Dickinson Bayou: A TMDL Project and Use Assessment for Bacteria
A current project to survey recreational uses and develop and implement a
TMDL to reduce bacteria. The TMDL is completed; the I-Plan is in development.
Background and Goals
High concentrations of bacteria measured in Dickinson Bayou Tidal, Segment
1103, and four of its tributaries might pose a health risk for people who swim
or wade in the bayou. Bacteria from human and animal waste may indicate the
presence of disease-causing microorganisms that may cause illness. Swimming and
other forms of recreation in which people come into direct contact with the
water are referred to as contact recreation in the state's standards for the
quality of streams, lakes, and bays.
The TMDL project will characterize the sources of bacteria in the watershed
of the bayou and develop a plan to improve water quality. The goal of the TMDL
is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels for
contact recreation.
The TCEQ will also conduct a recreational use survey and attainability
analysis for part of the bayou. Recreational use-attainability analyses (RUAAs)
are conducted to determine which of the four recreational use categories is
appropriate for a particular water body. During an RUAA project, staff usually
collect:
Information on a water body, such as the presence or absence of water
recreation activities, stream flow type, stream depth Information about the
frequency and types of recreation for which the water body is currently used
Data on physical conditions in a water body
Adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
On February 8, 2012, the commission adopted:
Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou
and Three Tidal Tributaries (PDF) On June 6, 2012, the EPA approved the TMDLs,
at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.
Learn more about the Water Quality Management Plan.
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Reports
Final Technical Support Document
Public Participation
Stakeholders in the watershed have formed the Dickinson Bayou Watershed
Partnership to implement activities that improve water quality in Dickinson
Bayou. Information about the Partnership’s meetings is available on their Web
site. The TCEQ is working with this existing forum to participate with the
public in developing and implementing the TMDL project. Other partners include
the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and the
Texas Cooperative Extension.
Meeting Records, TCEQ-Led Meetings
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting Notes 8/24/2011 • Attendees
were welcomed and the meeting was brought to order by Charriss York, Texas
Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP). • Following introductions of TCWP and Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) staff, a brief background of the
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership was given • Charriss York gave a
presentation including an update on the Dickinson Bayou Bacteria Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) progress including an overview of the process for the upcoming
public comment period • Ms. York also gave an update to the Bacteria TMDL
implementation plan that workgroups have been working on since Febryary.
Management measures determine by each of the three work groups (On‐site Sewage
Facilities, Wastewater Treatment Facilities, and Animal Sources) and their
associated load reductions were discussed.
• A copy of Ms. York’s presentation can be found at:
• Questions/comments were taken throughout the presentation these include:
o Partnership members asked that in the future bacteria load reductions be
presented in a more meaningful and easy to understand fashion such as
representing the bayou as a 55 gallon barrel and pollution loads a portion of
that barrel o Questions about septic systems and who is responsible for
permitting them in the watershed o Questions about the chemicals used in
wastewater treatment facilities and how they impact the bayou o Recommendation
to include information about other types of pollution such as pharmaceuticals
SFR-066/11 January 2012
Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Texas: 2011 Annual Report by the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas State Soil & Water
Conservation Board
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Protection Plan Implementation Project
Dickinson Bayou does not meet water quality standards for DO or pathogen
indicator bacteria. The Dickinson Bayou Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) outlines
a series of actions for improving the overall health of the watershed and
reducing the amount of pollutants entering the Bayou. These actions are based on
the vision and goals proposed for the watershed by a broad group of stakeholders
representing individual citizens, non-profit and commercial interests, and
local, state, and federal governmental entities.
For the initial implementation phase of the Dickinson Bayou WPP, the Texas
AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife Extension) proposed short-term
implementation measures through a CWA Section 319 grant with the TCEQ. Several
on-the-ground demonstrations of site specific BMPs were funded through this
grant. This funding helped develop educational workshops for many different
groups, NPS-related fact sheets, a pet waste education campaign, lesson plans
for teachers, and also provided youth education using watershed models.
For on-the-ground implementation, AgriLife Extension worked with Clear
Creek School District and City of League City officials on a storm water wetland
(four acres) project at the Education Village on FM 96 in the northeast portion
of the Dickinson Bayou watershed. AgriLife Extension staff also worked with the
City of Dickinson and Keep Dickinson Beautiful to install a rain garden (0.02
acres) and a roof rain catchment cistern (0.03 acres) at the Dickinson Public
Library. In addition, AgriLife Extension staff collaborated with representatives
from the City of Dickinson to install a new watersmart landscape (0.23 acres)
consisting of native trees and shrubs around the new city hall complex. AgriLife
Extension staff also partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(TPWD) Dickinson Marine Laboratory to design and install their new watersmart
landscape (0.012 acres).
The Simple Method for calculating urban storm water loads from the Center
for Watershed Protection was used to determine load reduction from these
on-the-ground BMPs. Estimated reductions are:
Phosphorus 356 lbs
Nitrogen 770 lbs
SNIP...
133 PAGE REPORT AS FOLLOWS ;
***303(d) List for elevated levels of bacteria, PCBs, dioxins in edible
fish tissue, and impaired macrobenthic communities
Clean Water Act 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program
Development of a Watershed Protection Plan for Cedar Bayou
TSSWCB Project Number 10-08
Revision No. 0
Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan Texas State Soil and Water
Conservation Board
Prepared by:
Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120 Houston, TX
77027
Effective Period: Upon EPA Approval through October 31, 2013 (With annual
revisions required)
Questions concerning this quality assurance project plan should be directed
to: Justin Bower P.O. Box 22777 Houston, TX 77227-2777 (713) 499-6653 Justin.Bower@H-GAC.com
Project No. 10-08 Section A5 Revision No. 0 8/29/12 Page 15
In the 2008 Texas Water Quality Inventory (TWQI) and 303(d) List, Cedar
Bayou Above Tidal (0902) is listed as impaired for macrobenthic communities.
Cedar Bayou Tidal (0901) is listed as non-supporting of the contact recreation
standard due to elevated levels of indicator bacteria, and is also impaired for
PCBs and Dioxin in edible fish tissue.
In the 2010 Integrated Report for Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and
303(d), the same impairments exist, with the exception of a delisting of Segment
0902 for impaired macrobenthic communities. However, the 2010 Integrated Report
also indicates that Segment 0902 has concerns for impaired macrobenthic
communities and depressed dissolved oxygen, while Segment 0901 has a concern for
chlorophyll-a.
Cedar Bayou Tidal is part of the Houston Ship Channel and Upper Galveston
Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project for Dioxin and Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fish Tissue. Additionally, the TMDL for Upper Galveston Bay
(Segment 2421), currently being addressed in the Upper Gulf Coast Oyster Waters
TMDL Implementation Plan, is potentially affected by flow from the Bayou. Some
aspects of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution are being addressed by the City of
Baytown and the Joint Task Force (Harris County, Harris County Flood Control
District, the City of Houston, and the Texas Department of Transportation
(TXDOT) through their respective TPDES storm water permits, which include areas
in the Harris County portions of the watershed. Cedar Bayou supports appreciable
recreational activity, including boating, swimming, and fishing, which could be
impacted by these water quality impairments. Cedar Bayou is also a tributary to
the Galveston Bay system, thus these contaminants potentially impact a wide
range of economic and ecological interests even beyond their watershed of
origin. To that end, H-GAC sought CWA §319(h) grant funding from the EPA through
the TSSWCB for the development of a watershed protection plan for Cedar Bayou,
resulting in this project.
SNIP...SEE 133 PAGES OF HOW AND WHAT THEY INTEND ON DOING
2010 REPORT ON TROUBLED WATERS GALVESTON BAY
Water bodies must meet certain standards for recreational uses, including
swimming, wading and fishing, or they will be listed as impaired by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Only six stream segments within the
region are considered acceptable for recreation. The causes for the impairments
vary, however, the most significant water quality concern throughout the region
continues to be high levels of bacteria. Toxicity, particularly dioxin in fish
tissue, is also a problem in 75% of the region’s tidal water ways, though
generally isolated to the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay. Several Total
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies are currently under way to address these
issues.
SEE PAGE 6 ;
Summary of Water Quality Impairments and Concerns
Basin & Segment Name Number DO Bacteria Nutrients Dioxin/PCBs Other
Frog(s)
X’S = FROGS IN THIS FORMAT...TSS
Trinity - San Jacinto Coastal Basin
Cedar Bayou Above Tidal 902 100 X X X X
X X X X Impairment or concern exists in the water body
Cedar Bayou Tidal 901 100 100 100 X
X Severe, multiple water quality impairments and/or concerns exist in the
majority of the water body
SNIP...
Regional Concerns
• Most water bodies in our region are considered unsuitable for
recreational activities like swimming.
• More than half of our waterways do not meet state guidelines due to
elevated levels of bacteria.
• More than 74% of the region’s waterways have elevated levels of
nutrients.
• Approximately 27% of the region’s waterways have low levels of dissolved
oxygen.
• Nearly 75% of our tidal waterways are impaired by dioxin or PCBs in fish
tissue.
SNIP...
2010 Basin Highlights Report 8
Most Improved/Degraded Streams for Bacteria
SNIP...
Most Degraded
Water quality tests show that Clear Creek Above Tidal, Dickinson Bayou
Tidal, Chocolate Bayou Tidal, and Lake Conroe stream segments have increased
bacteria levels up to 900%.
Pinpointing the exact causes of increased bacteria levels is difficult.
Overall, failing septic tanks, sanitary sewer overflows, poorly maintained waste
water treatment plants, agriculture, livestock, and pet waste are the usual
sources. The real questions are which of those sources are responsible for the
largest portions of the bacteria problem and how do we prioritize the solutions.
For example, in the Dickinson Bayou Tidal stream segment, an increase in
development as well as sanitary sewer line breaks that discharged a large amount
of untreated sewage into the bayou are two significant factors leading to
increased bacteria levels. The TCEQ is currently conducting a TMDL study in the
Dickinson Bayou segment to help determine which sources are contributing to the
bacteria problem.
Texas Sea Grant is also developing a Watershed Protection Plan to recommend
actions that can be taken by local communities to reduce bacteria.
*** Water Bodies Impaired by Bacteria* SEE MAP PAGE 10
*** Water Bodies Impaired by Dioxin/PCBs in Fish Tissue* SEE MAP PAGE 11
2008 REPORT ON TROUBLED WATERS GALVESTON BAY
Ranking Key a 1 Frog = Significant water quality impairment and/or concerns
have been identified.
a Cedar Bayou Tidal (0901) Major tributaries: Cary Bayou, McGee Gully
The tidal portion of Cedar Bayou is currently listed as not meeting its
fish consumption use due to elevated levels of dioxin in catfish and crab
tissue. The segment is also listed as impaired due to elevated levels of
bacteria. In addition, PCBs in edible tissue were added to the Draft 303(d) List
in 2008.
In response to a seafood advisory issued for the area by the DSHS in 1990,
a TMDL was initiated for dioxin. Researchers are investigating the extent and
level of dioxin contamination in sediment and tissue in the HSC and Upper
Galveston Bay.
The ongoing dioxin TMDL study was divided into three separate phases. The
first phase focused on assessing current conditions, the second on data
gathering for all media types in order to quantify dioxin levels and the third
is currently focusing on model development and load allocation. H-GAC began
monitoring and collecting conventional chemical parameters along with bacteria
in the tidal portion of the bayou in September 2007.
VIDEO of ANNUAL MASSIVE FLOUNDER FISH KILL OFF BACLIFF, SAN LEON, AND
BAYVIEW...
Galveston County BACLIFF TEXAS FLOUNDER FISH KILL MASSIVE AUGUST 11,
2012
see video of massive flounder kill with Seabreeze article September 6, 2012
;
Thousands of Flounder Killed on San Leon Bacliff Shoreline (AGAIN)
additional sources for flounder kill video;
Who is responsible for this major screw-up? I believe it is a combination
of HL&P not doing the dredging they agreed to do, and the Army Corps of
Engineers not verifying that work was performed. It all has to do with money. We
have put all of the documentation on our web site. To see the flounder kill
video and copies of the permits and the drawings of the proposed dredging that
was never done please visit ; Spillway inlet outlet canal Permit 5972 Hwy 146
Bacliff Texas pdf file
October 10, 2012
IKE DIKE PROPOSED BY RICE UNIVERSITY hangs our Bayshore communities out to
dry, IN 25 FEET OF WATER, to make way for WATERFRONT RECREATION $$$
see toxic shit islands (GLIT i.e. glue and shit), being built around the
shit channel, from dredge materials, and being passed off as a benefit for the
community by the Army Corp. Eng. and parties involved.
GLIT ISLAND
GLIT ISLAND DOCK
GLIT ISLAND TRACTOR SPREADING A LOAD OF ?
JUST NORTH OF GLIT ISLAND, YOU HAVE MANY MORE GLIT TYPE ISLANDS BEING
MANUFACTURED
1ST GLIT TYPE ISLAND PAST THE ORIGINAL GLIT ISLAND, WE HAVE GLIT ISLAND
2
GLID ISLAND 2
see tractors and pattern works here ???
zoom in and zoom out
JUST PAST THAT, GLIT ISLAND 3
GLIT ISLAND 3
(you can see the dredge way to the right of the photo. zoom in, and look at
the waters of the bay from the dragline...)
ZOOM IN
GLIT ISLAND 4, JUST NORTH OF GLIT ISLAND 3,
GLIT ISLAND 4 SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO MANY GLIT TYPE ISLANDS NOW BEING
FORMED AND FILLED IN, that eventually, once running northward, start to turn
green, just before the Atkinson Island Wildlife Management area
Sunday, December 9, 2012
RICE DIKE PROPOSAL COULD DESTROY GALVESTON BAY BAYSHORE COMMUNITIES
TSS
