Institute to hold first meeting on improving Carancahua Bay water quality

Contacts: Allen Berthold, 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu

Michael Schramm, 979-458-5962, michael.schramm@ag.tamu.edu

LOLITA – The Texas Water Resources Institute is hosting an Aug. 17 meeting in Lolita for anyone interested in becoming involved in a partnership to improve and protect water quality in Carancahua Bay.

The meeting is free and will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Lolita United Methodist Church, 94 College St.

Michael Schramm, an institute research associate in College Station, said the meeting will be the first in a series with local residents and other local stakeholders to develop strategies that address water quality in Carancahua Bay.

“A portion of Carancahua Bay is currently designated as impaired by the state due to elevated bacteria that exceed state water quality standards,” he said.

Dr. Allen Berthold, an institute research scientist, said the Texas Water Resources Institute manages a project that works with local landowners, agricultural producers, residents and other stakeholders to develop a plan and strategies to reduce bacteria in local waterways.

Berthold said the initial meeting will give an overview of water quality and the steps needed to reduce bacterial pollution in the watershed.

“We will explain the watershed-based planning process to address these water quality concerns and the proposed timeline for developing a plan,” he said.

Schramm said interested individuals have multiple ways to become involved in the planning process.

“We’re encouraging residents of the region to attend this meeting as their input is essential for identifying locally important issues and feasible plans of action to improve water quality,” he said.

For more information, visit the project website at http://matagordabasin.tamu.edu or contact Schramm at michael.schramm@ag.tamu.edu.