THE GALVESTON BAY YOU CAN PROTECT ESTUARY PROGRAM AND ENJOY THE BAY The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is a ● Visit our web site to learn more about the Bay non-regulatory program administered by the and what you can do to protect it. The site includes Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Galveston Bay facts, information about citizen Mission – To preserve Galveston Bay for and volunteer opportunities and youth education, generations to come stakeholder group stewardship ideas, and an events calendar. Purpose – To provide comprehensive ecosystem management through collaborative www.gbep.state.tx.us partnerships and to ensure preservation of the ● Volunteer and participate in Bay-related activities Bay’s multiple uses such as marsh planting projects, trash cleanups, Guiding Principles – Sound science and and conservation landscaping workshops. consensus decision-making ● Reduce your impact on water quality at home. The Estuary Program’s partners include local, Do not dump oil or other chemicals down the storm state, and federal governments, business, drain; if you use fertilizer and pesticides, apply industry, universities, conservation organizations, them properly; and ensure that your septic system Bay user groups, and citizens. They all work is properly functioning with an annual inspection together to implement The Galveston Bay Plan, and cleanout. a 20-year, science-based plan designed to protect ● . Use native plants in your land- and restore the Bay. Conserve water scaping. Water your lawn less and ensure that no Some of the Estuary Program’s accomplish- water is running into the streets. Fix leaky toilets ments: and faucets. ● 8,000 acres of wetlands and other habitats ● Involve children. Help the next generation appre- have been saved through preservation and ciate the Bay by taking children fishing, crabbing, restoration efforts. bird watching, canoeing, or boating. ● Fish, shellfish, and colonial water birds are being protected through habitat projects. ● Water quality is being enhanced as communities implement plans to reduce pollution in bayous, creeks, and the Bay.
photo by CCA Texas Galveston Bay Estuary Program 17041 El Camino Real, Suite 210 Houston, Texas 77058 Phone: 281-218-6461 E-mail: [email protected] www.gbep.state.tx.us GI-342 Rev. 6/07 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The TCEQ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The agency does not allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, PRESERVING GALVESTON BAY national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this document FOR GENERATIONS TO COME may be requested in alternate formats by contacting the TCEQ at 512-239-0028, Fax 239-4488, or 1-800-RELAY-TX (TDD), or by writing P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.
GI-342_6.07.indd 1 6/20/07 4:14:54 PM THE GALVESTON BAY YOU CAN PROTECT ESTUARY PROGRAM AND ENJOY THE BAY The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is a ● Visit our web site to learn more about the Bay non-regulatory program administered by the and what you can do to protect it. The site includes Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Galveston Bay facts, information about citizen Mission – To preserve Galveston Bay for and volunteer opportunities and youth education, generations to come stakeholder group stewardship ideas, and an events calendar. Purpose – To provide comprehensive ecosystem management through collaborative www.gbep.state.tx.us partnerships and to ensure preservation of the ● Volunteer and participate in Bay-related activities Bay’s multiple uses such as marsh planting projects, trash cleanups, Guiding Principles – Sound science and and conservation landscaping workshops. consensus decision-making ● Reduce your impact on water quality at home. The Estuary Program’s partners include local, Do not dump oil or other chemicals down the storm state, and federal governments, business, drain; if you use fertilizer and pesticides, apply industry, universities, conservation organizations, them properly; and ensure that your septic system Bay user groups, and citizens. They all work is properly functioning with an annual inspection together to implement The Galveston Bay Plan, and cleanout. a 20-year, science-based plan designed to protect ● . Use native plants in your land- and restore the Bay. Conserve water scaping. Water your lawn less and ensure that no Some of the Estuary Program’s accomplish- water is running into the streets. Fix leaky toilets ments: and faucets. ● 8,000 acres of wetlands and other habitats ● Involve children. Help the next generation appre- have been saved through preservation and ciate the Bay by taking children fishing, crabbing, restoration efforts. bird watching, canoeing, or boating. ● Fish, shellfish, and colonial water birds are being protected through habitat projects. ● Water quality is being enhanced as communities implement plans to reduce pollution in bayous, creeks, and the Bay.
photo by CCA Texas Galveston Bay Estuary Program 17041 El Camino Real, Suite 210 Houston, Texas 77058 Phone: 281-218-6461 E-mail: [email protected] www.gbep.state.tx.us GI-342 Rev. 6/07 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The TCEQ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The agency does not allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, PRESERVING GALVESTON BAY national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this document FOR GENERATIONS TO COME may be requested in alternate formats by contacting the TCEQ at 512-239-0028, Fax 239-4488, or 1-800-RELAY-TX (TDD), or by writing P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.
GI-342_6.07.indd 1 6/20/07 4:14:54 PM GALVESTON BAY GALVESTON BAY GALVESTON BAY IS IS AN ESTUARY IS VALUABLE FACING CHALLENGES An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of Galveston Bay has a tremendous impact on our Galveston Bay faces some difficult challenges: water which has a free connection with the open sea economic well-being, health, and quality of life. ● Wetland loss. The estuary lost more than and within which sea water mixes with fresh water. The Bay boasts: 30,000 acres of wetlands between 1950 and Estuaries are one of the planet’s most produc- ● The second most productive fishery in the U.S. 1990. Wetlands provide important habitat for the tive and important ecosystems. Estuaries like ● More oyster production than any other estuary in bay’s aquatic and wildlife species. Galveston Bay are “nature’s nurseries.” The bay the nation. ● Declining sea grass meadows. Over 70 per- ● The largest commercial harvest of blue crabs of cent of the estuary’s sea grasses disappeared any Texas estuary. between 1950 and 1990. Sea grasses serve as nurseries for many species of fish, including ● One-third of Texas’ commercial fishing income. those prized by recreational fishermen. ● Over one-half of Texas’ recreational fishing ● Vanishing forests and coastal prairies. Both revenues. of these habitats are disappearing rd ● The 3 highest concentration of privately owned at an alarming rate; they protect marinas in the U.S. water quality and are important ● Half of the nation’s petrochemical production. for migratory waterfowl and ● The 2nd largest port in the U.S. rare birds. ● More than 4 million people living near and along ● Pollution. Pollution has made its shores. many of the area’s bayous, creeks, and some parts of the Galveston Bay’s bounty comes from its dif- Bay unsuitable for swimming ferent habitats, such as bayous, wetlands, sea or fishing. grass meadows, and oyster reefs. Keeping these habitats healthy is vital to ensuring that the Bay ● Seafood contamination. continues to provide sustenance and enjoyment Due to contaminants found for generations to come. in crab and fish tissue, residents have been advised not to eat seafood caught along the upper photo by NASA Houston Ship Channel nurtures juvenile shrimp, oysters, crabs, and fin and in adjacent areas by fish. Without a well-functioning estuary, there the Texas Department of State would be little local seafood in our restaurants, Health Services. and recreational and commercial fishing would ● Population growth. The expected dramatically decline. 60-percent increase in population Galveston Bay is your bay—a place to fish, projected for the Houston region by hunt, bird watch, boat, kayak, and of course, eat 2025 will further stress the Bay. great seafood. The estuary provides environmental, economic, Learn more about and aesthetic resources to the Houston-Galveston Galveston Bay’s challenges region. at www.gbep.state.tx.us The Bay serves different purposes for different people, Find Galveston Bay facts and discover the Bay’s value at but it belongs to all of us. www.gbep.state.tx.us
photo by Texas Sea Grant photo by TxDOT
GI-342_6.07.indd 2 6/20/07 4:14:56 PM GALVESTON BAY GALVESTON BAY GALVESTON BAY IS IS AN ESTUARY IS VALUABLE FACING CHALLENGES An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of Galveston Bay has a tremendous impact on our Galveston Bay faces some difficult challenges: water which has a free connection with the open sea economic well-being, health, and quality of life. ● Wetland loss. The estuary lost more than and within which sea water mixes with fresh water. The Bay boasts: 30,000 acres of wetlands between 1950 and Estuaries are one of the planet’s most produc- ● The second most productive fishery in the U.S. 1990. Wetlands provide important habitat for the tive and important ecosystems. Estuaries like ● More oyster production than any other estuary in bay’s aquatic and wildlife species. Galveston Bay are “nature’s nurseries.” The bay the nation. ● Declining sea grass meadows. Over 70 per- ● The largest commercial harvest of blue crabs of cent of the estuary’s sea grasses disappeared any Texas estuary. between 1950 and 1990. Sea grasses serve as nurseries for many species of fish, including ● One-third of Texas’ commercial fishing income. those prized by recreational fishermen. ● Over one-half of Texas’ recreational fishing ● Vanishing forests and coastal prairies. Both revenues. of these habitats are disappearing rd ● The 3 highest concentration of privately owned at an alarming rate; they protect marinas in the U.S. water quality and are important ● Half of the nation’s petrochemical production. for migratory waterfowl and ● The 2nd largest port in the U.S. rare birds. ● More than 4 million people living near and along ● Pollution. Pollution has made its shores. many of the area’s bayous, creeks, and some parts of the Galveston Bay’s bounty comes from its dif- Bay unsuitable for swimming ferent habitats, such as bayous, wetlands, sea or fishing. grass meadows, and oyster reefs. Keeping these habitats healthy is vital to ensuring that the Bay ● Seafood contamination. continues to provide sustenance and enjoyment Due to contaminants found for generations to come. in crab and fish tissue, residents have been advised not to eat seafood caught along the upper photo by NASA Houston Ship Channel nurtures juvenile shrimp, oysters, crabs, and fin and in adjacent areas by fish. Without a well-functioning estuary, there the Texas Department of State would be little local seafood in our restaurants, Health Services. and recreational and commercial fishing would ● Population growth. The expected dramatically decline. 60-percent increase in population Galveston Bay is your bay—a place to fish, projected for the Houston region by hunt, bird watch, boat, kayak, and of course, eat 2025 will further stress the Bay. great seafood. The estuary provides environmental, economic, Learn more about and aesthetic resources to the Houston-Galveston Galveston Bay’s challenges region. at www.gbep.state.tx.us The Bay serves different purposes for different people, Find Galveston Bay facts and discover the Bay’s value at but it belongs to all of us. www.gbep.state.tx.us
photo by Texas Sea Grant photo by TxDOT
GI-342_6.07.indd 2 6/20/07 4:14:56 PM