Upper Coast Oyster Waters: A TMDL Project for Bacteria

Counties:	Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris
Parameter:	Bacteria in Oyster Waters
Basins:	Neches-Trinity Coastal, Trinity River, San Jacinto River, and San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal, Bays and Estuaries
Segments:	2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2432, 2439

• Project Overview
• Background and Goals
• Adopted TMDLs
• Public Participation
• Project Documents
• For More Information

Background and Goals

Bacteria concentrations are sometimes elevated in six bays in the Houston–Galveston area. Restricted areas are closed to the harvesting of shellfish for direct marketing. Microorganisms from human and animal waste may contaminate oysters and other shellfish, making them unsafe to eat, especially since some shellfish are eaten raw.

The use of coastal waters for harvesting shellfish —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. The affected segments are Upper Galveston Bay (Segment 2421), Trinity Bay (Segment 2422), East Bay (Segment 2423), West Bay (Segment 2424), Chocolate Bay (Segment 2432), Lower Galveston Bay (Segment 2439).

This project is developing total maximum daily loads to reduce bacteria concentrations so that oysters may be harvested from the affected bays. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants. It estimates the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses. The load is then allocated among the sources of pollution within the watershed, and measures to reduce pollutant loads are developed as necessary. A TMDL is part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan after it is adopted by the commission and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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Adopted TMDLs

On August 20, 2008, the commission adopted the TMDLs below.

• Six Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in Waters of the Upper Gulf Coast, Segments 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2432, and 2439 (PDF. Help with PDF.)
• Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs (PDF. Help with PDF.)

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Public Participation

The TMDL Program is working with the existing forum of the Galveston Bay EstuaryProgram (GBEP) to involve area stakeholders in the project through public meetings and notices in print and electronic media.

Summaries and Presentations of Prior Meetings

Meeting documents are available in PDF. Help with PDF.

• June 2008 Meetings
  - June 9, Clear Lake
  - June 11, Hankamer
  
  The following presentation was supplied at each of the June 2008 meetings.
  • Presentation: TMDL
• 
  
• February 2008 Meetings
  - February 27, Hankamer
  - February 28, Clear Lake
  - February 29, Galveston
  
  The following presentations and documents were supplied at each of the February 2008 meetings.
  • Presentation: TMDL Process
  • Presentation: DSHS Overview of Oyster Waters and Classification Zones
  • Presentation: February 2008 Project Overview - Upper Coast Oyster Water TDML for Bacteria
  • Handout: Reductions Necessary to Meet 90th Percentile Criteria
  • Handout: Announcement for April 2008 Storm Water Workshop

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For More Information

For information regarding the project, please contact Ron Stein at 512/239-4507. Or e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and reference the Upper Coast Oyster Waters TMDL in the subject line.

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