Institute to hold second 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 a Nov. 2 meeting in Lolita for those interested in improving water quality in Carancahua Bay.

The free meeting will be 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 is the second in a series with local residents and other stakeholders to develop strategies that address water quality in the 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, College Station, said the 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 meeting will provide an overview of current water quality and voluntary practices landowners can use to improve and protect water quality.

“We will explain the watershed-based planning process to address water quality concerns and discuss the best management practices most likely to succeed,” he said.

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

“We’re encouraging citizens 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/carancahua-bay/ or contact Schramm at michael.schramm@ag.tamu.edu.