Clean Coast Texas

Project Summary

Developing a Fully Approved Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program

The Texas Coast is a vital component to the Texas economy, providing billions in economic value to the state. The region serves as the state's main trade hub and generates more than one-fifth of the energy produced in the United States. In addition, the Texas Coast supports a variety of other industries, including manufacturing, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, agriculture and forestry.

Water quality throughout the Texas Coast varies widely from pristine, high-quality waters to those that are too polluted to meet water quality standards. These water quality problems stem from a wide array of pollutants associated with point sources and nonpoint sources of pollution within coastal watersheds.

The Texas General Land Office established the Texas Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program in 1996 (now called Clean Coast Texas), which is currently operating under conditional approval by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency, to protect and enhance important natural resources along the Gulf Coast. The program is comprised of six networked agencies that coordinate and implement coastal nonpoint source pollution management measures. 

In 2018, the Meadows Center began working with Texas General Land Office to support the development of a fully approved Texas Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program in accordance with Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) §6217. Our work on this project includes:

• Pursuing formal federal approval of the Texas Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program's urban management measures including watershed protection, site development, existing development, new development, and roads/highways/bridges. 
• Completing and distributing the Coastal Stormwater Management Manual to all MS4, non-MS4 and county offices located in the Coastal Management Zone to establish relationships and develop opportunities for engagement with local government entities to advance the adoption of the manual. 
• Coordinating with two local governments or regional entities to review their local stormwater needs, identify potential retrofit planning opportunities, and perform a review of their existing codes and criteria and develop a draft methodology as to how the Manual could be incorporated into their community.
• Developing a website to best reach the program's target audience: city and county staff, including planners and city administrators; local elected officials; and the general public.
• Creating a workshop and online learning module, based on the Coastal Stormwater Management Manual, to engage with coastal communities and improve stormwater management strategies.