WATERSHED PROTECTION PLANS
Because of ongoing water quality issues, the East Fork of the San Jacinto River does not meet minimum quality standards set by the state of Texas to protect the health of local communities and the environment. To address these issues, the East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed Partnership will be developing and implementing the East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed Protection Plan. This non-regulatory planning effort is being supported by the project partners, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
What does a watershed protection plan do?
Developing a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) is a way for communities to use scientific analyses and local knowledge to improve water quality in their area. This process focuses on developing voluntary, effective solutions to address current and future contamination sources. WPPs are developed by a group of local stakeholders who are supported by the project partners. The East Fork San Jacinto River WPP will identify:
When approved, the WPP will provide a roadmap for future action, a point of coordination for local decision-makers, and an avenue for attracting additional funding to support local efforts.
- Causes and sources of pollution
- Necessary reductions to meet state water quality standards
- Feasible, voluntary solutions
- Responsible parties
- Technical and financial resources needed
- Timelines for implementing recommendations
- Ongoing ways to evaluate the project's effectiveness.
When approved, the WPP will provide a roadmap for future action, a point of coordination for local decision-makers, and an avenue for attracting additional funding to support local efforts.
Project Timeline
The development of the East Fork San Jacinto River WPP began in late 2021, and will conclude in the summer of 2024. Project staff will develop technical information in mid-2022, and local stakeholder involvement is expected to begin in late 2022. After the WPP is completed and approved by the stakeholders, it will submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and United States Environmental Protection Agency for approval.
Important Terms
Watershed - All of the area that drains to a common waterway when it rains is called its watershed. Everything that happens on the land in the drainage area of the East Fork of the San Jacinto River and its tributaries can impact water quality. Because of the vast network of smaller streams, drainage channels, and other waterways that feed into the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, its watershed is large, and its water quality is affected by areas far from the river itself.
Stakeholders - Anyone who has some connection to the land in the watershed is a stakeholder. The stakeholders of the East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed include residents, local governments, landowners and agricultural producers, business and industry, and community organizations. Anyone who lives in, works in, owns a piece of, recreates in, or otherwise is connected to the watershed can be a stakeholder.
Watershed Partnership - The East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed Partnership is a voluntary association of local stakeholders led by a Steering Committee representing the various types of stakeholders in the watershed. The Partnership is responsible for making all decisions related to the development of the WPP, and will guide its future implementation. Anyone with an interest in the watershed area is welcome to be part of the Partnership.
Stakeholders - Anyone who has some connection to the land in the watershed is a stakeholder. The stakeholders of the East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed include residents, local governments, landowners and agricultural producers, business and industry, and community organizations. Anyone who lives in, works in, owns a piece of, recreates in, or otherwise is connected to the watershed can be a stakeholder.
Watershed Partnership - The East Fork San Jacinto River Watershed Partnership is a voluntary association of local stakeholders led by a Steering Committee representing the various types of stakeholders in the watershed. The Partnership is responsible for making all decisions related to the development of the WPP, and will guide its future implementation. Anyone with an interest in the watershed area is welcome to be part of the Partnership.