AUGUST 2025

August is in full swing, and we’re keeping things moving at the Houston-Galveston Area Council! In this month’s What’s Happening at H-GAC segment, we’re spotlighting the Regional Transportation Plan 2050, sharing ways you can get involved in shaping our region’s future, and offering a sneak peek at this year’s Air Quality Summit.

Catch up on regional events, planning updates, and how we’re working together for a cleaner, more connected future. Learn more about events at H-GAC:

👉 h-gac.com/calendar

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H-GAC has launched a public survey to gather input for the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). This long-range plan will guide transportation investments and improvements through the year 2050.

H-GAC wants to hear from everyone who lives, works, or travels in the region — including drivers, cyclists, transit riders, pedestrians, and freight users.

Your feedback will help identify community priorities such as safety, congestion relief, accessibility, and sustainability.

Responses will influence which projects are considered for inclusion in the final plan. The survey is open to those who live and work across the eight-county metropolitan area: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller.

Make your voice count — take the survey today:

RTP2050.com

H-GAC’s Elder Justice Program is now accepting reservations from older adult programs and community centers to host free Advance Planning Legal Clinics for adults aged 65 and older and individuals of any age with disabilities. 

The four-session clinic helps participants understand the legal documents needed to safeguard assets and maintain independence in the face of physical and/or cognitive decline. Older adults who attend both educational sessions, submit required information on time, and return for the scheduled signing date will receive attorney-drafted, fully executed legal documents at no cost.

Interested in booking a presentation or hosting an Advance Planning Legal Clinic? Contact Jessica Razo, program attorney, at 346-299-5682.



2025 Water Symposium – Expert Insights on Water Infrastructure & Resilience

The 2025 Water Symposium will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Pearland, Texas, bringing together local, regional, and state leaders for a one-day, solutions-focused event on the future of water infrastructure and supply in Texas.

2025 Water Symposium

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

Alvin ISD - Freedom Field

10855 County Rd. 65, Rosharon 77583

Hosted by the city of Pearland and the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and promoted in partnership with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the symposium will feature expert insights on water access, infrastructure investment, collaboration, and legislative updates.

Among the distinguished speakers are State Representative Jeff Barry (District 29) and Justin Bower, H-GAC’s Community and Environmental Planning Director, alongside leaders from the Texas Water Development Board, Brazos River Authority, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, and more.

With a focus on resilience and innovation, the symposium is designed for elected officials, planners, and decision-makers invested in strengthening Texas’ water future. Visit the 2025 Water Symposium website to learn more and register. 

H-GAC's annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards program will begin accepting applications on Monday, Aug. 25.  

The Parks and Natural Areas Awards recognize projects in four categories:

• Projects Over $500,000
• Projects Under $500,000
• Planning Process and Policy

Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. The application period closes at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30.  

While the application portal is not yet open, an online application guide is available to help you prepare in advance. Please note that no funding is associated with this awards program.  

We are also seeking volunteers to help score the applications and select the winners.

Award winners will be notified in December and recognized in 2026. For more information or to volunteer as a judge, contact Andrea Tantillo. 

H-GAC is developing a Clean Air Action Plan through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The plan will identify voluntary strategies to reduce air pollution across the 13-county region, supporting healthier communities and long-term air quality improvements.

The plan will focus on practical actions in key areas such as transportation, buildings, waste, agriculture, and industrial activity. In addition to improving air quality, these strategies may also offer benefits like energy savings, economic growth, and improved public health.

Community input is a vital part of this planning effort. H-GAC is asking residents, businesses, and local leaders to share their priorities and ideas by completing a short online survey.

Take the survey: engage.h-gac.com/clean-air

Together, we can help shape a regional path toward cleaner air and healthier communities.

Click here to learn about H-GAC's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program.

H-GAC will award approximately $950,000 in solid waste grant funding to eligible projects throughout the 13-county region as part of its ongoing partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The funds — collected through tipping fees at landfills across the state — are distributed through a competitive grant process. Additional funding may become available.

This is the only call for projects planned for the current two-year period. Grants will begin in March or September 2026, and all work must be completed by May 2027.

The grant application period opens Tuesday, Sept 2., and closes at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. To support applicants, H-GAC will host a webinar with step-by-step guidance on how to complete the application.

Solid Waste Grant Application Webinar

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025

For more information or to be added to the solid waste grant email list, contact Erin Livingston.

This year, the Houston-Galveston Area Council is proud to celebrate two major milestones that showcase the power of community collaboration and regional impact: 20 years of the Parks and Natural Areas Awards and 10 years of Bringing Back Main Street.

20 Years of Parks and Natural Areas Awards

Since 2006, H-GAC’s Parks and Natural Areas Awards program has recognized more than 300 parks and natural areas planning, policy, built, and educational projects across our region. These awards honor the dedicated work of counties, cities, neighborhoods, non-profits, and individuals who have preserved, enhanced, and expanded our parks and natural spaces.

As we prepare to honor the 2025 award winners in February 2026, we’re also looking back on two decades of projects that have shaped our region—and we want to hear how these recognitions have made a difference in your community.

• Did your award help you secure additional funding?
• Has a featured project inspired action in your own community?
• Has the program influenced the way you approach parks and natural areas?

If so, we’d love to feature your story. Send a short description and a photo or two to Andrea Tantillo. Your story could be highlighted during the awards ceremony in 2026 or on the Parks and Natural Areas Awards webpage.

10 Years of Bringing Back Main Street

We’re also marking a decade of Bringing Back Main Street roundtables, which began with its first roundtable in Tomball on October 1, 2015. Over the past 10 years, this program has brought communities together to discuss small-town and rural downtown revitalization—from preserving historic spaces to boosting economic growth.

As we plan a special event this fall—tentatively set for October 14—we’re looking for stories that show the program’s lasting impact:

• Have you started or expanded a revitalization project after attending a roundtable?
• Have you used the Downtown Revitalization Guide for Local Governments to inform your planning?

If Bringing Back Main Street has made a difference in your community, send a brief summary and photo or two to Andrea Tantillo. Your success may be featured in our anniversary slideshow or on the program’s webpage.

AUG 7

Registration is requested to attend in person and required to attend online.

The main topic of discussion will be a review of the 2025 Water Quality Management Plan Update. H-GAC is seeking comments on the current draft of the document which is available on the H-GAC website. 

 For more information, contact: Rachel Windham



The watershed stakeholder group will discuss any work done in relation to the Chocolate Bay Implementation Plan. During this meeting, we will also kick off the implementation phase of the plan and discuss measures the community can take to reduce fecal sources of bacteria to help Chocolate Bay meet water quality standards. 

For more information, contact: Steven Johnston

Complete your required annual training with an in-person, 8-hour refresher course – designed for those who work in hazardous waste operations and have already completed a 40-hour or 24-hour HAZWOPER training. 

Monday, August 11

Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

6900 Hahl Rd., Houston 77040

Tuesday, August 12

Lonestar Convention Center – Yellow Rose Room

9055 Airport Rd., Conroe 77303

Wednesday, August 13

Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Travis Building (6^th Floor Meeting Room)

301 Jackson St., Richmond 77469

You must be present for the full 8-hour training to receive credit. Each include lunch and light refreshments.

Registration is required. 

AUG 22

AUG 28

For more information, contact: Steven Johnston



SEP 18

H-GAC concludes its three-part 2025 Livable Centers Roundtable and Workshop Series—exploring the critical connections between transportation planning, design, and public health with the annual Land Use and Transportation workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, September 18, second floor conference rooms.

Participant networking begins at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is requested, but not required, to attend.

This workshop will bring together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners from urban design, transportation planning, and public health to discuss integrated solutions for reducing health disparities and improving community well-being. 

This workshop is a must-attend for anyone committed to designing cities and communities that prioritize well-being, mobility, and long-term resilience. 

For more information, contact: Sarai Osorio at livablecenters@h-gac.com

SEP 24

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