THIS WEEKEND: PUBLIC MEETING ON ROLE OF NEPA
By Sarah Morgan

The House Committee on Resources has formed a task force to hold a series of six public meetings across the United States on the topic of altering the National Environmental Policy Act. The next meeting, and the only one scheduled for the southern states, will be in Nacogdoches, Saturday, July 23, 10 am, in Cole Concert Hall, Stephen F. Austin State University. The topic for the meeting will be "The Role of the National Environmental Policy Act in the Southern States."

"We have to be there at the early stages, at the beginning of this process," said Evelyn Merz, executive committee chair with the Houston chapter of the Sierra Club. Merz is encouraging all those interested in the welfare of the Act to attend the Nacogdoches meeting.

President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970. The Act requires federal agencies that are either planning or permitting a project to review the environmental impacts, analyze alternatives, and facilitate public review and input. NEPA provided for environmental review by the public and coordination between different agencies. The Act also established the Council on Environmental Quality.

"This is the tool that allows citizens to participate in the project planning process," Merz said.

The NEPA task force's Web site states that NEPA analyses are required for many federal actions and permits, including timber harvest, mining permits, and leases for oil and gas exploration. It can also be applied to water, wildlife, transportation, and airport projects.

The stated purpose of the NEPA Improvement Task Force is to gather input on NEPA's economic impacts and whether the intent of the law is being fulfilled, and then to determine whether the law needs to be changed. The House Committee on Resources, chaired by Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R -CA), is the same committee pushing draft legislation aimed at what environmentalists charge is a weakening of the Endangered Species Act.

In order to speak at the meeting, one must be invited by the committee. Currently, Larry Shelton of the Texas Committee on Natural Resources is the only environmental community witness who has been invited to testify on July 23, according to the Sierra Club. The lack of speakers from the environmental community, as well as the short notice given for the meetings is a sign that the Act could be in trouble, Merz said.

To read more concerning the NEPA Task Force, visit their Web site at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/nepataskforce.htm. For information about attending the meeting or submitting comments to the committee, contact Merz at elmerz@hal-pc.org.

HOME SWEET HOME: HOUSTON WELCOMES NEW ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING PROJECT
By Sarah Morgan

With an estimated 35,000 houses built in Houston in 2003, and similar projections for at least the next five years, according to the Houston Applied Research Center, re-evaluating the environmental footprint left by a house is becoming increasingly important.

"Houston's growing incredibly fast," said Geoffrey Castro, research coordinator for the Citizens' League for Environmental Action Now. "It's important for Houston to think more sustainably."

CLEAN has partnered with the Federation of American Scientists to build the Rasbach Provident Home, an innovative project designed to demonstrate an advanced construction technology that is energy efficient, ecologically and structurally sound, and less expensive to build than conventional housing.

While the impact that industrial plants and cars have on air quality seems obvious, the average house produces twice as much greenhouse gas pollution as the average car. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that an average house is responsible for the release of 22,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, compared with a typical car's 11,000 pounds of CO2.

"Today we are building the most costly, wasteful, environmentally damaging homes on the planet," CLEAN announced in a recent newsletter.

In addition, constructing new houses consumes two-fifths of all lumber and plywood used in the United States, and a typical 1,700-square-foot, wood-frame house requires the equivalent of clear-cutting one acre of forest, according to the EPA. With Houston's house construction rates alone, at least 175,000 acres of forest will be cut over the next five years.

"Because trees offer our first line of defense in absorbing hydrocarbons, thus decreasing greenhouse gases, every tree we cut increases our exposure to global warming," CLEAN said.

Named after Roger D. Rasbach, a Houston architectural designer, the Rasbach Provident Home will be virtually termite-, fire-, and mold-proof, and will feature a metal roof system to reflect heat, and water-saving technology. But those involved in the project consider the most outstanding feature to be the extreme energy efficiency -- the house features technology that will reduce energy use by 50 to 70 percent compared with traditional housing.

"We want to show this city -- a city that doesn't seem too energy conscious at times, a city that largely revolves around the energy industry -- that this type of technology is readily available," Castro said.

For example, whereas most conventionally built houses need one ton of air conditioning for every 400 to 500 square feet, the Rasbach Provident Home needs only one ton of air conditioning for every 1,000 square feet.

Also, special pre-assembled panels will make the house quick and easy to build, requiring only four to six weeks for completion and leading to significant savings on construction costs.

More than a year of planning and testing has gone into the environmental housing project, which will be built at 205 Payne Street in Houston. The cost of the house is expected to be about $70 per square foot, with amenities that make it comparable to houses in the neighborhood.

Construction is anticipated to begin in early September. Once construction has begun, a webcam will be available online for those interested in viewing the construction of the house.

For more information about the project, visit www.cleanhouston.org/living/green_building/projects/envirotech/index.htm.

PUBLIC MEETINGS ON I-69 CORRIDOR

The Texas Department of Transportation has been holding a series of local meetings to inform the public about the proposed I-69 Trans-Texas Corridor. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 25, at the Hempstead High School cafeteria, 801 Donoho, Hempstead, and the last meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, at the Rosenberg Civic and Convention Center, 3825 Texas 36 South, Rosenberg. Both meetings will be from 5 to 8 pm.

I-69 is a planned 1,600-mile highway connecting Mexico, the United States, and Canada. According to Blueprint Houston, eight states are involved in the project, including Texas and Louisiana.

As projected, I-69 will incorporate new highways, railways, and utility rights of way, according to Blueprint Houston.

For more information concerning the project, visit http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/projects/i69/.

MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY: DOGGIE DAY AT THE PARK

The Memorial Park Conservancy is inviting all dog owners to celebrate the installation of two new doggie bag stations along the Leiberman Running Trail at the Bush Grove. The event will feature free dog treats and activities, sponsored by PetsMart, and free information concerning dog health and outdoor safety, provided by the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Doggie Day at the Park is Saturday, July 23, 9 to 11:30 am. Participants can also learn about donating doggie bag stations, watering fountains, and other trail improvements for Memorial Park. For more information, visit http://www.memorialparkconservancy.org.

SOUTHEAST TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST FAIR

This year's theme for the Southeast Texas Master Naturalist Fair is "Up on the Nature Trail," and the program focuses on interpretation using animal-related items found on the trail or ground. The fair will be July 24 at Brazosport Center for the Arts & Sciences in Clute (near Lake Jackson). For more information, visit http://www.gcmn.tamu.edu or call (281) 855-5600.

LIVABLE HOUSTON INITIATIVE: WESTCHASE LONG-RANGE PLAN

Representatives of the Westchase district will show the draft community-wide vision for the district at the next Livable Houston meeting, July 27, from noon to 1:30 pm. The plan comes from an elaborate, on-going process that has involved stakeholders, public agencies, and nonprofit community organizations, and imagines a walkable, mixed-use urban area. The meeting will be at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons, second floor. Bring your lunch. For more information. call (713)523-5757 or visit http://www.gulfcoastinstitute.org.

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION SEEKS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MANAGER

The Galveston Bay Foundation seeks to hire a full-time manager to create, implement, and manage educational programs, projects, and events for which GBF is the host organization or vested partner. Responsible for grant management, training and curricula, support of environmental projects, and more. Bachelor's degree or higher. Background in education and environmental science preferred, specifically aquatic system and watershed concepts and issues.

The successful candidate will have an interest in working directly with youth and adults on environmental projects and improving their understanding of environmental science and the community policies and practices that affect the health of the Galveston Bay system. Salary negotiable and competitive, according to experience. Qualified candidates should e-mail a resume to Bob Stokes at bstokes@galvbay.org.

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