The Galveston Bay estuary is a natural resource of national significance, providing important environmental, economic and quality of life benefits to the H-GAC region. However, the Galveston Bay estuary, like many other estuaries in the country, faces significant natural and manmade challenges related to habitat loss, water quality, and species decline.

In 1995, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Galveston Bay Estuary Program developed the Galveston Bay Plan as a framework for coordination of the many federal and state agencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations responsible for protecting and preserving this vital resource.

The Galveston Bay Plan, 2^nd Edition is the first revision to the 1995 plan. H-GAC provided staff support to this effort, which entailed significant engagement of more than 150 stakeholders over a two-year period. The results are a set of voluntary recommendations grouped under the following key priorities:

• Ensure Safe Human and Aquatic Life Use

• Protect and Sustain Living Resources

• Engage Communities

• Inform Science-Based Decision Making

This is not a regulatory document, but rather provides a roadmap for future voluntary actions by many entities. It was adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2019 and will go before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval in 2020. The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is currently seeking a resolution of support from the H-GAC Board.

N/A

N/A

Request approval of resolution in support of the Galveston Bay Estuary Plan, 2nd Edition. (Staff Contact: Jeff Taebel)