agenda for this meeting includes visioning and goal setting for 2019, identification and coordination of outreach opportunities, and networking opportunities. For more information about this workgroup and to RSVP, contact
Becki Begley
at 713-993-2410.
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Designing for Impact: Low Impact Development Implementation Workshop - November 7
The workshop will focus on
some of the common challenges local communities face when implementing low impact development (LID) projects and policies. LID is an effective, economically advantageous approach to controlling stormwater and improving water quality. Attendees will learn how local governments can incentivize low impact development through their development codes and ensure features are properly installed and maintained.
Registration is requested. For more information, contact Joey Kaspar at 713-993-4547.
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Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Field Trip - November 8
H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable field trip will be Thursday, November 8, with a tour of three parks in Sugar Land. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at Sugar Land Memorial Park and continues to Smart Financial Center Plaza and Brazos River Park. Sugar Land Memorial Park is at 15300 University Blvd., Sugar Land. We will meet at the pavilion near the lake and playground.
Transportation from H-GAC at 8:45 a.m. can be provided for up to 20 registrants.
The PNA Roundtable's mission is to assist in the development of public policy initiatives to expand parks and natural areas in the 13-county H-GAC region for the improved quality of life, habitat, and water quality.
This group meets in a roundtable format, does not consist of a formal board, and is open to anyone interested in participating.
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Oyster Creek TMDL Stakeholder Meetings - November 8
This meeting will consist of presentations, followed by an open house-style discussion period. Participation of local leaders and residents is crucial the implementation of projects.
Topics for the meeting include:
- presentation of the technical support document for Oyster Creek;
- options for developing a bacteria reduction plan for the basin; and
- identification of stakeholders to participate on a coordination committee to guide this effort.
Agencies are invited to set up an informational table for stakeholders.
To RVSP to attend or reserve a table, please contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579.
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Fall Planning Workshop - November 9
H-GAC's annual Fall Planning Workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, November 9, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
This annual half-day workshop series for local governments features presentations on best planning practices for communities.
This year's workshop, Planning at the Edge, invites participants to join in a discussion with local cities and counties,especially unincorporated areas, experiencing growth and development. This workshop will focus on common issues, challenges, and potential management solutions.
The Houston Section of the American Planning Association (APA) is co-sponsoring this workshop and offering 4.0 CM credits for AICP continuing education.
Registration is requested. For more information, e-mail [email protected]
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Regional Recycling Roundtable - November 15
The topic will be composting as a recycling strategy. Presentations will include an update on commercial composting, an overview of the master composter program, and local municipal case studies.
This roundtable series provides education/outreach to bring new ideas and knowledge to local governments, solid waste businesses, and interested residents on a wide range of recycling-related topics.
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Tools and Techniques for Resiliency and Strategic Planning: A Workshop for Small Water Systems and Local Leaders - November 29
This workshop will provide tools to help water utilities identify risks and recognize opportunities to manage and plan for impacts. Techniques will also be shared to gather community and leadership support for resiliency initiatives. Attendees will learn how to identify critical community assets and assess their resilience, and apply techniques to gain support, manage conflicts and move projects and ideas forward.
This workshop will be submitted to the state for credit hours for water system operators.
Registration for this free workshop is requested.
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League Cycling Instructor Training - November 30 - December 2
The League of American Bicyclists is conducting a League Cycling Instructor training at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices, Conference Room B, Second Floor from Friday, November 30, to Sunday, December 2.
The training certifies instructors to teach Smart Cycling classes to children and adults to help them become more confident, safe, and intelligent cyclists.
The deadline to register is Saturday, November 10. Registrants must be members of the League of American Bicyclists.To register and find more information about the process for obtaining certification, visit the League of American Bicyclists website or contact Clint McManus at 832-681-2513. Space is limited.
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Trash Bash - March 30, 2019
The River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 30, 2019. Save the date to join thousands of volunteers cleaning up trash and debris along area waterways. With locations across the Galveston Bay watershed, there's a cleanup site near home, work, or school.
Trash Bash is made possible by support from individuals, organizations, and businesses. Consider supporting the event this year with a donation to the Texas Conservation Fund, the nonprofit organization that manages Trash Bash. With a new online donation button, it's easy for individuals to support area waterways.
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H-GAC Releases Trail-Oriented Development Primer
H-GAC announces the release of The Right Path: A Trail Oriented Development Primer.
Communities across the country are investing in local trails and reaping the benefits of active transportation. This primer offers tools, strategies, and case studies that can set local governments and trailside property owners on the right path for fostering local trail-oriented development. It offers information on identifying candidate trails and parcels for new amenities and the site-specific strategies best-suited for each location.The primer can also be used to kick start conversations with local business owners, elected officials, economic development and tourism directors, planning and parks staff, and residents.
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2018 Our Great Region Award Application Closes Soon
The Our Great Region Awards recognize outstanding projects in the region advancing the goals and strategies identified in the Our Great Region 2040 plan.
The application closes Tuesday, November 16. Plans, programs, projects or policies that implemented a strategy of the Our Great Region 2040 plan within the 13-county H-GAC planning region in the past four years are eligible for submission.
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Responses Requested: Broadband Availability Survey
a survey of broadband availability
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This survey takes under a minute to complete. The more responses the GCEDD receives, the better the understanding of the regional broadband network will be.
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Text-to-9-1-1 Services Now Available in Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton Counties
Text-to-9-1-1 services should only be used in an emergency when the person needing assistance is unable to speak or hear. Text-to-9-1-1 provides an alternative when speaking out loud would put the person in danger, such as during an abduction, active shooter, home invasion, or domestic situation. The traditional method of calling 9-1-1 remains the fastest, most effective way to reach help.
Text-to-9-1-1 can't identify a user's location, so the first text should include an address and the nature of the emergency. Users will receive a text back from the 9-1-1 call taker.
Text messages should include simple language and should not include abbreviations, slang, pictures, or
emojis
. Anyone driving should not text and drive but should pull over to a safe location before texting 9-1-1.
Text-to-9-1-1 is supported by all major cell phone carriers. Users in an area where Text-to-9-1-1 service is not available, will receive a 'bounce-back' message telling them to make a voice call.
For more information, visit www.gulfcoast911.org.
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America Recycles Day Event Calendar
Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
Applications are being accepted for the
Ruder Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, a national design award celebrating transformative places that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social vitality of American cities. One Gold Medal ($50,000 cash award) and four Silver Medals ($10,000 cash award) are awarded each biennial. To be eligible, projects must be urban, built, and located within the contiguous United States. Applications may be submitted by anyone involved with the project. The deadline to
submit applications is
Wednesday, December 12.
Take Care of Texas Video Contest
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invites students in 6th through 12th grades to enter the annual
Take Care of Texas Video Contest. Student videos should be 30 seconds long and portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. The contest deadline is
Friday, December 14, and the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos
January 10-24, 2019.
The middle and high school students who win first place will be invited to travel to Austin, along with their teacher, parent, or guardian, to be recognized by the TCEQ and Waste Management of Texas, Inc., at the 2019 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference.
Scenic City Applications Available
H-GAC and Scenic Texas support vibrant, healthy communities across the state. Partnering with Scenic Texas to form the Scenic City Certification Program has been a natural fit for H-GAC, and cities and towns with strong infrastructure standards prove to be resilient, distinctive cities known for a strong sense of civic pride and well-positioned for economic growth. See the full roster of certified Scenic Cities and review program requirements by exploring www.sceniccitycertification.org. The 2019 application is now available for review, and the 2019 application period is January 1-March 31, 2019.
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Brazoria County Parks Department Fishing Event
America Walks Webinars
Gulf of Mexico Alliance Wednesday Webinars
The
Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is hosting a
Wednesday Webinar series at 2 p.m. the last Wednesday of every other month.
Join to learn about resources and projects from around the Gulf. Preregistration is not required. The final webinar in the series will be
Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Detection (Kate Hubbard), November 28.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Master Gardeners Composter Training
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Association are hosting a
three-day composter specialist event from 10 a.m. to noon
Decembe
r 5-7
at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1402 Band Road, Suite 100, Rosenberg. This training is sanctioned by the Texas Master Gardener program, and the 24 attendees will receive the title of "Composter Specialist." More information, including an
agenda and registration
, is available online.
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H-GAC Livable Centers Plan Recommendations Earn Recognition
Levy Park earned recognition in the Urban Space category. The park renovations stemmed from recommendations in the Upper Kirby Livable Centers Study. Avenida de Las Americas earned recognition in the Not-for-Profit category. The pedestrian promenade and reduction of vehicular lanes for enhanced community space were recognized and were recommended as part of the Downtown/EADO Livable Centers Study.
Livable Centers are places where people can live, work, and play with less reliance on their cars. Livable Centers, with concentrations of residential and employment, support more trips by foot, bicycle, transit, or carpool. H-GAC's Livable Centers program works with local communities to identify specific recommendations, such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, that can help spark the creation of Livable Centers.
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America Walks annual Community Change Grant is seeking applicants for small funds for community improvements that create more active, engaging places. Successful applications should demonstrate how their project will inspire people to walk in and around their communities. Applications are due Friday, November 2. Visit the America Walks website to apply.
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H-GAC Wastewater Assistance Program Helps Homeowners
H-GAC's
Wastewater Assistance Program
offers funding for the repair or replacement of conventional septic or aerobic wastewater systems in the 13-county H-GAC planning region. Homeowners who meet certain income restrictions are eligible.
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Financial Assistance Available Through Air Check Texas
The AirCheck Texas - Drive a Clean Machine Program is designed to help motorists in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, and Montgomery counties comply with vehicle emissions standards.
AirCheck Texas offers financial incentives to repair or replace currently driven vehicles. An applicant will receive both a financial and environmental benefit while contributing to air quality solutions by removing older vehicles from Texas roadways.
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Rural Utilities Service Water & Environmental Programs
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted. Entities wishing to apply for assistance or needing additional information should contact:
USDA Rural Development State Office
Federal Building, Suite 102
101 SouthMain, Temple, TX 76501
(254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9712
Local water and sewer departments having workforce challenges to recruit and retain qualified workers within our region are encouraged to contact Traci Nolen at 713-993-2468.
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EDA Harvey
Recovery Grants
The U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Austin regional office received $129,119,000 in supplemental funding for disaster relief and is actively seeking projects to help communities in the Houston-Galveston region recover from Hurricane Harvey.
- Projects require a 20 percent match, which can include in-kind contributions
- Typical projects will range from $1-$2.5 million
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
- Must demonstrate a nexus to Harvey in terms of economic recovery or resilience
- Eligible applicants include governments, nonprofits, and universities
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All content, including links to 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 Programs
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Mapping Applications
Looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department? Visit H-GAC's interactive applications web page to see the latest information, including Census, Regional Forecast, and more.
Facebook
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
@HGACwater.
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Banner Photo by Cheryl Mergo.
Would you like us to consider featuring your municipality, program, or regional photo on the C&E Planning Update banner? Just forward
Andrea Tantillo
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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