| Counties: |
Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson,
Matagorda, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria |
| Parameter: |
Bacteria in oyster waters |
| Basins: |
Bays and Estuaries, Neches-Trinity Coastal Basin, Trinity River
Basin, San Jacinto River Basin, San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal
Basin, Brazos-Colorado Coastal Basin, Colorado-Lavaca Coastal
Basin, Lavaca-Guadalupe Coastal Basin, Lavaca River Basin,
Guadalupe River Basin, San Antonio River Basin, San
Antonio–Nueces Coastal Basin |
| Segments: |
2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2432, 2439, 2441, 2442, 2451, 2452,
2453, 2456, 2462, 2472 |
 |
|
Galveston Bay System
from the Air
Photograph courtesy of
NASA
|
| |
Background and Goals
Data assessed in 2002 showed that 14 bay segments in three
geographic regions (see “Project Overview” above) were
not safe for harvesting shellfish because of elevated bacteria
concentrations. The use of waters for oyster
harvesting—called the “oyster waters use” in the
state’s standards for surface water quality—is the most
commonly impaired use among Texas bay and gulf waters.
Microorganisms from human and animal waste may endanger public
health by contaminating oysters and other shellfish, making them
unsafe to eat, especially since some shellfish are often eaten
raw.
To address the impaired oyster waters use, the TCEQ’s TMDL
Program initiated a project to evaluate the affected waters and
develop a strategy to restore the oyster waters use in the 14
impaired segments. This project was completed in August 2006.
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Public
Participation
To involve area stakeholders in the project, the TMDL Program
worked with the existing estuary program forums of the Galveston
Bay Estuary Program and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries
Program. Both groups include regional stakeholders who represent a
wide variety of interests, such as agriculture, industry,
government, and civic groups.
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Project Status
- Bays in the Upper Texas
Coast
After analysis, the work group determined that a TMDL is needed for
this group of bays. The
Upper Coast Oyster Waters TMDL project was begun in 2006.
- Bays in the Middle Texas
Coast
The oyster reefs in Lavaca Bay were mapped to determine the extent
of the resource. The Middle Texas Coast TMDL Project for Oyster
Waters was initiated in 2006. For more information about the
project, contact Arthur Talley at atalley@tceq.state.tx.us
or 512-239-4546.
- Bays in the Lower Texas
Coast
Project staff determined that a TMDL was needed for the bays on the
lower coast. The TMDL project for Copano Bay
project, which also includes Port and Mission Bays, began in
2004.
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For More Information
For more information regarding the project, please call
512/239-6682. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Gulf Coast Oyster Waters project in the subject
line.
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