Keeping you up to date on the community planning, economic development,
and environmental planning programs at H-GAC.
Your Monthly News & Updates
All events were scheduled at the time of publication.
Please double check with each event organizer for updates.
Announcements
poster detailing how to separate storm debris for curbside pick up
Community Response to
Hurricane Harvey

H-GAC thanks the city and county governments, first responders, volunteers, and neighbors for continuing to help our region respond and recover from Hurricane Harvey.

As we begin the recovery process, H-GAC provides resources for local governments.

Education and Outreach

H-GAC offers disaster debris videos and flyers for local governments. YouTube videos highlight the proper way for residents to handle debris after disasters. Companion flyers are available. Both are available in English and Spanish and can be distributed to residents via web and social media channels. 

HGACBuyLogo
Disaster Recovery

HGACBuy offers cooperative purchasing solutions for local governments and non-profit organizations.  Two services lines that can be useful for communities in the aftermath of Harvey include:   Disaster Debris Clearance and Removal Services and All Hazards Preparedness, Planning, Consulting and Recovery Services.  

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Post-Harvey Aerial Imagery

The H-GAC Data Services GIS team is in the process of acquiring over 10,000 aquare miles of post-event aerial imagery following the major flooding in the region. The resolution of the imagery is 1-foot and is available in both RBG (natural color) and CIR (color-infrared). 

If you are interested in participating in the cost-sharing effort for this project or would like more information on the project, please contact the Data Services GIS team at  DSGIS@h-gac.com.

Additional Resources for the Community
  • To register for FEMA disaster assistance, visit  www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 TTY: 800-462-7585
  • Texas Emergency Assistance Hotline: 877-541-7905

Parks Awards Winners Collage
Deadline to Submit Parks and Natural  Areas Awards Application is Extended to September 21

The deadline to accept H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Awards  applications has been extended to Thursday, September 21.
 
PNA awards honor projects in four categories: Projects $500,000 or more; Projects under $500,000; Planning Process; and Policy Tools. Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region.
 
Winners will be notified in November, and the awards ceremony will be in January 2018. For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo at 832-681-2507.

montgomery county recycling drop off facility
H-GAC to Open Application for Solid Waste Grants on September 14

Each year, H-GAC receives a portion of the money collected as tipping fees at landfills across the state as pass-through funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), to fund solid waste grant projects throughout the 13-county region.

 

Over the next two years, H-GAC will award $1.2 million in solid waste program grant funds ($600,000 per year) but will accept applications for both years only during the upcoming grant application period.

 

The grant application period will open Thursday, September 14.

 

For more information about the grant program, contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525.


Upcoming Events
Clean Waters Initiative Logo
CWI Workshop: Using Watershed-based Plans to Improve Water Quality - September 26

The next Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) workshop will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, at H-GAC Conference Rooms B and C, Second Floor. The topic will be Using Watershed-based Plans to Improve Water Quality.

 

Speakers from H-GAC and the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board will provide participants with greater understanding of the function and importance of watershed-based plans, as well as updates on planning and implementation efforts.

The workshop is free, and online registration is requested. For more information, contact Kathy Janhsen at 713-993-2423.


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Instant Impact: A Land Use Planning Workshop - September 29

H-GAC will host Instant Impact: A Land Use Planning Workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Friday, September 29, at the  White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive, Houston.

The workshop will cover the uses and benefits of Instant Impact projects, a way to use inexpensive and quick techniques to build public interest and excitement for walkable, vibrant places in a community. Participants will hear from experts and practitioners who have used Instant Impact tools during and after the planning process to move projects forward, including some highlighted in H-GAC's Instant Impact Guide: Temporary, Cost Effective Ideas for More Vibrant Streets.

Workshop topics and speakers include:
  • Uses & Benefits of Instant Impact,  Layne Ferguson, Team Better Block
  • Instant Impact in Small Towns,  Christof Spieler, Huitt-Zollars 
  • Instant Impact through Partnerships,  Alex Miller and Luis Guajardo, Asakura Robinson
Online registration is required.  For more information, contact Clint McManus at 832-681-2513.

Gulf Coast Economic Developmetn District Logo
Empowering Entrepreneurship Workshop - October 6

The Gulf Coast Economic Development District is hosting Empowering Entrepreneurship from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 6, in H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. This free workshop highlights regional resources and best practices for fostering startup businesses and entrepreneurs in today's economy.

 

Speakers include representatives from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Workforce Solutions, Houston Small Business Development Inc., and the Small Business Development Center.

 

The workshop is free, but online registration is requested. For more information, contact Joshua Owens at 832-681-2613.


Save the Date text
Annual Fall Planning Workshop - October 20

H-GAC's Fall Planning Workshop for Local Governments will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 20, at H-GAC.


This annual half-day workshop series for local governments features presentations on best planning practices for communities.


This year's workshop will focus on implementation. Discussion points will include:

  • How do you keep your plan off the shelf?
  • How do you pay for it?
  • How do you do it?

Registration will open soon.  

 

To be added to the list to receive more information, contact Amanda Thorin at 713-993-4587.


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Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable - October 24

Save the date for the next Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, October 24, at the Angleton Recreation Center, 1601 N Valderas Street, Angleton. Emily Koller from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) will present information on THC programs, including its new tool, DowntownTX.org.

 

These roundtables help local governments, chambers of commerce, and economic development interests promote the economy and revitalization of downtown areas.

For more information, contact Clint McManus at 832-681-2513.


Two cute girls with trash bags at Trash Bash.
Save the Date for the 25th Trash Bash - March 24, 2018

Every year, thousands of volunteers gather to clean up trash and debris along area waterways by participating in the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash.


Trash Bash will celebrate its 25th consecutive cleanup on Saturday, March 24, 2018---an accomplishment that dedicated volunteers have been proud to be part of for more than two decades.


Learn more about becoming a volunteer or sponsor for Trash Bash 2018.

Partner Announcements
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Environmental Excellence Awards
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is accepting applications for the  2017 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards . Share environmental success stories by applying for or nominating a project in one of nine award categories. View these categories and apply online . The deadline to submit is  Friday, September 29.

Keep America Beautiful Recycle Bowl
 

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Keep America Beautiful presents Recycle Bowl, a national K-12 competition between schools to invigorate student participation in recycling efforts. The competition runs from October 16 to November 15. Registration is open through Friday, October 13. 

America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day logo
For 20 years, communities have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day. Do you have plans for hosting a special event on that day? Log in and  register your event .


Take Care of Texas Video Contest
Take Care of Texas Proud Partner Logo
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invites children in grades six through twelve to enter the second-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 15, and the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos January 11 through 25, 2018. A panel of TCEQ staff and representatives from Waste Management Texas will choose the first, second, and third place winners from each of the grade groups. Winners will be announced February 20, 2018.
More Upcoming Events
Texas Citizen Planner Specialty Courses
Texas Citizen Planner logo
TexasAgriLife Extension Service will present a one-day  Texas Citizen Planner specialty course  to emphasize integrating hazard mitigation approaches with local planning practices. The Flooding and Stormwater course will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Tuesday, September 12,  at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston. The cost is $75, and lunch is provided.  Registration  is required. For information, contact  Steven Mikulencak  or  Celina Gauthier Lowry  at 281-560-3970.

Measuring the Impact of Recycling & Management Programs Webinar
The College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC) 2017 Webinar Series continues with Measuring the Impact of Recycling & Management Programs from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Thursday, September 14.  The CURC Webinar series is designed to share technical knowledge between program managers, student interns, and others involved with promoting waste reduction on college campuses. Scheduled on the second Thursday every other month, CURC webinars cover a range of topics related to sustainable materials management, such as material collections and processing, education, and promotion and procurement. Registration is required.

Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery Webinar Series
IEDC 2017 Webinar Series Logo
The International Economic Development Council provides a free  Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery webinar series each year focusing on practical information on key topics for economic development professionals and chambers of commerce. The next webinar will be  Retail Boomtowns: Creating an Atmosphere for Retail Attractionfrom 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.  Thursday, September 14.

EPA Region 6 19th Annual Stormwater Conference
EPA Logo
Registration continues for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 19th annual Stormwater Conference September 17-21 at the Hilton Palacio del Rio, 200 South Alamo Street, San Antonio. Stormwater professionals will learn about stormwater management programs, construction and industrial stormwater management, low impact development, and advanced research topics. 

Bayou Preservation Association Symposium
Bayou Preservation Association Logo
Tickets are available for the annual Bayou Preservation Association Symposium at 7 a.m. Thursday, October 19, at the United Way of Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston. Spend the day hearing presentations and engaging in discussion on water quality issues in our region. 

Annual STAR Texas Recycling Summit
STAR Logo
Registration continues for the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) Texas Recycling Summit 2017  October 22-25 at the Double Tree Hotel, 6505 N I-35, Austin. This is the only state conference dedicated entirely to recycling and waste diversion activities in Texas. It's also an opportunity to network with professionals from the recycling industry to learn, collaborate, share successes, and support recycling efforts.
Funding Sources
Tree with $ Money
H-GAC has compiled a list of local, regional, state, federal, and private funding sources for local governments and other organizations. H-GAC also maintains a list of ongoing funding opportunities for parks improvements.

If you know of a funding opportunity, forward it to Andrea Tantillo .

All content, including links to websites, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.
Community and Environmental Planning Programs
GIS Globes
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
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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), West Fork Watersheds Partnership, and  Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership.

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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.
Banner Photo - A young community member in League City got to take a quick peek in a rescue vehicle after donating supplies for local shelters. (photo contributed by Brandi Ridge) 

 
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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