The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is hosting three meetings this summer for anyone interested in improving and protecting the Tres Palacios Creek watershed along the Texas Gulf Coast.
The Tres Palacios Watershed stakeholder meetings will be June 14, July 7 and Aug. 9. All three meetings will be at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 209 Lucas Ave. in Palacios.
Dr. Allen Berthold, TWRI research scientist, said the institute is working with local stakeholders to develop a watershed-based strategy for reducing bacteria levels in the creek.
“The tidal portion of Tres Palacios Creek, which primarily occupies part of Matagorda and Wharton counties, is currently designated by the state as impaired because of elevated bacteria concentrations periodically found there,” he said.
Berthold said at each meeting stakeholders can provide input on existing chapters of the draft watershed protection plan and review content for remaining chapters. Chapter drafts will be provided or stakeholders can go to the project website, matagordabasin.tamu.edu, to download available chapters, he said.
“We want stakeholders to review what has been developed so far and ensure that everything is accurate,” he said. “We also need their input on management practices to ensure that all potential sources of bacteria have a management strategy and that the strategy is appropriate for the watershed.”
Berthold encouraged local residents to attend these meetings and become part of the planning process, even if they have not attended previous meetings.
“Local input is essential for developing and implementing a successful strategy to address the bacteria issues,” he said.
For more information, contact Berthold at 979.845.2028 or taberthold@ag.tamu.edu.
