Chairman: Sonny Kaiser, Michael Baker, Jr. Inc.
Vice Chairman: Ellen Stephenson, Jacobs
Call for meeting times and location: 281-875-0660
Environment Committee
2012 Goals and Objectives
GOALS
The Committee will inform NHA members and north Houston citizens of environmental issues as they affect transportation, mobility, land use, or other activities and lead appropriate strategies for improvements. Further, the committee will strive to ensure it receives information covering the many sides of an issue to better position it for informed and balanced recommendations.
OBJECTIVES
Invite guest speakers for the Environment Committee meetings to inform/educate members on issues of interest to include General Environmental Issues, Development, Air Quality Issues, Water Issues, Drainage Issues, Global Climate Change, and Parks and Recreation.
Advocate Environmental Issues of Concern
Issue white papers and/or recommendations for advocacy related to environmental resources including but not limited to those listed above. Advocacy may include conducting special events, providing resolutions, and participating in meetings with agencies, legislators, or other entities.
Communicate and coordinate with the NHA Transportation Committee to monitor planning documents and ongoing projects and advocate for environmental studies performed on various projects in North Houston including the Grand Parkway. Have representation at various NHA committees that provide updates to the Environment Committee.
Monitor legislative issues that resulted from the 2011 Legislative Session. Identify environmental issues that warrant advocacy and action. Develop a list of issues for the 2013 legislative session that could be reviewed by the Board. This would allow for some advance work in 2012 for any issues of interest to the Board.
Educate and inform NHA members and citizens of NHA efforts, programs, organizations, committees, and projects that affect day-to-day affiliates of North Houston.
Committee Activities for Issues of Interest
General Environmental Issues
- Monitor and comment, as necessary, on proposed government action on environmental issues that may generally impact transportation/mobility and land use. Such issues may include wetlands, outdoor burning, storm water, stream restoration and mitigation updates, and landfills. Other issues may include those delineated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), State Implementation Plan (SIP), Clean Air Act conformity, the Endangered Species Act, and Section 404 (wetlands) permitting, and any other activity deemed relevant to the North Houston Association.
- Participate in and support Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition.
- Participate in Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition and other organizations identified by the committee.
- Monitor the Bush Airport Master Plan Environmental Impact Statement process on environmental issues in relation to expansion efforts as appropriate as this project continues.
- Monitor activities of special interest groups and provide comments, support or opposition, as the case may require, should a group develop a position of interest to NHA. Special interest groups may include: H-GAC’s Greater Houston Clean Cities Coalition, Bayou Land Conservancy and Bayou Greenway Initiative.
Development
Enhance the membership’s understanding of issues related to environmental issues and its impact on real estate. Identify and understand role of various local jurisdictions in construction and development.
A number of initiatives may move forward on "Sustainable Infrastructure" by the Administration in Washington. Advocate for Low Impact Development and green building [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) program] and provide information to members. Projects are not limited to site specific developments, but can be thought of in terms of transportation activities and corridor studies as well. Work with NHA Development Trends Committee regarding this initiative.
Air Quality Issues
Through the Air Quality Subcommittee established, obtain information on and provide updates to the committee and NHA Board of Directors regarding the State Implementation Plan (SIP), Harris County policies, and City of Houston policies.
Water Issues
Actively monitor and participate in public dialogue (and lead, when appropriate) regarding government action(s) related to water quantity, water quality and subsidence.
Monitor US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) implementation of an expanded National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES).
Actively monitor and participate in storm water management programs affecting the NHA region.
Monitor efforts by local/regional agencies to ensure a long-term, adequate, high-quality and economical water supply for the North Houston area.
These areas/actions may include:
- Houston-Galveston Area Council’s water quality efforts of the Bacteria Implementation Group.
- Conversion to surface water within unincorporated areas of Harris County in compliance with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence district regulatory plan and Montgomery County in compliance with Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District regulatory plan.
- Programs and policies of City of Houston, Region H Water Planning Group, Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) Implementation of Texas Water Quality Certification Rules.
Continue Water Policy Subcommittee to monitor and comment on legislation that would impact regional Water Rights.
Drainage Issues
Monitor plans for drainage improvements and regulations by Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District and other local agencies, cities, and improvement districts.
Enhance membership’s understanding of work undertaken by the various drainage coalitions and organizations, including Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition.
Continue participation on Lake Houston Watershed Stakeholders Council and have representative report to committee each month.
Parks and Recreation
Advocate for cities, counties, improvement districts and other funding agencies to continue efforts in park and landscape development as appropriate.