Galveston Bay and the Future
Scott Jones from the Galveston Bay Foundation was our guest speaker this week. He discussed the Environmental Flows Allocation Process and how this will help assure the vitality of Galveston Bay into the future.
What are 'environmental flows'? -
Environmental flows are the amount of water necessary for a river, estuary or other freshwater system to maintain its health and productivity.
Why this law is unique -
In Texas, like much of the West, the concept of leaving water for the environment has been controversial. Water left in a river to flow out into an estuary or the Gulf of Mexico was once commonly described as 'wasted.' Now we know better.
The new law is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, as it will set environmental flow standards for every major river system in the state. The law sets up a public process for soliciting input from scientists and stakeholders. The state will then adopt legal standards for each river and bay system.
If implemented well, this should set a national precedent showing how water resources can be managed rationally to meet human needs and protect the environment..The legislation grew out of negotiations between environmental groups and an association of water suppliers.
Why it matters to wildlife - This new law will benefit rivers and streams throughout the state, but its impact may be most pronounced along the coast.
Texas has seven major coastal estuaries, or bays, formed by freshwater from rivers mixing with the saltier water of the Gulf of Mexico. This mixture of salt and fresh water is vital for fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs and many species of birds. It is the engine behind the $2 billion coastal recreational and commercial fishing economy.
The diversity of bird species found on the Texas coast is among the highest in the world. A birding destination near Matagorda Bay, for example, regularly tops the Audubon Society's prestigious Christmas Bird Count. The endangered whooping crane, which winters along San Antonio Bay near the mouth of the Guadalupe and San Antonio rivers, illustrates the importance of adequate flows
The issue is pressing.
Texas is growing faster than any other state in the nation; the population may double by mid-century. Projections, such as the National Wildlife Federation's 2004 report Bays in Peril, indicate that many of the state's rivers and estuaries could end up deprived of adequate freshwater, particularly in drier years. However, there is still time to change course and to avoid serious long-term damage to Texas' rivers and estuaries. To learn more - and find out how you can be of help, visit The Galveston Bay Foundation website |
