ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON
Grant: $1,809,700 - Environmental Protection Agency - May. 20, 2009
100% voted satisfied - 0% voted not satisfied - 2 vote(s) cast
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Award Description: This award (ARRA-TX-CWA604(b)-WQMP) funds multiple activities in two broad categories - watershed planning and water quality monitoring - which are both authorized under the Clean Water Act, Section 205(j)(2). Watershed plans set the framework for obtaining financial and regulatory commitments to implement measures that restore and protect water quality. Water quality monitoring efforts help determine the nature, extent, and causes of water quality problems. Specifically, the funds support the following projects: (1) Collection of water quality and flow data from the Rio Grande and Pecos River by the U.S. Geological Survey ($299,500); deliverables are water quality and flow data. (2) Development of watershed delineation tools by the U.S. Geological Survey ($170,000); deliverables are ArcGIS geodatabase and metadata for watersheds associated with TCEQ monitoring stations. (3) Development of the first components of a watershed plan for Double Bayou by the GeoTechnology Research Institute ($206,322); deliverables are elements A-D of the nine-element watershed plan. (4) Development of the first components of a watershed plan for Highland Bayou by the Texas Agrilife Extension Service ($275,00); deliverables are elements A-D of the nine-element watershed plan. (5) Expansion of a volunteer surface water quality monitoring program in nine rural counties in northeast Texas by the Ark-Tex Council of Governments ($24,400); deliverables are a report on needs assessment and additions to the existing program, which will be determined during the needs assessment. (6) Expansion of a regional non-point source pollution abatement initiative in the Houston area that includes developing a watershed protection plan for the San Bernard River by the Houston-Galveston Area Council ($292,805); deliverables are a nine-element watershed protection plan, a clearinghouse of model ordinances, report on land cover changes, and a septic system database. (7) Incorporation of a long-range watershed protection strategy for water supply reservoirs into a regional ecosystem framework for the Dallas-Fort Worth area by the North Central Texas Council of Governments ($292,805); deliverables are report on water supply reservoirs, greenprint maps, and a report on watershed protection strategy. (8) Collection of nutrient outfall data from twenty wastewater treatment plants in the Arroyo Colorado by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council ($89,468); deliverables are a Quality Assurance Project Plan and water quality data. (9) Development of a plan for upgrading TCEQ's Houston laboratory, contractor to be determined ($50,000); deliverable is a master plan for significant upgrades to the laboratory. (10) Provision of temporary administrative support within TCEQ to develop and help manage the ARRA contracts, by TIBH Industries ($80,000). An additional $24,400 is being re-programmed to one or more of the regional planning agencies, after one of the agencies withdrew from ARRA funding in late September 2009. Only $5,000 is retained by the TCEQ for travel by existing TCEQ staff to oversee contractors through-out the state. Of the total grant award, 40% ($723,878) is budgeted for projects with the regional planning organizations.
Project Description: As of September 30, 2009, contracts have been signed for five of the ten planned contracts (3 sub-recipient and 2 vendor), accounting for about 50% of the 604(b) award to TCEQ. The work under these five contracts began in the month of September and jobs are reported for work performed in September; however, ARRA payments have not been made as of 9/30/09.
Jobs Summary: Jobs created and jobs retained are: Hydrologist, Physical Scientist, Research Technician, Geographic Information System/Remote Sensing Research Associate, Research Scientist, Environmental Planner, Clean Rivers Program Manager, and Administrative Support for conract development. The projects associated with these jobs began in the month of September and the jobs are reported for work performed in September; however, ARRA payments have not been made as of 9/30/09. Jobs (FTEs) were calculated by summing the hours worked September 1 - 30 and dividing by 173.3 (rather than 520) which is the allowable full-time schedule in this first reporting period. (Total jobs reported: 3)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on May. 20, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
Funds from this award have been disbursed to sub-grantees. Click here to see a list of sub-grantees.
Sub-grantees
| Recipient | Amount | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTER | $206,322 | SPRING | TX |
| Houston-Galveston Area Council | $292,805 | HOUSTON | TX |
| North Central Texas Council of Governments | $292,805 | ARLINGTON | TX |
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