Galveston Bay Report Card

Anja BorskiGalveston Bay Foundation

About Galveston Bay• Largest Bay in Texas,

7th Largest in the Nation, and 2nd Most Productive Bay in the U.S.

• Averages 8 Feet Deep

• Opens to the Gulf of Mexico at San Luis Pass, Bolivar Roads and (minor) Rollover Pass on Bolivar

About Galveston Bay• Fed by freshwater from the San

Jacinto (28%) and Trinity (54%) rivers, and local bayous and creeks (18%).

• Approximately half of Texans live within the Galveston Bay watershed.

We, The People…

20146 Million

20409.7 Million

Economic Development

Environment

Healthy Community

Housing

Transportation

Resiliency

Population Growth in the Bayou City

Big Ideas from “Our Great Region 204o”Houston-Galveston Area Council

“Our Region’s 16,000 miles of waterways and coastlines, along with our 3,000 parks and natural areas, are among our greatest assets. Having clean air, water, and outdoor recreational opportunities will be crucial to Our Region’s future health, quality of life, and economic vitality.”

“Our Great Region 204o”Houston-Galveston Area Council

• A Research Hub Providing Independent Analysis on Energy, Air, and Water Issues to People Seeking Scientific Answers

• Focused on building a sustainable future that helps people thrive and nature flourish.

Galveston Bay Foundationand Houston Advanced Research Center

• Preserve, Protect and Enhance the Natural Resources of the Galveston Bay Estuarine System and its Tributaries

• Advocacy

• Conservation

• Education

• Research

Why make a report card?

• Popular method of disseminating environmental information

• Familiarity with report card formats

• Present scientific information with easy-to-understand graphics

• Updated annually

What will the report card address?

• The process will incorporate survey results that gauge the public’s interests and knowledge about bay issues to determine what indicators should be used, and input from stakeholder groups and organizations.

• Indicators chosen for the report card may represent:• Water & Sediment Quality

• Human Health Concerns

• Geologic and Climate Processes

• Habitat and Wildlife Trends

“…How healthy is our bay? Is it safe to swim? Is it safe to eat the seafood? What can I do to help?...”

Our WaterQuantity & Quality

Water QuantityHow much water does it take?

1.5 gallons 20 gallons

1,800 gallons

Water QuantityFreshwater Inflows

• Freshwater is the lifeblood of our bay system.

• With increasing population and drought, how will we ensure that there will be freshwater flowing into our bay?

Photos: Texas Tribune

Water QuantityFreshwater Inflows

60%

Photos: Texas Tribune

Water and Sediment QualityPresent-day water quality challenges in Galveston Bay• Elevated levels of bacteria

• Industrial contaminants in sediments and fish tissue

• Non-point source pollutionPollution from various sources that are difficult to trace (or regulate). Examples include pet waste and excess fertilizer that wash down storm drains and into the bay.

How Our Actions Reach the Bay

Bacteria• 50% of Texas surface waters are impaired with bacteria

• Sources of Enterococci• Human Waste – Boater waste, septic and municipal overflows

during rain events, aging infrastructure• Animal Waste – Wild and domestic warm-blooded animals

Water Quality & Human HealthSeafood Consumption & Contact Recreation

• Where and what types of fish can be caught and consumed safely?

• Is it safe to swim and come into contact with bay water?

Clear Creek upstream and west of Clear Lake.

PCBs. All species of fish.

Galveston Bay system south of a line from Red Bluff Point to Five Mile Cut Marker to Houston Point.

Dioxin and PCBs. All catfish species.

Upper Galveston Bay and all contiguous waters north of a line from Red Bluff Point to Five Mile Cut Marker to Houston Point.

Dioxin and PCBs. All catfish species, spotted seatrout, and blue crab.

The Houston Ship Channel and all contiguous waters north of the Fred Hartman Bridge (Hwy. 146)

Dioxin, organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. All species of fish and blue crab.

SEA

FOO

D A

DV

ISO

RIE

SSE

AFO

OD

AD

VISO

RIE

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Climate and Geology

Geologic & Climate ProcessesSea Level Rise + Subsidence = Relative Sea Level Rise

Data from 1908 to 2006 shows sea level rise equivalent to 2.1 feet in 100 years.

Geologic & Climate Processes

Rising temperatures observed in bays south of Galveston Bay

• Leads to changes in geographic ranges of marine and estuarine species

• Example: Black Mangrove

Photo: Jay Raney, The University of Texas at Austin - Department of Economic Geology

Habitat and Wildlife

Habitat - WetlandsBenefits:

• Nursery grounds

• Water quality

• Shoreline erosion prevention and flood control

Causes of Loss:• Subsidence/sea-level rise

• Conversion to other uses

• Invasion by exotic speciesPhoto: Andrew Hancock

Wetlands Restoration

Before AfterMarsh Mania Bay Harbor – Sept 27th

Oyster ReefsBenefits:

• Ability to filter large volumes of water and improve clarity

• Microhabitat for other species

• Commercial fishery/food source

Causes of Loss:• Historically, oyster shell was harvested for

construction material – prohibited in 1969

• Storm-deposited silt (Hurricane Ike resulted in the loss of approx. 60% of oyster reef habitat)

Wildlife Trends• How healthy are the wildlife populations?

Fish & Shellfish & OystersBirdsMammalsReptiles

• We must continue to promote monitoring of these populations, support the protection of their habitats, and encourage continued improvements to water quality.

How to Get InvolvedTake the public interest survey:

www.galvbay.org/reportcardTell us what you know, and what you’re

interested in learning more about.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions:

[email protected]

How to Get Involved

Visit galvbay.orgFollow us on Facebook for updates on workshops,

events and activities you can participate in.

How to Get Involved

Visit galvbay.orgBecome a GBF Member

Participate in Events

Experience the Bay