The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded more than $2.4 million to revitalize coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) are the grant recipients. They will use the money to restore land lost in areas where commercial and industrial development has decreased natural areas causing habitat loss and land degradation.
The funds will be split between the three organizations. TCEQ developed the Galveston Bay Estuary Program which includes a comprehensive conservation and management plan (CCMP). The plan focuses on restoration and maintenance of chemical, physical and biological integrity of estuaries. The state of Texas will receive $815,000 towards activities that include assessing trends in water quality, natural resources and implementation of the CCMP.
CBBEP, a local Texas non-profit, will receive $800,000 to implement plans to protect and restore the health and productivity of Texas’ bays and estuaries. CBBEP is a volunteer organization that works with industry, environmental groups, bay users and local governments to improve the health of the coastal areas.
