South Laguna Madre Watershed Environmental...

South Laguna Madre Watershed Environmental Plan12.13 2010

Developed byIzel Medina

Presented toDr. Samuel Brody

Gabriel Burns

Cameron County Hidalgo County Starr County Willacy County

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Table of Contents

Tabl

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tent

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I. Acknowledgments & Introduction 3

II. Factal Basis & Analysis 4-19 Site Location 4 CameronCountyProfile 5 HidalgoCountyProfile 6 StarrCountyProfile 7 WillacyCountyProfile 8 Populaiton Density & Fixed 9 Hazardous Materials Sites Populaiton Density & Exposure to 10 Hazardous Materials Drought 11 Flooding 12 Soil Erodibility for Cameron, 13 Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties

Eco-regions of Watershed: South 14 Texas Plains & Western Gulf Coastal Plain SouthTexasPlainsPlant 15 Associations WesternGulfCoastalPlainPlant 16 Associations Birds 17 Mammals 18 Hazard Analysis Summary & 19 Recommendations

III. Goals, Objectives & Policies 20-21 Goals, Objectives and Policies 20

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Acknowledgments

Introduction

Ack

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Intro

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The following environmental plan was developed for educational purposes. The purpose is the creation of an environmental planaftertheculminationofthePLAN641courestoseeifIthestudenthaslearnedanddevelopedtheabilitytofosteranddevelop a functional environmental plan.

With that said, I would like to acknowledge credit to the sources that I used in preparing my environmental plan. Many sources were used in the process of developing this environmental plan and items such as charts, tables, photos, data and text were either: 1) Created by myself. 2)Informationwasmodifiedbymyself. 3) Taken in their full context without alteration as to not compromise the quality of the work that had been produced and placed within my environmental plan.

The following list are the websites, pdf’s and agencies\entities accessed during the entire process of my work and whose information was implemented within my environmental plan.

ThisenvironmentalplanistoshowcasemyabilityinimplementingtheconceptslearnedthroughoutthesemesterinthePLAN641course.Thefocusoftheplanisgearedtowardsfindingappropriatetechniquestousewhentryingtosolveissuespretainingtotheecological area I have picked.

The South Laguna Madre Watershed is at the south tip of Texas, incompasses four counties, borders Mexico along the Rio Grande RiverandalsoflowsintotheGulfofMexico.Ascanbeseenthiswatershedhasmanyentitiesthatinfluenceitbutalsoinfluencesmany areas due to its location and surrounding geographical and jurisdictional entities.

Duetoitsvastinfluentialextremitiesthewatershedcanbepronetoenvironmentalchallengesandimplementationofactioncanbetrickybecauseofallthepeopleinvolved.AmajorenvironmentalchallengefortheborderareacountiesismaintainingtheflowoftheRioGrande,whichoftenrunsdry.Only6percentoftheflowatElPasomakesittotheGulf.InthelowerRioGrande,flowisrestricted by hydrilla and hyacinth plants. Human pollution from inadequate septic systems in colonias and from out houses con-taminates the river. High salinity is another problem as are hazardous materials on the Mexican side of the border.

Websiteshttp://txsdc.utsa.edu/data/census/2000/dp2_4/pdf/•http://map24.epa.gov/EMR/Default.aspx?clearSessionState=true•http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en•http://http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi•http://soils.missouri.edu/maps/gallery.asp•http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/•http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/distribu.htm•http://southtexasnature.com•

PDF’s \ Books \ MapsCover the Border: Hazard Mitigation Action •PlanfortheRioGrandeBorder2008-2013Landscape Restoration Handbook 2• nd Ed. by Donald Harker, et al.A.W. Kuchler’s Potential Natural Vegetation, •1975R.G. Bailey’s Ecoregions of the United States, •1976(modifiedbyD.Harker)

Agencies \ EntitiesU.S. Environmental Protection Agency•U.S. Department of Agriculture: NRCS•U.S. Census Bureau•TexasStateDataCenter&OfficeoftheState•DemographerThe Rio Grande Institute•The Cooperative Soil Survey•Texas Parks and Wildlife•

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Site Location

Site

Loc

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U.S. Context

Texas Context

Watershed & County Context

Willacy

Hidalgo

Starr

Cameron

Mexico

Counties and Area: Total & Land

Sources: http://maps.google.com/ http://map24.epa.gov/EMR/Default.aspx?clearSessionState=true

County Land Area (sq. miles) Total Area (sq. miles)Cameron 906 1276Hidalgo 1570 1583Starr 1223 1229Willacy 597 784

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CameronCountyProfile

Cam

eronCountyProfile

Archaeologists believe humans have been in Cameron County for more than 10,000 years. The arrival of the Spanish in the seventeenth century intro-duced diseases which wiped out much of the indigenous population of Coa-huiltecans and Karankawas. Surviving tribe members were later displaced by Apaches and Comanches. Relatively few people lived in what is now Cameron County as late as the Texas Revolution. The legislature created the countyin1848withanareaalmostfourtimesitspresentsize.Thatwasalsothe year in which Brownsville was established. By the time of the Civil War, thecounty’spopulationwasonlyabout6,000.

Ranching was the predominant economic activity during the nineteenth century which saw relatively little population growth. The introduction of the railroad led to a land boom which peaked in the early 1920s and population roseto77,400by1930.Farmingbecamewidespreadinthecountyandas-sumed the major role it continues to have today with cotton, sorghum, corn, melons,andvariousvegetablesallbeingraisedinsignificantvolume.

At the southeast tip of Texas, Cameron County is bordered by Mexico, Hi-dalgoandWillacyCounties,andtheGulfofMexico.Watercovers370squaremilesofitstotalareaof1,276squaremileswhichhaveanelevationrisingfromsealevelatthecoastto67feetinland.Soilinthecountyvariesfrom sandy and saline in the east to brownish and reddish in the remainder of the county. During its mild winters the average low temperatures drop to 51degreesinJanuaryascomparedtomeandailyhighsof92degreesinJulyandrainfallaveragesabout28inchesayear.OneofthefastestgrowingTex-ascounties,CameronCounty’spopulationisprojectedtorisefrom335,227in2000to499,380in2020,anincreaseofalmostone-half,withtheHispanicpopulationgrowingtoalmost90percentofthetotalbythelaterdate(TexasState Demographer, mid-range assumptions).

History

General Information

Agricultural Products- Cotton- Grain sorghums- Vegetables- Sugar cane raised- Wholesale nursery plants raised- Small feedlot- Cow-calf operations-AnnualValue=$74.6million

Minerals- Natural Gas- Oil

Agricultural Land Use- Number of Farms = 1120- Ave. Size of Farm = 313 Ac-HarvestedCropland=151,923Ac-IrrigatedLand=104,770Ac

White Non-Hispanic 11.9%Hispanic86.6%Black 0.4%Asian0.6%American Indian 0.1%Other race 0.2%Two or more races 0.2%

White Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Black

Asian

American Indian

Other race

Two or more races

White Non-Hispanic Hispanic Black Asian American Indian Other race Two or more races

Racial Makeup

Employment-CivilianLaborForce=146,494-UnemploymentRate=5.7%

Education Summary:-NoHighSchoolDiploma44.8%-HighSchoolDiplomaorHigher55.2%- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 13.4%

Population-335,227 Males:160,509(47.9%) Females:174,718(52.1%)

Income & Poverty-MedianHousehold=$26,155-PerCapita=$10,960- Population Below Poverty Level = 33.1%

Language Spoken at Home- English Only = 21.0 %-Other=79.0%

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HidalgoCountyProfile

HidalgoCountyProfile

What is now Hidalgo County was inhabited by hunter-gatherer Indians 11,000yearsago.Apachesmovedintotheareainthe1700sfollowedbyComanchesintheearly1800s.CabezadeVacaisbelievedtohavetraveledthroughtheareain1528.OtherSpaniardsexploredtheregionbeforecolo-nizationbeganinthemid-1750s.Ranchingwasthepredominanteconomicactivity at the time of the Texas Revolution which left the area’s ownership disputed until it was resolved by the Mexican-American War. The County of Hidalgowasformedin1852whenthetownthennamedEdinburgwasmadethe county seat. The early history of the county was marked by lawlessness, particularly rustling from outlaws from both sides of the border, until about 1882to1890whenstronglawenforcementwasinstalled.

Thecountyhasnotbeenwithoutnaturaldisasters.In1886,asevereflooddestroyed the town that was then called Edinburg which was then relocated abouttwomilesnorthoftheriver,butstillinaflood-pronearea,anditwasnot until over 20 years later that is was moved to a more secure site. That town was renamed Hidalgo and another community became the county seat and adopted the name of Edinburg.

Located on the Lower Rio Grande, Hidalgo County is bordered by Cameron County on the east, Brooks County on the north, Starr County on the south, andMexicoonthesouth.Ofits1,570squaremiles,onlyabout13arecov-eredbywater.Elevationsrangefrom28to376feet.Itswarmclimate,veryfavorableforagriculture,hasaveragehighsinJulyofabout96degreesandmeanlowsof48degreesinJanuary.Soilstypesvaryfromrichalluvialalongthe Rio Grande to sandy loams in the north. Its largest cities are McAllen, population117,650,Mission(56,934),Edinburg—thecountyseat(56,845),andPharr(55,678)whichtogetheraccountforabout44percentofthecoun-ty’s population.

History

General Information

Agricultural Products- Suger Cane- Grain- Vegetables- Citrus- Cotton- Livestock- Annual Value = $202.1 million

Minerals- Oil - Gas - Sand- Stone - Gravel

Agricultural Land Use- Number of Farms = 2104-Ave.SizeofFarm=282Ac-HarvestedCropland=277,406Ac-IrrigatedLand=170,284Ac

WhiteNon-Hispanic8.5%Hispanic89.7%Black 0.4%Asian0.8%American Indian 0.1%Other race 0.1%Two or more races 0.4%


Racial Makeup

White Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Black

Asian

American Indian

Other race

Two or more races


Education Summary:-NoHighSchoolDiploma49.5%-HighSchoolDiplomaorHigher50.5%- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 12.9%


Income & Poverty-MedianHousehold=$24,863-PerCapita=$9899-PopulationBelowPovertyLevel=35.9%

Language Spoken at Home-EnglishOnly=16.9%-Other=83.1%

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StarrCountyProfile

StarrC

ountyProfile

Indians lived in what is now Starr County as long as 11,000 years ago fol-lowingahunter-gatherermodeofliving.ThefirstknowSpanishexplorationwasin1638butsettlementswerenotbegunforover100years.Mexicoandthe Republic of Texas, and later the United States, all claimed this area until theMexicanWarresolvedsovereignty.Thecountywascreatedin1848.PartofitsterritorywenttoHidalgoCountyin1852andanotherwastakenbyZa-pataCountyin1860.In1911Starragainlostaportionofitsland,thistimeto Brooks County.

After settlement by Mexicans and Anglo-Americans, early residents engaged in sheep and cattle ranching. By 1900 cotton had become an important crop but sheep ranching had fallen dramatically. Today vegetable packing is a mainstay of the economy along with oil and gas.

Situated on the Rio Grande border with Mexico, Starr County comprises 1,229squaremilesranginginelevationfrom125to531feetabovesealevel.Soil in the county varies from alluvial along the Rio Grande to clay, loam, andsandyinotherparts.Temperaturesreachaveragelowsof43inJanuaryandaveragehighsof99inJulyandrainfallisabout22inchesinatypicalyear.Countypopulationisprojectedtogrowfrom53,597in2000to82,311in2020(TexasStateDemographer,mid-rangeassumptions).Itslargestcityand county seat, Rio Grande City, has about 12,000 inhabitants followed closely by Roma with about 10,000 population.

Starr County is one of the poorest in the country with one of the highest per-centages of Hispanic population. Many thousands of Hispanics live outside Rio Grande City in colonias.

History

General Information

Agricultural Products- Beef Cattle- Vegetables- Cotton- Sorghum-AnnualValue=$66.7million

Minerals- Oil - Gas- Sand - Gravel

Agricultural Land Use-NumberofFarms=870-Ave.SizeofFarm=656Ac-HarvestedCropland=41,759Ac-IrrigatedLand=6133Ac

White Non-Hispanic 2.0%Hispanic85.9%Black 0.1%Asian 0.3%American Indian 0.2%Other race 9.9%Twoormoreraces1.5%


Racial Makeup

White Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Black

Asian

American Indian

Other race

Two or more races


Education Summary:-NoHighSchoolDiploma65.3%-HighSchoolDiplomaorHigher34.7%-Bachelor’sDegreeorHigher6.9%


Income & Poverty-MedianHousehold=$16,504-PerCapita=$7069-PopulationBelowPovertyLevel=50.9%


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WillacyCountyProfile

WillacyCountyProfile

ThefirstpartofTexastobeexploredbyEuropeanswasdonesobyAlonzoÁlvarezdePinedawhomappedthecoastin1519.In1554,20Spanishshipsshipwrecked on the part of South Padre Island that is part of Willacy County. Spanishsettlementbeganin1792butwassubjecttoraidsbyhostileIndians.Parts of Cameron and Hidalgo Counties were taken to form Willacy County in 1911 which was named for a Texas legislator. Ten years later, the northern part of the county was made into Kenedy County.

Ranching was the predominant economic activity in the county until farming becamemoreimportantinthefirsthalfofthetwentiethcentury.Todaycot-ton, sorghum, corn, vegetables, and sugar cane are the chief crops. Oil and naturalgasarealsosignificantindustries.

The next to last Texas county to be organized, Willacy County is bordered by Cameron County on the south, Kenedy County on the north, Hidalgo on thewest,andtheGulfontheeast.Withatotalareaof784squaremilesandalandareaof597squaremiles,itsterrainiscoastalprairie.Itsclimateisverysimilar to that of the adjacent coastal counties. About half of the county’s 20,231 inhabitants live in the county seat Raymondville.

History

General Information

Agricultural Products- Cotton- Sorghum- Corn- Vegetables- Sugar Cane-AnnualValue=$18.9million

Agricultural Land Use- Number of Farms = 334-Ave.SizeofFarm=1107Ac-HarvestedCropland=103,761Ac- Irrigated Land = 10,930 Ac

Minerals- Oil- Natural Gas

Employment-CivilianLaborForce=7912-UnemploymentRate=7.8%

White Non-Hispanic 2.0%Hispanic85.9%Black 0.1%Asian 0.3%American Indian 0.2%Other race 9.9%Twoormoreraces1.5%


Racial Makeup

White Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Black

Asian

American Indian

Other race

Two or more races

Education Summary:-NoHighSchoolDiploma51.3%-HighSchoolDiplomaorHigher48.7%-Bachelor’sDegreeorHigher7.5%

Population-20,082 Males:10,296(51.3%) Females:9786(48.7%)

Income & Poverty- Median Household = $22,114- Per Capita = $9421- Population Below Poverty Level = 33.2%


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Population Density & Fixed Hazardous Materials SitesStarr County Hidalgo County Willacy County

Cameron County

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ToxicReleaseAccidents(FixedandMobile)1995-2002

Concerns of Hazardous MaterialKnowing the location of hazardous materials is important because it can decided the approach of how areas are planned and people probably want to minimize their exposure to those mate-rials. The surrounding area around these haz-ardous sites must have policies in place to keep peoplesafeandanefficientmethodforcommu-nicating with them in the event that their is an accident where toxic materials are released.

County Total IncidentsCameron 422Hidalgo 157Starr 9Willacy 17

v

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Population Density & Exposure to Hazardous Materials

Starr County

HazardProfile:HazardousMaterialsReleasefortheRioGrandeBorderRegion

Hidalgo County Cameron County

Popu

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There is also concern that people and the built environment could be affected by a hazardous materials release from a site in Mexico that may affect Texas counties along the Rio Grande, such as Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr Counties. A two mile buffer was created in these three counties from the Mexican border to determine potentialimpacts(Seefiguresbelow),asgeo-referenceddataforhazardousmateri-als sites in Mexico was not available at the time this assessment was prepared.

Here again is the need for effective communication with people in the event that an accident has occurred. The biggest problem here is that if the incident did occur it would be in an international jurisdiction and the process for notify jurisdictions in the U.S. could take time. Due to this issues it is important for international collabo-ration to occur and run simulations so that in the case of a real accidental their is a precedentofwhattodoanddoingitinanefficientmanner.

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Drought

Droughts in the Texas Gulf Basin

HazardProfile:DroughtfortheRioGrandeBasin

Annualized Expected Agricultural Product Market Value Exposed to Drought

DroughtsintheTexasGulfBasin:1895-1995

Dro

ught

South Texas is an area that can get very high temperatures and in the event that there is a lack of water there can be great losses. Appropriate measures need to be in place to try and resolve issues dealing with droughts. Appro-priating water and design recommendation such as increasing the amount of shade or natural habitat on a property can decrease some of the effects.

Droughts are slow-onset hazards, but over time can have very damaging affects to crops, municipal water supplies, recreational uses, and wildlife. If droughts extend over a number of years, the direct and indirect economic impactcanbesignificant.ThefigureontherightshowshistoricaldroughtsintheTexasGulfBasin.Since1950,droughtshaveoccurredinsouthTexasin1950,1952,1954,1956,1962,1988,1989.

In order to analyze the risk of the Rio Grande area to drought and estimate potential losses, 100 years of statistical data from the University of Ne-braskawasused(thisdatawasdevelopedbytheUniversitybasedonPalmerDrought and Crop Severity Indices) as well as 2002 USDA agriculture data. A drought event frequency-impact was then developed to determine adroughtimpactprofileonnon-irrigatedagricultureproductsandestimatepotential losses due to drought in the area. The table below shows annualized expected exposure by county.

CountyTotal Agricultural Products Exposure

(2006 dollars)

Total Annualized Expected Agricultural

Losses

Annualized Percent Loss Ratio

Cameron $70,125,952 $774,214 1.10%Hidalgo $16,496,583 $2,266,887 13.74%Starr $78,081,040 $753,454 0.96%Willacy $205,327,698 $182,128 0.09%

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Flooding

Floo

ding

Fromviewingthemaps,theareaswiththegreatestchanceoffloodingarethoseclosetohydrologicalfea-tures. Flooding from the gulf, river and streams is likely to happen with close proximity to them due to their normalcarryingcapacitybereachedandoverflowduringthecourseofheavyrainfalloranystormtides.

Floodhazardareasaredeterminedusingstatisticalanalysesofrecordsofriverflow,stormtides,andrainfall;informationobtainedthroughconsultationwiththecommunity;floodplaintopographicsurveys;andhydro-logicalandhydraulicanalyses.FEMA’sFloodInsuranceRateMaps(FIRMs)identifyareassubjecttofloodhazard.

HazardProfile:FloodingfortheRioGrandeBasin

Starr County Hidalgo County

Cameron County

Willacy County

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Soil Erodibility for Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties

Soil

Erod

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iesCameron County Erodibility

As can been seen there is a large amount of land within eachcountythatisclassifiedashighlyerodible.Eachcountyalsohasafairamountofsoilclassifiedasnothighly erodible with the exception of Starr, which has a small amount.

The soil being very erodible is probably due to the re-gion of the area. Being located along a river, a gulf and other hydrological features as probably made the soil, that as settled over the millenniums, a softer and more loamy type of soil.

This high level of erodible soils is not good because if appropriate measures are not taken there can be a loss of soil. Losing soil can have many ill affect such as habitat loss, unstable land and increased runoff.

Willacy County LegendStarr County

Hidalgo County

Potentially Highly Erodible

Not Highly Erodible

Interstates

U.S. Highway

Highly Erodible

Not Rated

State Highway

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Eco-

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Eco-regions of Watershed: South Texas Plains & Western Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Texas Plains Eco-region:The South Texas Plains region encompasses most of the soutern tip of Texas. The northern boundary is the Balcones Escarpment. The region extends south to the tip of Texas at the mouth of the Rio Grande River near Brownsville. This region does not include the vegetation of the arid plains bordering the Rio Grande River to the west. A description of the vegetation found along the Rio Grande can be found in the Southern Deserts region. The vegetation of the Gulf Coast and bar-rier islands to the east is found in the Western Gulf Coastal Plains region.

The natural vegetation is characterized by grasslands and savanna-woodland communities. Before changes in the region, such as excessive grazing, conver-siontocropland,andsuppressionofnaturalfires,theareawaspredominantlyopen grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. Today, the area is increasingly dominated with the thorny scrub vegetation which was once limited to rocky upland areas. Unique in this region are small groves of native palm which occur in southernmost Texas near Brownsville.

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Eco-region:The Western Gulf Coastal Plain is a long narrow grassy plain bordering the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas coast. The barrier islands off the coast are also includ-ed. The region supports both upland and lowland grasslands, evergreen wood-lands, freshwater marshes, and salt marshes. Grasslands were once the charac-teristic vegetation of this region. The area is now mostly cultivated or heavily grazed, with natural vegetation occurring as fragmented remnants. Excessive grazing and other human disturbances have caused much of the area to be invad-ed by trees and brush such as mesquite, oaks, prickly pear, and acacias.

Dominant Ecological Communities

Dominant Ecological Communities

Upland Systems- Mesquite - Granjeno Woodland- Mesquite - Blackbrush Shrub- Rio Grande Shrubland- Live Oak Savanna- South Texas Prairie

Upland Systems- Coastal Woodland- Coastal Prairie- Island Prairie

Wetland Systems- Floodplain Forest- Fresh Water Marsh

Wetland Systems- Floodplain Forest

Estuarine Systems- Salt Marsh

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Canopy

CanopyCanopy

Mesquite - Granjeno Woodland

Floodplain ForestLive Oak Savanna

Rio Grande Shrubland

South Texas Prairie

Mesquite - Blackbrush Scrub

Characteristic Species

Characteristic SpeciesCharacteristic Species

Characteristic WoodySpecies

Characteristic Species

Characteristic Woody SpeciesHerbaceous Understory

Woody Understory

Herbaceous Understory



Associates

Associates

Associates


Associates

Associates

Associates

Celtis pallidaProsopis glandulosa

Carya illinoinensisCeltis pallidaMorus rubraProsopis glandulosaUlmus americanaUlmus crassifolia

Prosopis glandulosaQuercus virginiana

Ehretia anacuaPithecellobium ebano

Bothriochloa barbinodisChloris pluriflora

Acacia rigidulaProsopis glandulosa

Acleisanthes anisophyllaAmbrosia confertifloraAphanostephus ramosissimusAristida purpureaBothriochoa saccharoidesBouteloua rigidisetaBouteloua trifidaCardiospermum corindumChloris ciliataChloris cucullataCnidoscolus texanusCocculus diverisifoliusCroton dioicusFlorestina tripterisGaillardia suavisHelianthus annuusHelianthus ciliarisHeteropogon contortusHilaria berlangerilsocoma drummondiiLiatris mucronataMachaeranthera pinnatifidaNassella leucotrichaNyctaginia capitataPalafoxia texanaPanicum halliiPappophorum bicolorParthenium hysterophorusPassiflora foetidaSalvia coccineaSchizachyrium scopariumSetaria macrostachyaSimsia calvaSiphonoglossa pilosellaSolanum elaeagnifoliumSporobolus pyramidatusTiquilia canescensTridens eragrostoidesTridens muticus

Acacia minutaAmpelopsis arboreaBaccharis neglectaDiospyros texanaMimosa pigraParkinsonia aculeataRubus trivialisSideroxylon lanuginosumSmilax bona-noxToxicodendron pubescensVitis mustangensis

Ambrosia psilostachyaCarex brittonianaChasmanthium latifoliumChloracantha spinosusClematis drummondiiCocculus diversifoliusDicliptera brachiataElymus virginicusMalvaviscus drummondiiNassella leucotrichaPanicum virgatumRivina humilisRuellia nudijloraSalvia coccineaUrtica chamaedryoidesVerbesina virginica

Bothriochloa barbinodisBuchloe dactyloidesCardiospermum corindumChloris plurijloraCocculus diversifoliusEupatorium azureumMalpighia glabraRuellia drummondianaSalvia coccineaSerjania brachycarpaSetaria leucopilaStachys drummondiiStellaria prostrataUrtica chamidryoidesVerbesina microptera

Acleisanthes anisophyllaAcleisanthes longijloraAcourtia runcinataAmblyolepis setigeraAphanostephus ramosissimusAristida purpureaBouteloua curtipendulaBouteloua gracilisBouteloua hirsutaCarex planostachysCentaurea americanaChamaesyce serpensChloris ciliataChloris cucullataChloris verticillataClematis drummondiiCordia podocephalaCroton dioicusFlorestina tripterisHedyotis nigricansHymenopappus scabiosaeuslsocoma drummondiiLiatris mucronataOxalis dichondraefoliaPanicum halliiPappophorum bicolorParthenium hysterophorusPhyllanthus polygonoidesPinaropappus roseusPolygala ovatifoliaRuellia nudijloraSchizachyrium scopariumSenna roemerianaSetaria macrostachyaSetaria ramisetaSiphonoglossa pilosellaThamnosma texanumThymophylla pentachaetaTiquilia canescensTridens muticusWedelia hispida

Acacia berlandieriAcacia greggiiAcacia minutaSalvia coccineaSchizachyrium scopariumSetaria macrostachyaSimsia calvaSiphonoglossa pilosellaSolanum elaeagnifoliumSporobolus pyramidatusTiquilia canescensTridens eragrostoidesTridens muticusAcacia rigidulaAloysia gratissimaColubrina texensisCondalia hookeriEysenhardtia texanaForestiera angustifoliaGuajacum angustifoliumKarwinskia humboldtianaLycium berlandieriOpuntia engelmanniiOpuntia leptocaulisOpuntia macrorhizaParkinsonia aculeataSchaefferia cuneifoliaSideroxylon lanuginosumZanthoxylum fagaraZiziphus obtusifolia

Acer negundoCeltis laevigataFraxinus berlandierianaJuglans nigraPlatanus occidentalisQuercus fusiformisQuercus macrocarpaSalix nigraSapindus saponaria

Acacia rigidulaAloysia gratissimaDiospyros texanaLycium berlandieriMadura pomiferaOpuntia engelmanniiOpuntia leptocaulisOxalis frutescensSideroxylon lanuginosumZanthoxylum fagaraZiziphus obtusifolia

Andropogon gerardiiAristida purpureaBouteloua gracilisBrachiaria ciliatissimaCallirhoe involucrataChamaecrista fasciculataChamaesyce serpensCnidoscolus texanusCroton capitatusElyonurus tripsacoidesGaillardia aestivalisHelianthus argophyllusHeteropogon contortusHeterotheca subaxillarisMuhlenbergia capillarisPanicum halliiPanicum virgatumPappophorum bicolorPaspalum monostachyumPaspalum plicatulumSchizachyrium scopariumSchrankia microphyllaSenna roemerianaSolanum elaeagnifoliumSorghastrum nutansSporobolus cryptandrusTephrosia lindheimeriThelesperma nuecenseTrachypogonsecundusTridens elegansTridens flavus

Acacia greggiiCeltis pallidaCondalia hookeriHarvardia pallensLeucaena pulverulentaOpuntia leptocaulisPhaulothamnus spinescensProsopis glandulosaSabal mexicanaSideroxylon celastrinumUlmus crassifoliaYucca torreyiZanthoxylum fagaraZizphus obtusifolia

Ambrosia confertifloraAristida purpureaBouteloua gracilisBuchloii dactyloidesChamaesyce serpensChloris cucullataCnidoscolus texanusHilaria belangeriPappophorum bicolorPhyllanthus polygonoidesSchizachyrium scopariumSenna roemerianaSetaria macrostachyaThymophylla pentachaetaTridens muticu

Acacia berlandieriAcacia greggiiAcacia schaffneriAloysia gratissimaCastela erectaCeltis pallidaCondalia hookeriDiospyros texanaEphedra antisyphiliticaEysenhardtia texanaForestiera angustifoliaGuajacum angustifoliumJatropha dioicaKoeberlinia spinosaLeucophyllum frutescensLycium berlandieriMahonia trifoliataMammillaria heyderiOpuntia engelmanniiOpuntia leptocaulisRhus microphyllaSchaefferia cuneifoliaThelocactus setispinusYucca treculeanaZiziphus obtusifolia

shinyhackberry(granjeno)honey mesquite

pecanshiny hackberryred mulberryhoney mesquiteAmerican elmcedar elm

honey mesquitelive oak

knockawayebony blackbead

cane beard grassmulti-flowerwindmillgrass

chaparro-prieto(blackbrush)honey mesquite

oblique-leaf trumpetsweak-leaf burr-ragweedplains dozedaisypurple three-awnplumed beard grassTexas gramared gramafaux-persilfringed windmill grasshooded windmill grassTexas bull-nettlesnailseedgrassland crotonstickyflorestinaperfumeballscommonsunflowerTexas-blueweedtwisted tangleheadcurly-mesquiteDrummond’s jimmyweedcusp gayfeatherlacy tansy-asterTexas wintergrassdevil’s-bouquetTexas palafoxHall’s panic grasspink pappus grassSanta Maria feverfewscarlet-fruitblood sagelittle false bluestemplains bristle grassawnlessbush-sunflowerhairy tubetonguesilver-leaf nightshadewhorled dropseedwoody crinklematlovefluffgrassawnlessfluffgrass

coastal-scrub wattlepeppervineRoosevelt-weedTexas persimmonblack mimosaJerusalem-thornsouthern dewberrygum bullyfringed greenbriaratlantic poison-oakmustang grape

western ragweedBritton’s sedgeIndian wood-oatsMexican devilweedTexas virgin’s-bowersnailseedbranched foldwingVirginia wild ryeTexas wax-mallowTexas wintergrasswand panic grassrougeplantviolet wild petuniablood sageheart-leaf nettlewhite crownbeard

cane beard grassbuffalo grassfaux-persilmulti-flowerwindmillgrasssnailseedblue bonesetwild crape-myrtleDrummond’s wild petuniablood sagelittle-fruit slipplejackstreambed bristle grassDrummond’s hedge-nettleprostrate starwortheart-leaf nettleTexas crownbeard

oblique-leaf trumpetsangel’s trumpetsfeather-leaf desert-peonyhuisache-daisyplains dozedaisypurple three-awnside-oats gramablue gramahairy gramacedar sedgeAmerican star-thistlematted sandmatfringed windmill grasshooded windmill grasstumble windmill grassTexas virgin’s-bowerTexas manjackgrassland crotonstickyflorestinadiamond-flowerCarolina woollywhiteDrummond’s jimmyweedcusp gayfeatherpeony-leaf wood-sorrelHall’s panic grasspink pappus grassSanta Maria feverfewsmartweedleaf-flowerwhite rock-lettuceegg-leaf milkwortviolet wild petunialittle false bluestemtwo-leaved wild sensitive-plantplains bristle grassRio Grande bristle grasshairy tubetonguerue-of-the-mountainsfive-needlepricklyleafwoody crinklematawnlessfluffgrasshairy creeping-oxeye

guajillolong-flowercatclawcoastal scrub wattleblood sagelittle false bluestemplains bristle grassawnlessbush-sunflowerhairy tubetonguesilver-leaf nightshadewhorled dropseedwoody crinklematlovefluffgrassawnlessfluffgrasschaparro-prietowhitebrushhog-plumBrazilian bluewoodTexas kidneywoodTexas swamp-privetTexas lignumvitaecoyotillosilver desert-thorncactus-appleChristmas chollatwist-spine prickly-pearJerusalem-thorndesert-yaupongum bullylime prickly-ashlotebush

ash-leaf maplesugar-berryMexican ashblack walnutAmerican sycamoreplateau oakburr oakblack willowwing-leaf soapberry

chaparro-prietowhitebrushTexas persimmonsilver desert-thornosage-orangecactus-appleChristmas chollashrubby wood-sorrelgum bullylime prickly-ashlotebush

big bluestempurple three-awnblue gramafringed signal grasspurple poppy-mallowsleepingplantmatted sandmatTexas bull-nettlehogwortpan-American balsamscalelance-leafblanket-flowersilver-leafsunflowertwisted tangleheadcamphorweedhairy awn muhlyHall’s panic grasswand panic grasspink pappus grassgulf dune crown grassbrown-seed crown grasslittle false bluestemlittle-leaf sensitive-briartwo-leaved wild sensitive-plantsilver-leaf nightshadeyellow Indian grasssand dropseedLindheimer’s hoary-peaRio Grande greenthreadone-sided crinkle-awn grassSilveus’ grasstall redtop

long-flowercatclawshiny hackberryBrazilian bluewoodhaujillogreat leadtreeChristmas cholladevilqueenhoney mesquiteRio Grande palmettosaffron-plumcedar elmTorrey’s yuccalime prickly-ashlotebush

weak-leaf burr-ragweedpurple three-awnblue gramabuffalo grassmatted sandmathooded windmill grassTexas bull-nettlecurly-mesquitepink pappus grasssmartweedleaf-flowerlittle false bluestemtwo-leaved wild sensitive-plantplains bristle grassfive-needlepricklyleafawnlessfluffgrass

guajillolong-flowercatclawSchaffner’s wattlewhitebrushgoatbushshiny hackberryBrazilian bluewoodTexas persimmonclapweedTexas kidneywoodTexas swamp-privetTexas lignumvitaeleathersterncrown-of-thornsTexas barometer-bushsilver desert-thornLaredo Oregon-grapelittle nipple cactuscactus-appleChristmas chollalittle-leaf sumacdesert-yauponminiature-barrel cactusDon Quixote’s-lacelotebush

South Texas Plains Plant Associations

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Canopy CanopyCoastal Woodland Floodplain Forest

Fresh Water Marsh Salt Marsh

Coastal Prairie Island Prairie

Characteristic Species Characteristic Species

Characteristic Species Characteristic Species

Characteristic Woody Species Characteristic Woody Species


Woody Understory


Associates

Woody Understory Associates

Associates

Associates

Associates Associates

Carya illinoinensisQuercus stellataQuercus virginiana

Carya illinoinensisCarya texanaFraxinus pennsylvanicaPlatanus occidentalisPopulus deltoidesQuercus nigraQuercus phellosQuercus shumardiiQuercus virginianaSalix nigraSapindus saponariaUlmus americana

Alternanthera philoxeroidesPanicum hemitomon

Distichlis spicataSpartina alternifloraSpartina patensSpartina spartinae

Andropogon gerardiiSchizachyrium scopariumSpartina spartinaeSorghastrum nutans

Panicum amarumSchizachyrium scopariumUniola paniculata

Paspalum plicatulamSchizachyrium scoparium

Aesculus paviaAmpelopsis arboreaBignonia capreolataCampsis radicansCarpinus carolinianaComus drummondiiDiospyros virginianaForestiera acuminataflex deciduaflex vomitoriaLonicera sempervirensMaclura pomiferaOstrya virginianaParthenocissus quinque/oliaSambucus canadensisToxicodendron pubescensViburnum dentatum

Arisaema dracontiumCarex amphibolaCarex cephalophoraCarex cherokeensisChasmanthium latifoliumChasmanthium laxumCorydalis micranthaDicliptera brachiataElephantopus carolinianusElymus virginicusNassella leucotrichaNemophila phacelioidesRuellia caroliniensisSenecio glabellusStella ria mediaVerbesina virginica

Celtis laevigataPersea borboniaQuercus hernisphaericaQuercus laurifoliaQuercus marilandicaUlmus alata

Crateagus spp.!lex vomitoria Celtis laevigata

Liquidambar styracifluaQuercus lyrataQuercus pagodaUlmus crassifolia

Cabomba carolinianaCeratophyllum demersumHydrocotyle verticillataLemna aequinoctialisNymphaea odorataPontederia cordataSagittaria papillosaTypha latifolia

Avicennia germinansBatis maritimaHalodule beaudettei}uncus effusus}uncus roemerianusPanicum hemitomonPanicum repensPanicum virgatumPaspalum vaginatumPhragmites australisRuppia maritimaSagittaria lancifoliaSalicornia virginicaScirpus americanusScirpus cali/omicusSpartina cynosuroidesSporobolus virginicusTypha domingensisZizaniopsis miliacea

Andropogon glomeratusAndropogon virginicusAristida purpureaBouteloua curtipendulaBuchloe dactyloidesFimbristylis puberulaMuhlenbergia capillarisPaspalum monostachyumPaspalum plicatulumSchizachyrium tenerumSporobolus indicus

Agalinis maritimaAmbrosia psilostachyaAphanostephus skirrhobasisBuchnera americanaChamaecrista fasciculataChamaesyce bombensisCroton capitatusCroton punctatusDigitaria texanaErythrina herbaceaEupatorium betonicifoliumFimbristylis carolinianaFimbristylis castaneaHelianthus argophyllusHypericum hypericoidesIpomaea imperatiIpomaea pes-capraeJuncus spp.Limonium carolinianumMachaeranthera phyllocephalaMuhlenbergia capillarisMyrica ceriferaOenothera drummondiiOpuntia engelmanniiPanicum amarumPanicum virgatumPaspalum monostachyumPaspalum vaginatumPersea borboniaQuercus hemisphaericaQuercus virginianaSabal minorSabatia arenicolaSamolus ebracteatusSenecio riddelliiSesuvium portulacastrumSolidago sempervirensSpartina patensTrichoneura elegansVasevochloa multinervosaVigna luteola

pecanpost oaklive oak

pecanblack hickorygreen ashAmerican sycamoreeastern cottonwoodwater oakwillow oakShumard’s oaklive oakblack willowwing-leaf soapberryAmerican elm

alligator-weedmaiden-cane

coastal salt grasssaltwater cord grasssalt-meadow cord grassgulf cord grass

big bluestemlittle false bluestemgulf cord grassyellow Indian grass

bitter panic grasslittle false bluestemsea-oats

brown-seed crown grasslittle false bluestern

red buckeyepeppervinecrossvinetrumpet-creeperAmerican hornbeamrough-leaf dogwoodcommon persimmoneastern swamp-privetdeciduous hollyyaupontrumpet honeysuckleosage-orangeeastern hop-hornbeamVirginia-creeperAmerican elderAtlantic poison-ivysouthern arrow-wood

greendragoneastern narrow-leaf sedgeoval-leaf sedgeCherokee sedgeIndian wood-oatsSlender wood-oatssmall-flowerfumewortbranched foldwingCarolina elephant’s-footVirginia wild ryeTexas wintergrasslarge-flowerbaby-blue-eyesCarolina wild petuniacress-leaf ragwortcommon chickweedwhite crownbeard

sugar-berryred bayDarlington’s oaklaurel oakblackjack oakwinged elm

hawthornyaupon sugar-berry

sweet-gumovercup oakcherry-bark oakcedar elm

Carolina fanwortcoontailwhorled marsh-pennywortlesser duckweedAmerican white water-lilypickerelweednipple-bract arrowheadbroad-leaf cat-tail

black mangroveturtleweedshoalweedlamp rushRoemer’s rushmaiden-canetorpedo grasswand panic grasstalquezalcommon reedbeaked ditch-grassbull-tongue arrowheadwoody saltwortchairrnaker’s bulrushCalifornia bulrushbig cord grassseashore dropseedsouthern cat-tailmarsh-millet

bushy bluestembroom-sedgepurple three-awnside-oats gramabuffalo grasshairyfimbryhairy-awn muhlygulf dune crown grassbrown-seed crown grassslender false bluestemsmut grass

saltmarsh false foxglovewestern ragweedArkansas dozedaisyAmerican blueheartssleepingplantdixie sandmathogwortgulf crotonTexas crab grassred cardinalbetony-leaf thoroughwortCarolinafimbrymarshfimbrysilver-leafsunflowerSt. Andrew’ s-crossbeach morning-glorybay-hopsrushCarolina sea-lavendarcamphor-daisyhairy-awn muhlysouthern bayberrybeach evening-primrosecactus-applebitter panic grasswand panic grassgulf dune crown grasstalquezalred bayDarlington’s oaklive oakdwarf palmettosand rose-gentianlimewater brookweedRiddell’s ragwortshoreline sea-purslaneseaside goldenrodsalt-meadow cord grassSiveus’ grassTexas grasspiedmont cow-pea

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Plant Associations

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Birds

Masked DuckBroad-billed Hummingbird

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Rare Birds Sighting in the Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande Valley Specialty BirdsCommon NameMuscovy Duck"Mexican Duck"Masked DuckRoadside HawkShort-tailed HawkGreen Violet-earGreen-breasted MangoBroad-billed HummingbirdElegant TrogonGreater PeweeSulphur-bellied FlycatcherRose-throated BecardMasked TityraYellow-green VireoTamaulipas CrowOrange-billed Nightingale-ThrushBlack-headed Nightingale-ThrushWhite-throated RobinBlue Mockingbird"Mangrove" Yellow WarblerGray-crowned YellowthroatSlate-throated RedstartGolden-crowned WarblerRufous-capped WarblerCrimson-collared GrosbeakBlue Bunting

Common NameAltamira OrioleAplomado FalconAudubon’s OrioleBlack-Bellied Whistling-DuckBlack-crested form of Tufted TitmouseBlue BuntingBotteri’s SparrowBronzed CowbirdBrownJayBrown-crested FlycatcherBuff-bellied HummingbirdClay-colored RobinCouch’s KingbirdCrested CaracaraElf OwlFerruginous Pygmy-OwlGray HawkGreat KiskadeeGreenJayGreenKingfisherGreen ParakeetGroove-billed AniGolden-fronted WoodpeckerHarris HawkHook-billed KiteLeast GrebeLong-billed ThrasherMasked DuckMottled DuckNeotropic CormorantNorthern Beardless-TyrannuletNorthernJacanaOlive SparrowPauraquePlain ChachalacaReddish EgretRed-billed PigeonRed-crowned ParrotRingedKingfisherRoadside HawkTamaulipas CrowTropical KingbirdTropical ParulaWhite-tipped DoveWhite-tailed HawkWhite-tailed KiteWhite-collared Seedeater

Mexican NamePato RealPato MexicanoPato EnmascaradoGavilàn CamineraGavilàn ColicortoChupaflorVerdemarChupaflorGorjinegroColibrî PiquianchoTrogòn EleganteTengofrîo GrandeVentura MecaCabezòn DegolladoTitira PuerquitoVireo TropicalCuervo TamaulipecoZorzalitoPiquinaranjaZorzalitoSolitarioZorzalGorjiblancoMulato Comùnn/aMascarita PiquigruesaPavito SelvàticoChipe Rey GorridoradoChipe Rey MexicanoPicogrueso CuellirrojoAzulejito

Scientific NameCairina mochataA. platyrhynchos novimexicanusNomonyx dominicusButeo magnirostrisB. brachyurusColibri thalassinusAnthracothorax prevostiiCynanthus latirostrisTrogon elegansContopus pertinaxMyiodynastes luteiventrisPachyramphus aglaiaeTityra semifasciataV. flavoviridisCorvus imparatusCatharus aurantiirostrisCatharus mexicanusT. assimilisMelanotis caerulescensD. p. bryantiG. poliocephalaMyioborus miniatusBasileuterus culicivorusB. rufifronsRhodothraupis celaenoCyanocompsa parellina

Scientific NameIcterus gularisFalco femoralisIcterus graduacaudaDendrocygna autumnalisBaeolophus bicolorCyanocompsa parellinaAimophila botteriiMolothrus aeneusCyanocorax morioMyiarchus tyrannulusAmazilia yucatensisTurdus grayiTyrannus couchiiPolyborus plancus or Caracara plancusMicrathene whitneyiGlaucidium brasilianumAsturina nitidaPitangus sulphuratusCyanocorax yncasChloroceryle americanaAratinga holochloraCrotophaga sulcirostrisMelanerpes aurifronsParabuteo unicinctusChondrohierax uncinatusTachybaptus dominicusToxostoma longirostreNomonyx dominicusAnas fulvigulaPhalacrocorax brasilianusCamptostoma imberbeJacana spinosaArremonops rufivirgatusNyctidromus albicollisOrtalis vetulaEgretta rufescensPatagioenas flavirostrisAmazona viridigenalisCeryle torquataButeo magnirostrisCorvus imparatusTyrannus melancholicusParula pitiayumiLeptotila verreauxiButeo albicaudatusElanus leucurusSporophila torqueola

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MAMMALSMammals Generally Distributed Throughout Texas

Mammals Occurring Principally in the Rio Grande Plains

Four Regions of Texas for Distribution of MammalsCommon Name Scientific NameVirginia Opossum Didelphis virginianaSilver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagansBig Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscusEastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealisHoary Bat Lasiurus cinereusBrazilian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensisEastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanusBlack-tailedJackrabbit Lepus californicusHispid Pocket Mouse Chaetodipus hispidusAmerican Beaver Castor canadensisFulvous Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys fulvescensWhite-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopusDeer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatusHispid Cotton Rat Sigmodon hispidusCoyote Canis latransCommon Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteusRingtail Bassariscus astutusCommon Raccoon Procyon lotorLong-tailed Weasel Mustela frenataStriped Skunk Mephitis mephitisBobcat Lynx rufusWhite-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

Mammals Occuring Principally East of the 100th MeridianCommon Name Scientific NameElliot’s Short-tailed Shrew Blarina hylophaga Least Shrew Cryptotis parvaEastern Mole Scalopus aquaticusEastern Pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavusNorthern Yellow Bat Lasiurus intermediusEvening Bat Nycticeius humeralisNine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger Northern Pygmy Mouse Baiomys tayloriEastern Woodrat Neotoma floridanaWoodland Vole Microtus pinetorumCommon Muskrat Ondatra zibethicusMink Mustela vison Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius

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Mink

Common NameMexican Long-tongued BatSouthern Yellow BatTexas Pocket GopherGulf Coast Kangaroo RatMexican Spiny Pocket MouseCoues’ Rice RatWhite-nosed CoatiEastern Hog-nosed SkunkOcelotMargayJaguarundi

Scientific NameChoeronycteris mexicanaLasiurus egaGeomys personatusDipodomys compactusLiomys irroratusOryzomys couesiNasua naricaConepatus leuconotusFelis pardalisFelis wiediiFelis yagouaroundi

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Hazard Analysis Summary & Recommendations

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ANALYSIS RESULTS RECOMMENDATIONS

Language Barrier

A large percentage of the population in each county speak an- -other language than english in their homes.Officialsorcontactpersonsoninternationallandmightnot -speak english.

Provide any information about hazards and procedures in spanish so -that any individuals that do not speak english acquire the appropriate information.Have bilingual people available on staff and on call if the moment -arises when cross international discussions or activities are conducted.

Fixed HazardousMaterials Sites

There is a numerous amount of sites in close proximity to the -cities or within the cities of each county.

Make sure a warning system is adequately in place to notify people in -a timely fashion if an accident were to occur.Try to have buffers in place that can lessen the burden on the environ- -ment if an accident occurs.Run simulated warnings periodically to allow people to recognize the -system in place.

Exposure to HazardousMaterials Incidents

Originating in Mexico

There are certain parts of cities with the two mile buffer along -the river.Areas could be affected due to contamination of water, land or -contact with toxic materials.

Make sure a warning system is adequately in place to notify people in -a timely fashion if an accident were to occur.Try to have buffers in place that can lessen the burden on the environ- -ment if an accident occurs.Have a collaborative measure in place with the jurisdiction across the -border so that all parties can communicate easily and run simulations to better prepare themselves in the event of an incident.

DroughtThe dominant land use type in Bellville is the built environ- -ment.Residential land use is the main component. -

Regulate the use of water during times of droughts. -Increase the more of natural areas on properties and open spaces due -to shade allowing for moisture to stay longer in the ground. This will also allow for animals to survive because the increase of habitat facili-ties more areas for them to live and stay away from heat.

Flooding

Flooding in the watershed will be along the regions of water -features.Any property in these areas can be prone to damage. -Flow of water would move quicker once on impervious pave- -ment.

Regulationsmakingpeoplewithinthesefloodzonestoelevatedtheir -homes.Make sure natural habitants are kept in place due to these areas having -a natural ability to facilitate water before reach populated areas.

Soil Erodibility A large amount of soil within the watershed is highly erodible. -

Have measures in place that lessen the amount of soil being eroded -where applicable such as using plant materials to strengthen the soil with their root systems.Regulations to make sure runoff is not increased because its able to -increase the frequency of soil that can be eroded off due to the speed ofwaterflow.

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Goals, Objectives and Policies

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Polic

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Increase understanding and support for hazard mitigation throughout the community.

Public health and safety must be protected dur-ing hazards.

Existing and new properties need to be pro-tected.

Make the public aware of the natural and man-made hazards they face.

Ensure that an adequate infrastructure is in place to protect public health and safety.

Reduce repetitive losses.

Educate the public on actions they can take to reduce the loss of life and/or property from hazards.

Utilize the latest technology to adequate-ly plan, warn, communicate, and miti-gate hazardous events.

Protect buildings and public infrastruc-ture by implementing the most cost-effective approaches.

Encourage the adoption of appropriate hazard mitigation measures. Reduce the danger to, and enhance pro-

tection of, vulnerable areas.

Protect critical facilities and services.

Enact and enforce measures to ensure that development will not put people in harm’s way or increase threats to exist-ing properties.

Hold annual meetings that allow people to learn about the hazards in their area.

Regulate the creations of structures and areas usage by using appropriate standards that will facilitate the use of the people without bring harm to the people.

Analysis areas that have history of being damaged or creating loss and implement an appropriate solution to resolve issue.

Establish workshops held by the city or county where people in the region can join and learn how to approach hazards.

Will conduct a survey of existing technology and judge worth it is up to the current standards and replace with up-to-date technology if it is not up to standards.

Incorporate the use of city resources where applicable.

Showcasethebenefitsofhazardmitigation measures. Implement the use of appropriate

design solutions. Solutions will be conducted in collaboration with ju-risdictional authorities and consulta-tion with experts in the areas that are being addressed.

Shall provide such critical facilities and services with the technology and information needed to survive and stay operational during times of haz-ards.

Enact and enforce measures to en-sure that development will not put people in harm’s way or increase threats to existing properties.

Make information available through the use of brochure throughout the counties.

Advise the public about health and safety precautions to guard against injury and loss of life from hazards.

Shall test technology periodically totesttheefficiencyofreachingthepeople in the region.

Shall facilitate the training of vol-untary services for people who will provide help during times of hazard.

Add ordinances that allow for people to get tax breaks on their property if appropriate mitigation measures are implemented by the owner.

Developments should be of a sus-tainable manner such as conserva-tion subdivisions instead of your standard practice of subdivision de-velopment.

Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3

Objective 1.1 Objective 2.1 Objective 3.1

Objective 1.2 Objective 2.2

Objective 3.2

Objective 1.3Objective 2.3

Objective 2.4

Objective 3.3

Policy 1.1.1Policy 2.1.1

Policy 3.1.1

Policy 1.2.1 Policy 2.2.1

Policy 3.2.1


Policy 2.4.1

Policy 3.3.1

Policy 1.1.2


Policy 3.2.2

Policy 1.3.2 Policy 3.3.2

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Goals, Objectives and Policies

Goa

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Polic

ies

Build and support local capacity and commit-ment to continuously become less vulnerable to hazards.

Growth should be approached in a sustainable manner.

Establish Collaboration Efforts

Develop a comprehensive, geo-coded database of hazards in Mexico that may impact U.S. lives and property.

Promotebeneficialusesofhazardousareas while expanding open space and recreational opportunities.

Establish communications throughout all counties in the watershed.

Build and support local, regional, na-tional and international partnerships to continuously become less vulnerable to hazards.

Utilize regulatory approaches to prevent creation of future hazards to life and property.

Build hazard mitigation concerns into planning and budgeting processes.

Use design measures that help in facili-tating hazards but minimize environ-mental impacts.

Establish communications with interna-tional jurisdictions.

Partnerships shall be made between appropriate agencies in both coun-tries.

Showcasethatareaswithinfloodzones can double as a park and de-tention area for water during periods offlooding.

Establish a committee that will in-volve all jurisdictions.

Will create contacts within all levels to gain and provide information of hazards and any application research done.

Regulate the creations of structures and areas of entertainment by using appropriate site surveys to make sure what the site can facilitate the use that it is being design for.

Will create a plan that outlines how the jurisdictions are to approach haz-ards when faced with those hazards.

All jurisdictions in watershed will create a committee that will look at adjusting and incorporating concerns of hazard mitigation.

Incorporate hazard mitigation into the long-range planning and devel-opment activities that will promote the use of appropriate design tech-niques such as conservation ease-ments.

Studies shall be conducted after any design measure dealing with facili-tating hazards is constructed to see if this type of design measure is worth implementing elsewhere.

Make contacts from individuals in the jurisdictions adjacent to the counties in the watershed.

Data will be updated as soon as new information is made available. Will provide information throughout

the counties in the watershed in both English and Spanish.

Establish a committee that will be in charge of taking action in the event that there is an incident where all jurisdictions in both countries need to be involved.

Will create and implement a plan that can be followed and will be pe-riodically simulated so that all par-tiesareefficientinimplementingtheplan.

Will appoint certain people to be translators when need to help with the language barrier.

Goal 4 Goal 5 Goal 6

Objective 4.1Objective 5.1 Objective 6.1

Objective 4.2

Objective 5.2

Objective 4.3

Objective 5.3

Objective 6.2


Policy 6.1.1

Policy 4.2.1

Policy 5.2.1

Policy 6.1.2

Policy 4.3.1

Policy 5.3.1

Policy 5.3.2

Policy 6.2.1


Policy 6.2.2

Policy 6.2.3

Policy 6.2.4

South Laguna Madre Watershed Environmental...

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