CEC Notes
CEC Plans Biotech Event
CEC has partnered with the Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (www.systems.org) to produce a one-day seminar on "Biotechnology: Opportunities and Concerns" in February 2002. We are selecting topics and speakers now. If you would like to join the planning team, or if you have suggestions or contacts, please contact the CEC office. Special thanks to the Magnolia Trust for their leadership in sponsoring this event.

Coalition Notes
Grand Parkway Presentation
Brandt Mannchen and Peter Tyler, active members of the Sierra Club, will present a program titled “The Grand Parkway and Urban Sprawl” at the December meeting of the Outdoor Nature Club. The lecture will be held on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 pm at the Spring Branch Community Center, 1721 Pech Road.

The Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club’s Challenge to Sprawl/No Grand Parkway Campaign continues to battle against the proposed 177-mile, $4 billion loop around Houston that would run through or near the Katy Prairie, Brazos Bend State Park, and Sam Houston State Park. Mannchen and Tyler will update attendees on their progress and the upcoming release of environmental impact statements and schedule of public hearings for certain road segments.

Vanishing Wildlife
The Endangered Species Media Project recently released their book, Vanishing Wildlife of Texas. The 160-page document highlights the diversity of natural habitats in Texas and the endangered creatures that live within them. It features essays by noted nature writers John and Gloria Tveten and more than 60 full-color illustrations. For a sneak peak at a few of the drawings from the book, as well as ordering information, visit www.vanishingwildlife.com.

Christmas Counts
Its time again for the annual Christmas Bird Counts. Volunteers across the country will observe and count birds in specified areas. Scheduled local counts and contacts for more information are as follows:
Dec 15 - Armand Bayou; Paula Kennedy at paulak@hal-pc.org
Dec 26 – Brazos Bend; Bob Honig at TXBFCBC@aol.com
Jan 1 - Cypress Creek (Katy Prairie); Fred Collins at fcndc@juno.com

EcoNotes
More On Bayport
The US Army Corps of Engineers plans to host a public meeting concerning the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Permit Application for the Bayport container port facility on Wednesday, December 12 at 7:30 pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation association and the Houston Conservation Voters hope to rally 10,000 to 20,000 people against the project.

The meeting is proceeded by two public workshops in December. The first will be held Tuesday, December 4 from 5 to 8 pm at the Pasadena Convention Center. An additional meeting will take place prior to the public hearing at the convention center on December 12 from 5 to 7 pm.

The Survey Says…
The City of Houston Bikeway Program is taking a survey to determine the number of bike racks and/or lockers needed at City of Houston facilities. Cyclists can give their input at www.houstonbikeways.org or by calling the Office of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator at 713-837-0003. The website also features descriptions and maps of completed/under construction and proposed routes and bicycling safety tips.