Human Exposure to Air Toxics Near Major Ports, Roadways, Border Regions And Shale Formations

Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center

7000 Fannin Street, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77030

$ 3,000,000

The NUATRC was authorized in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments to specifically conduct research on the human health effects from exposure to air toxics.  Since its inception, the NUATRC has conducted research that has advanced the understanding of air toxics significantly for the nation and has developed new technologies to measure personal exposure to air toxics.  Furthermore, the NUATRC has a proven track record of being a good steward of federal resources, by using the federal funding to attract other sources of funding to support specific research initiatives.  The EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at NIH recognize the NUATRCS research as cutting edge and complementary to the air toxics research done on a national level by EPA.

East End Buffalo Bayou Greenway Project

Buffalo Bayou Partnership

1113 Vine Street Suite 200

Houston, TX 77002

$ 1,500,000

Buffalo Bayou is finalizing a National Heritage Cooridor designation - the project will consist of construction of a hike and bike trail system that connects Houston's East End to Downtown Houston and beyond, as well as parks and open space. The trails will benefit long-time residents of the east end, as well as a growing new residential population.  Benefits include:  recreation, alternative transportation, improved water quality, healthier lifestyle, improved quality of life.

Buffalo Bend Nature Park Phase II Development

Buffalo Bayou Partnership

1113 Vine Street Suite 200

Houston, TX 77002

$ 1,000,000

Funding will be used to implement Phase II development of Buffalo Bend Nature Park in Houston's east end.  Harris County Precinct Two owns and maintains the park and BBP is responsible for its development.  NOAA federal funds were used to purchase the land.  A Phase I project was completed in 2009.  It included man-made ecologial features:  three stormwater filtration ponds, rock walls and weirs, cistern to collect water, native wetland and tree plantings.  Funds are being requested for the park's Phase II development including:  park trails, wetland observation deck, wetland boardwalk, additional native landscaping, and park amenities. The trails will benefit long-time residents of the East End, as well as a growing new residential population.  Benefits include:  recreational and environmental education activities, improved water quality, healthier lifestyle, improved quality of life.

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement Project

City Of Baytown, Texas

Baytown City Hall

2401 Market Street

Baytown, TX 77522

$ 2,835,000

The project will elevate structures out of the floodway and reduce the storm surge impacts suffered as was suffered during Hurricane Ike.  Installation of post-storm emergency power systems are also a part of this project.  This project will provide standby power for a wastewater treatment facility serving several thousand residents in Baytown, Texas but also improve the functionality of the wastewater plant during flooding events by raising several critical structures out of the 100-year floodplain.

Endangered Species Conservation: Houston Toad Head Starting And Recovery

Houston Zoo, Inc.

6200 Hermann Park Drive

Houston, TX 77030

$ 77,165

The direct benefits from this project are the prevention of biodiversity loss and the development of science-based reintroduction techniques.  Amphibians are declining globally for a variety of reasons and there are few examples of successful reintroduction programs. Research into and refinement of recovery methods for amphibians will become increasingly needed as time passes.

Greens Bayou Corridor Initiative

Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition

16945 Northchase Drive Suite 1900

Houston, TX 77060

$ 1,250,000

This funding will allow the development by the Greens Bayou Coalition of multiple miles of linear park/trail creation along portions of Greens Bayou near large segments of residential communities and include water quality filtering features.

Sims Bayou Water Quality Improvement Initiative

Houston Parks Board Local Government Corporation

300 North Post Oak Lane

Houston, TX 77024

$ 250,000

This funding will allow for the implementation by Houston Parks Board Local Government Corporation (in conjunction with the Harris County Flood Control District) of a linear trail connecting Reveille Park, Stewart Park and Law Park and other greenway segments along Sims Bayou. The funding will assist with the construction of water quality filtering features and linear parks/trails along the bayou.