Join us in 2021 as we continue to protect our wetlands, and advance the health of our waters and communities.

Friend, it's hard to believe that December is already here—complete with our first cold fronts and the twinkling of neighborhood lights. We've been busy these last few months on behalf of your watershed; I hope you'll check out what we've been up to in the highlights below.

In November, we hosted our annual Folks 'n Oysters and were able to honor our founding board member Sharron Stewart. As a tireless advocate for our coastal and bay waters, Sharron has been a driving force in Texas, Galveston Bay, and our collective movement for clean water.  If you missed the party you can still send Sharron a message of thanks, as well as check out the excellent oyster recipes from local chefs, Matt Baum and Jared Harvey. Click here.

While the pandemic has presented us with organizational challenges, we have not backed down from our commitment to protect and restore your watershed. Thanks to supporters like you, we're continuing to forge a bold path for cleaner water and healthier watershed into 2021. As December comes to close, we are excited to announce a wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your support into the new year. Thanks to a generous commitment by a group of donors, you can have your end of year gift matched, dollar for dollar, through December 31st. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Help us to continue to make a big impact throughout your watershed! We hope you have wonderful winter celebrations, and a safe & festive new year. Thank you for your support.

For Our Waters,

Jordan Macha
Executive Director & Waterkeeper

Development Continues in the 100-Year Floodplain Despite Clear Community Risk

As the City of Houston, Harris County, and Harris County Flood Control District work to move people out of harm’s way, developers continue to build in floodplains across our watershed at an aggressive pace. Recently, on Follet’s Island in Brazoria County, Sand on the Floor, Inc. a developer applied for a Section 404 permit to develop 45 residential lots. The project is located in a 100-year floodplain and in an ecologically sensitive coastal area that is extremely vulnerable to flooding and storm surges. 

This is one example of many. Developments within the floodplains, over wetlands that otherwise would protect communities from flooding, are ongoing across the watershed, including in Katy, Kingwood, League City, and Hitchcock. 

Read more about this proposed development on Follet's Island and how Bayou City Waterkeeper is working to keep people out of harm's way and further investments in community resiliency.

Army Corps Extends Comment Period for Coastal Barrier Until January 13, 2021

Right now, the Army Corps is taking comment on their Coastal Texas Study, featuring the Coastal Barrier proposed for Galveston Bay. Thanks to your efforts, the comment period has been extended for 30 days until January 13, 2021. Tonight is the last opportunity to give verbal comments at the Army Corps' public meeting. You can sign-up to attend on their Coastal Texas Study website here.

In addition to verbal comments, you can send a letter direct to the Corps and your elected officials. We’re calling on the Army Corps to consider more cost-effective and less environmentally destructive options – such as funding for non-structural projects, like elevating homes and engineering them to withstand surge, wind and flood; restoring the natural environment to lessen the impacts from surge; and limiting structures in flood risk areas and ecologically vulnerable places, to ensure that people remain out of harm’s way. Take Action Below.