Rivers & lakes

Our country’s lakes, rivers and streams give life to ecosystems and people alike from coast to coast. Now it’s time we protect them as the life-giving resources they are.

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Pathogens pose risk at 90 percent of Texas beaches

Clean water

Pathogens pose risk at 90 percent of Texas beaches

AUSTIN – With Texans returning to local beaches this summer, a new report warns that more work is needed to ensure that all waters are safe for swimming. In 2020, out of 61 Texas beaches tested, 55 were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day according to Safe for Swimming? - Environment Texas Research and Policy Center’s annual analysis of bacteria testing.  The report comes as Congress considers investments in water infrastructure.

Media Releases  

Statement: Bipartisan bill a big leap forward for America’s clean water infrastructure

Clean water

Statement: Bipartisan bill a big leap forward for America’s clean water infrastructure

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 (H.R. 1915) on Wednesday. The bill would authorize $40 billion over five years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that provides communities with low-cost financing for clean water infrastructure projects. Additionally, H.R. 1915 includes provisions designed to both assist small or financially disadvantaged communities and dedicate 15 percent of the funding to state grants for green infrastructure improvements.

Media Statements  

Yes on HB 1143 to keep Texas Safe for Swimming
Barton Creek being enjoyed by swimmers and paddle boarders

Oceans

Yes on HB 1143 to keep Texas Safe for Swimming

Testimony submited April 19th to the Natural Resources Comittee to support the creation of an online system for letting swimers in Texas know of the lastest data on fecal baterial contamination in Texas rivers, lakes and streams through HB 1143.

HB 2350 for Natural Cities and Healthy Waters
Guadalupe River with trees and light shining through branches.

Wildlife & wild places

HB 2350 for Natural Cities and Healthy Waters

We currently live in a state with vulnerable water infrastructure. One in every 10 Texans is at moderate or high risk of riverine flooding each year. More than 780 miles of Texas rivers and streams are unsafe for swimming due to stormwater runoff. Extreme heat claims an estimated 1,300 American lives each year, making it the leading cause of weather related deaths in our country. To protect our communities from these very real dangers we need to embrace nature-based infrastructure as soon as possible. HB 2350 will let our communities do just that. Please call your representitives to vote for HB2350 and when you do, remember the flooding after last season’s hurricanes, the dangerously high summer temperatures, and our beautiful Texas waterways. 

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