The Environmental Committee is the most important function of the entire organization. It is a multi-faceted group that requires team leaders to act independently for specific projects. For example:

 

• Testing: A group of volunteers sample and analyze the San Bernard River from their vantage point on the river each month and submit their findings to H-GAC’s Streamteam which is then incorporated in Austin with additional data at the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ)’s master database.

 

• Annually F.O.R. hosts the San Bernard River Clean Up. Volunteers known as the “Clean Team” are asked to put their boats in the water or hop aboard a friend’s boat and pull trash out of the river. As needed heavy debris days are scheduled to remove large and/or concentrated debris areas. This event is a great community rallying celebration that helps us unite in the true meaning of “Friends Of the River”.

 

• ConocoPhillips and ChevronPhillips host a quarterly Citizens Advisory Panel meeting designed to keep the public informed about environmental, health and safety concerns at their Sweeny complexes. We have three volunteers currently representing F.O.R. on the panel.

 

• There are two Environmental Committee members committed to overseeing the welfare of this precious county asset, Hanson Park.

 

• F.O.R. has contracted with Texas Dept of Transportation (TX DOT) to de-litter a two mile section of FM2918. Contractually we agreed to have four “Trash Pick Ups” (Adopt A Highway) per year. The thought behind this volunteer effort is to get the trash off the highway before it gets in the river. The dates are posted below and volunteers are welcome!

 

The remainder of F.O.R.’s environmental emphasis occurs inside the formal Environmental Committee. If you would like additional information on the aforementioned specialized specific projects or other Environmental Projects like land trusts, S.E.P.s or conservation easements, please use Contact Us – Environmental and we will be happy to contact you personally to obtain your input, ideas or field your questions.

 

 

Chairman: Susie Alford, President / CEO Berg Oliver, 979.482.3649

Co-chairman: Tom Valliere, Environmental Consultant DCA

 

Committee:

Dr. Bruce Barner - Chemist, Dow and member Citizens Advisory Panel

Barbara Fratila - Environmental Attorney

Fred Kanter - Precinct 4 Constable / Pipeline Engineer and member Citizens Advisory Panel

Brian Meagher - Chemical Engineer / Project Manager BASF

Newell Rambo - Architect / Interior Designer

Al Roco - Professional Geoscientist and Environmental Scientist

Colleen Roco - Environmental Scientist

Vanessa Taylor - Environmental Technician, Business Owner and member Citizens Advisory Panel

 

 

Chairman:  Nick Fratila

Committee:  Anyone who picks up trash

 

To contact the Adopt A Highway Committee, go to Contact Us - Environment

 

Friends of the River San Bernard has signed an agreement with TXDOT to pick up trash along FM 2918 on a quarterly basis. Our goal is to help clean the environment and drainage ditches for a 2.5 mile stretch beginning just south of FM 2611 and ending past CR 306. This allows the entrance to the San Bernard Wildlife Refuge to remain attractive most of the year.

 

We only meet when we have a trash up. Volunteers bring their own hats, gloves, sunscreen and mosquitoes repellent. Apparel should protect you form the sun, bugs and weather. Strong shoes or boots are a good idea. TXDOT AND F.O.R. supply the rest.

 

We encourage you to bring your children or grandchildren over 10 years of age. What better way to encourage "Don't Mess with Texas"? There must be one adult for every three children under the age of 16. 

 

January 2, after the monthly breakfast meeting about 9:30A.M.

April 4, after the monthly breakfast meeting about 9:30A.M.

June 6, after the monthly breakfast meeting about 9:30A.M.

 

We look forward to working with you!

 

 

 

Chairman: Bob Breakiron 

Planning Committee: Vanessa Taylor, Marie Breakiron, Tommy Davidson, David Pope, Valroy Maudlin, Tom Valliere, Tom Ronayne, Mike Goodson, Bob Bailey, Russell York, and Keith Harwicke

 

To contact the River Cleanup Committee, go to Contact Us - River Clean Up

 

Approximately 20 boats with 50 volunteers, including the San Jacinto Junior Girl Scout Troup 25102, participated in the annual river clean up on Saturday, April 24, 2110. Volunteers removed 8,300 lbs. of debris and trash from the water and banks of the SBR and the beach at the mouth. Trash drop off points were located at Hanson Park, FM 521 boat ramp, Churchill Bridge boat ramp, and River’s End boat ramp. It was followed by a hot dog social at the home of Vanessa and Nelson Taylor.

 

David Pope handed out merit badges to the San Jacinto Junior Girl Scout Troup 25102 who participated in the river cleanup. The TCEQ provided the badges and other supplies for our volunteers during the past six years.

 

 

 

  

 

 http://www.h-gac.com/community/water/watershed_protection/sanbernard/default.aspx