Arroyo Colorado

May 28, 2009

Hello Arroyo Partners:

The Rio Grande Valley finally got some much needed rain.  It seemed like nature exploded with colors overnight.  How great is rain?  It is almost beyond words, the effect of a good rain.  I hope we get a little more.

I would like to thank everyone that responded to our request for a boat to help Dr. Deyoe and Paul Duke conduct a study on the Arroyo Colorado. Paul sent me this message "Thanks to the ACWP, I have acquired a canoe for the sampling trips thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Bergh who responded to the message we sent out to the Arroyo partners. I really appreciate their help and extend my thanks to all those who also responded to our plea!!"

I was notified that the grant to conduct monitoring at permitted waste water treatment plants in the watershed will likely receive funding. I would like to congratulate TAMUK, UTB and the LRGVDC for the hard work that went into putting together that proposal. TCEQ is negotiating the contract and work will probably begin October 1 of this year. We have a couple more proposals that are currently being developed. I will keep you informed once they become more concrete.

Here are a couple of events you might be interested in:

• EPA Watershed Academy Webcast: Wetlands: Reconnecting Youth with Nature - May 28, 12 to 2 PM. The Webcast will explore how we as a society, and especially our children, have become increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Richard Louv, chairman of the /Children and Nature Network and renowned author; Suzanne Pittenger-Slear with Environmental Concern, Inc.; and Davon Kenneth Johnson with the Earth Conservation Corps will talk about efforts to change this trend and discuss the unique role that wetlands can play in reconnecting young people with nature.
• Texas Seagrass Conservation Plan Review Workshop- June 11-12, 2009, Corpus Christi. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in partnership with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program and the Port of Corpus Christi, will host the 2009 Seagrass Conservation Workshop..  This workshop will provide a comprehensive look at the accomplishments of the original Seagrass Conservation Plan, identify unfulfilled and new objectives, and explore future actions and partnerships to further the protection and conservation of seagrass communities along the Texas coast. A goal of the workshop is to seek partnerships and cooperation from organizations who share in the mission of the Seagrass Conservation Plan. Join us in guiding the future of Texas seagrasses. For further details visit: or call Annette Paulin, logistics coordinator, at 512-754-9179. Registration deadline: June 5, 2009
• Texas Stream Team  is sponsoring a review of water quality data in the Arroyo Colorado at Estero Llano Grande State Park on June 20. This presentation will include analysis of volunteer and professionally collected water quality data in the Arroyo Colorado and a tour of the State Park. The specific time is to be determined and I will forward a flyer once details are finalized. For more information, contact Josh Oyer at hm1079@txstate.edu or 512.618.1051 (toll free 877.506.1401).
• 1st Annual Arroyo Colorado Grant Opportunity Workshop: City of Pharr International Convention Center, July 31st., 8:30 am to 4 pm:  The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership, Rural Economic Development Group of the Texas Department of Agriculture, the LRGV TPDES Stormwater Task Force, TAMUK and the City of Pharr will host a grant opportunity workshop that will feature speakers and presenters from over a dozen state, federal, local and private agencies. These speakers will promote available grant funding from their respective agencies, provide guidance, identify other workshops, and distribute grant solicitations and applications. The workshop is available to all Arroyo Colorado stakeholders, local governments and any interested entity. Lunch will be provided, several outreach booths from invited agencies will be on location, and the seminar is free. I want to encourage everyone to attend this workshop.

Looking ahead,

Jaime Flores