Contacts: Allen Berthold, 979-845-2028, taberthold@ag.tamu.edu
Michael Schramm, 979-458-9191, michael.schramm@ag.tamu.edu
Arenosa Creek. (Texas Water Resources Institute photo)
VICTORIA – The Texas Water Resources Institute, or TWRI, is hosting a meeting Nov. 7 in Victoria for anyone interested in becoming involved in a partnership to improve and protect water quality in the Garcitas and Arenosa Creek watersheds.
The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. at the Victoria County 4-H Activity Center, 259 Bachelor Drive.
TWRI is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Dr. Allen Berthold, TWRI senior research scientist, College Station, said the meeting is the second in a series with local stakeholders to address water quality impairments in Arenosa Creek and Garcitas Creek.
“Bacteria concentration in Arenosa Creek currently exceeds the state water quality standard for recreation,” he said.
Berthold said through a project it manages, TWRI will be working with local landowners, agricultural producers, residents and other stakeholders to develop a plan comprised of strategies to reduce bacteria and other pollutants in local waterways.
“At the meeting, we will discuss the water quality data then present an overview of partnership structures, strategies and examples of different approaches for addressing water quality issues,” he said.
Michael Schramm, TWRI research associate, College Station, said the meeting’s primary purpose is to inform stakeholders and organize the watershed partnership.
“The goal of the partnership is to develop a plan for improving water quality and reducing bacteria levels in the creeks,” he said. “Getting local involvement from interested individuals and developing a voluntary plan of action is the first step to successfully improving and protecting water quality.”
For more information, visit the project website at http://matagordabasin.tamu.edu or contact Schramm at michael.schramm@ag.tamu.edu.
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