Hey everyone, I wanted to give a quick update for April. Last month, the City Council discussed far field modeling for the Inner Harbor desalination plant. They received a presentation from CCW regarding past, present, and future environmental studies for the project, residents voiced their support for more studies during public comment, and I submitted our petition along with the signatures to Council members. Thank you to everyone who wrote in and commented.
The big news item from the meeting on March 25th was that Kiewit and GHD will conduct additional modeling for the Inner Harbor plant. During the presentation, GHD revealed they will be doing a 3D hydrodynamic analysis for the Inner Harbor water segment, looking at the end of the channel over to the USS Lexington, and are already halfway through the process with only two more months to go until it’s completed.
I think this is great news for all of us wanting better science behind this project but personally, I am concerned over the additional study being somewhat limited in scope. Interestingly enough, we found out through records requests that GHD had additional plans in mind for studies that looked at the entire bay system and even one of our main concerns, hypoxia, which both somehow failed to get brought up during CCW’s hour long presentation.
I’m not sure if this was deliberate or not, but if you’re concerned like me, I think it would be a good idea to contact your Council member or leave a comment at the next meeting letting them know you want the larger, bay wide model that also looks at hypoxia.
In other news, there is a bill going through the State Legislature right now, HB 3728, that would require the TCEQ to adopt salinity standards for Texas bays and estuaries. Salinity standards could be a useful way to ensure that our bays don’t get too salty and harm the ecosystems they support. The bill had a hearing last week (starts at 01:22:15) but it has not been voted out of the committee yet. If this is something you’re interested in supporting, I’ve included additional information below along with ways to contact the State Representatives on the committee.
Thank you for your continued support. I’ll keep you updated as more developments occur.
Cheers,
Jason
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HB 3728 by Rep. Morales Shaw (Houston) would require TCEQ to establish salinity criteria standards to protect bays and estuaries - something that’s long overdue. Without this bill, TCEQ won’t update salinity standards until at least 2030, which is way too late given the fast-paced expansion of seawater desalination in Texas. HB 3728 is our best shot at getting clear, enforceable protections in place as soon as possible, before things get worse.
The desal industry, City of Corpus Christi, and other pro-desal interests are strongly opposed to any additional salinity standard requirements. As usual, their narrative is that protections are good enough right now. We know this isn’t true, and to get HB 3728 out of committee we need your help.
Your voice and opinion can be impactful. Committee members are especially interested in impacts to seafood businesses, anglers, birders, coastal communities, and anyone who cares about the economic impacts of preserving healthy, thriving coastal waters.
We need your voices to help secure the votes to get it out of committee. Even if you live away from the coast and visit for recreation or vacation, your voice can make a difference!
What can you do to help?
Contact Chair and Vice Chair: Send a personal email to the committee leaders, Chairman Will Metcalf and Vice Chair Lulu Flores. Contact information and a sample
Do you know any fisherfolk, shrimpers, oyster fishermen, bird watchers, tourism companies, or small businesses who depend on healthy bays and estuaries? Let them know about this bill and ask them to send a quick letter.
To learn more about the bill, here is a one-pager that gives a solid overview of the bill.
Let’s stand together for stronger protections for our coastal communities and ecosystems!
Contact Information for the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism
For ease, you can copy/paste this email block into the “send to” section of your email:
will.metcalf@house.texas.gov, district51.flores@house.texas.gov, sheryl.cole@house.texas.gov, mano.deayala@house.texas.gov, helen.kerwin@house.texas.gov, trey.martinezfischer@house.texas.gov, angelia.orr@house.texas.gov, cody.vasut@house.texas.gov, charlene.wardjohnson@house.texas.gov
Rep. Will Metcalf (Chair)
will.metcalf@house.texas.gov
512-463-0726
Rep. Lulu Flores (Vice Chair)
district51.flores@house.texas.gov
512-463-0674
Rep. Sheryl Cole
sheryl.cole@house.texas.gov
512-463-0506
Rep. Mano DeAyala
mano.deayala@house.texas.gov
512-463-0514
Rep. Helen Kerwin
helen.kerwin@house.texas.gov
512-463-0538
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer
trey.martinezfischer@house.texas.gov
512-463-0616
Rep. Angelia Orr
angelia.orr@house.texas.gov
512-463-0600
Rep. Cody Vasut
cody.vasut@house.texas.gov
512-463-0564
Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson
charlene.wardjohnson@house.texas.gov
512-463-0554
Sample email script:
Dear Representative [Committee Member’s Name],
Please support HB 3728, which would require TCEQ to establish salinity standards for Texas bays and estuaries. With seawater desalination expanding quickly, we can’t afford to wait any longer without clear and enforceable salinity standards. This bill is a common-sense step to protect not just the environment, but jobs, seafood, recreation, and a way of life that makes Texas’ coast so unique.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City & Zip]