CHECK AIR QUALITY FORECASTS, SAYS EPA: HOUSTON BREAKS NINE-YEAR OZONE RECORD
By Sarah Morgan

For nine out of ten days recently, Houston's air quality monitors registered unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution, and the ozone season is just getting started.

According to the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention, compared with the past nine years, 2005 has seen a spike in the number of high ozone days, with 25 days so far this year registering unhealthy levels. Between 1997 and 2004, ozone levels exceeded the eight-hour federal standard no more than 21 times during the first six months of each of those years.

Also, according to the group, the older one-hour standard for ground-level ozone has been exceeded on three additional days in 2005, when compared with the previous nine years. The US Environmental Protection Agency revoked the federal one-hour standard in favor of the eight-hour standard.

"Federal law has imposed specific cleanup deadlines to solve Houston's ozone problems since 1990, but continuing delays and broken promises have meant that air quality has shown little improvement," GHASP said in a press release.

Ozone is an unstable molecule, that breaks up on contact with screens and other barriers, so people can avoid exposure to ozone pollution by staying indoors. However, staying indoors may not protect them from other pollutants associated with ozone, GHASP said. For instance, high levels of ozone are often accompanied by high levels of particulate pollution in industrial areas.

The federal Clean Air Act requires a periodic review of EPA's work to reduce air pollution. This week, as part of the review, the EPA announced a key document in its review of national air quality standards for particulate pollution. The document contains EPA staff recommendations that the administrator consider strengthening current standards in upcoming decisions about fine (PM2.5) and coarse particulates (PM10). Fine particulate pollution at levels below the current standard is associated with illness and premature death, according to the American Lung Association.

In December 2004, states began implementing the first fine particle standard in designated areas of the country where the agerncy has determined additional local, state, and federal stepsare neededto reduce PM 2.5.

The EPA is required to issue a proposal regarding more stringent particle pollution standards by Dec. 20, 2005, and to issue a final rule by Sept 27, 2006.
Also, in an EPA press release last week, as part of Air Quality Awareness Days (June 29 to July 1), the EPA reminded Americans to check air quality levels year-round when planning daily activities.

"Recently improved forecasting by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service and the EPA makes air quality forecasts more available to more people than ever before," the release said.
The EPA also stressed that even healthy people can have symptoms related to ozone exposure.

State and local agencies issue next-day air quality forecasts for more than 300 communities across the United States. These official forecasts let citizens know what kind of air quality to expect the next day in their community. To check data for the Houston area, visit http://tnrcc.state.tx.us/airquality.html. To subscribe to e-mail ozone alerts from Harris County, visit http://www.ozone.hcoem.org.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HOUSTON'S WATER SUPPLY TO BE HELD
From the Sierra Club

The Region H Water Planning Group will hold two public hearings addressing the plan for Houston's water supply for the next fifty years. The plan encompasses all water uses, from residential and recreational needs, to agricultural and commercial uses.

The first hearing will be July 12, at 10 am, at the San Jacinto River Authority Office, 105 Damsite Road in Conroe, and the second will be July 14, at 6:30 pm, at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons, Second Floor, Room A, in Houston.

Written comments on the plan will be accepted through September 16, and the regional Sierra Club chapter has outlined some topics to consider in commenting.

One critical topic is sufficient freshwater inflows for optimal year-round habitat in rivers and streams, and in Galveston Bay and other bays and estuaries. Other topics include water conservation requirements for residential, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural uses, and water-return flows with guarantees that rivers and streams, bays and estuaries are not harmed by this reuse.

The Sierra Club also expressed support for the designation of eight ecologically unique stream segments, which include Armand Bayou, Austin Bayou, and Bastrop Bayou, asking that additional ecologically unique stream segments in Sam Houston National Forest be added to the list.

Further, comments are encouraged for a possible survey of Texans and Houstonians to determine what they, their children, and grandchildren want by 2060 regarding quality of life, environmental health, population growth, and smart growth, and how the doubling of population to 40 million will impact these desires. Sierra Club says the Region H water plan should reflect these desires and not simply build water projects to meet a projected population of 40 million.

Other points to consider include requiring that each significant water rights proposal go through an amendment process that includes public notification, a thirty-day public comment period, and a public hearing.

Written comments should be submitted to Jim Adams, P.E., General Manager, SJRA, P.O. Box 329, Conroe Texas 77305-0329 and J. Kevin Ward, Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board, P.O. Box 13231, Austin, Texas 78711-3231.

For more information, contact Brandt Mannchen at (713) 664-5962.

PEAK OIL MINI CONFERENCE

What is Peak Oil? After increasing for a century, global oil production will peak soon and begin to decline. At that point the price of oil will rise, dramatically affecting property values, food prices, and the economy. "Cheap oil is now just part of history. Expect $5.00 a gallon gasoline within the next few years," says a May 2005 article in Time magazine. A peak oil mini conference will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin at Southmore, Saturday, July 9, from 1 to 5 pm. The workshop will include panelists Reginald Adams of the Sierra Club, architect and city planner Dan Barnum, Robin Holzer of the Citizens' Transportation Coalition, Juan Parras of TSU's Environmental Law and Justice Center, and Urban Harvest's Bob Randall. Activities will include workshops on how to prepare for the changes caused by peak oil, a screening of the film, "The End of Suburbia," and more. Contact Don Cook at (713) 705-5594 or zenblews@hotmail.com, or Alfred Molison at (713) 726-9009 or afredM123@hotmail.com for more information. A $5 donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away.

TEXAS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION COALITION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

The Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition is seeking shelter shift volunteers to work a weekly, regularly scheduled three-hour shift. Responsibilities include greeting the public, animal intakes, answering calls, general maintenance of the shelter and other administrative duties. The work is very rewarding but does involve household chores. The volunteer must have a strong interest in preserving native wildlife, and must attend a new volunteer orientation, as well as become a paid TWRC member. For more information about the organization, visit http://twrc-houston.org. For more information about the position, or to apply, contact Eddie Garcia at (713) 468-8972 or volunteercoord@twrc-houston.org.

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS REGULATORY UPDATE MEETING

The Texas Association of Environmental Professionals is holding a meeting featuring speakers from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Region 12. Speakers include Stephen Smith, water section manager, and Linda Vasse, air section manager, who will present the annual regulatory update Tuesday, July 12 at BRADY'S LANDING RESTAURANT, 8505 Cypress Street. Registration will begin at approximately 11:15 am, and a buffet lunch will be served at 11:45 am, with the presentations following immediately afterward. The cost of the meeting is $20 for TAEP members and $30 for nonmembers. Reservations should be made no later than noon Monday, July 11, at http://www.taep.org or by e-mailing taep@taep.org. Provide your name, company name, and telephone number. Reservations made after noon on Monday and walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis and will incur a surcharge of $5.

HEART CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL GALVESTON LAB FUNDING

The Sea Turtle Restoration Project and Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtles are asking that comments be sent to NOAA officials in support of more funding for the Galveston lab. The groups say the five-year review by National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationFisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service must respond to what is happening now on Texas beaches. After ten nestings on the upper Texas coast, the groups hold that it is time for the government to help with funding patrols, rehabilitation, incubating eggs, and releasing hatchlings in the Galveston area. Comments must be received before July 20. For more information, or to submit comments, visit
http://www.seaturtles.org/actionalertdetails.cfm?actionAlertID=90

STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION SEEKS PROGRAM MANAGER

The Student Conservation Association is seeking a dynamic individual to serve as a program manager in its Houston field office. The program manager is a key team member in the development and growth of SCA programming in the state of Texas. The manager directs the implementation of SCA conservation service programs, environmental education, and restoration projects for Houston-area youth and adults; recruits, trains and supervises high school participants, crew leaders and interns; develops and maintains partnerships with the Houston public land agencies and nonprofits; and builds and supports new SCA programming within the state, including a new initiative in Dallas. A bachelor's degree in Environmental Education/Science or related field, three to five years of experience working with outdoor education or service programs with youth, experience with program management, and a valid driver's license are required. Requires Wilderness First Responder or ability to obtain this
. Application deadline is July 8 or until position is filled. Visit http://www.thesca.org for more information about SCA. To apply, send resume, cover letter, and list of references to noswald@thesca.org. No phone calls, please.

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