FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009
CONTACTS: TCEQ-- TERRY CLAWSON 512/239-0046
GOMA-- VALERIE KLEINSCHMIDT 251/861-2523
TCEQ CHAIRMAN ATTENDS GULF OF MEXICO MEETING
Gulf of Mexico Alliance Aims to Keep Gulf a Treasured Resource
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) will convene Aug. 4-6 in Mobile, Ala., to address the health of the Gulf Region, drawing a diverse array of representatives from the five Gulf states, Washington D.C., and Mexico. Participants will gather to discuss implementation of the 2009 Governors’ Action Plan which outlines key steps and priorities for the Alliance over the next five years.
“This alliance is about increasing regional collaboration to enhance the ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Buddy Garcia. “A clean, healthy Gulf is essential to all Texans, whether they enjoy the recreational opportunities it offers, or the economic strength it brings to our state.”
Signed and supported by each of the five Gulf State governors, the Governors’ Action Plan aims to enhance community resilience, promote environmental education, support habitat restoration, reduce nutrient inputs to coastal waters, mitigate impacts to water quality, and identify and characterize Gulf ecosystems. Taking on issues that matter to Gulf state citizens, the Alliance is focused on achieving real results for a healthy Gulf.
“Texas, along with the Alliance, recognizes the Gulf economy, ecosystem health and water quality as challenges for the Gulf Region,” said Garcia. “By working to organize and implement accurate mapping, tide level predictions, resilient land use plans, and habitat conservation and restoration, the Alliance aims to increase communities’ ability to bounce back after storm events.”
Some other actions of the Alliance involve increasing awareness of the connection between the environment and our health by coordinating effective water quality testing and working together to evaluate algal blooms and mercury in Gulf fish. The Alliance is working to decrease the dead/hypoxic zone by reducing nutrient inputs. Through the implementation of a Sediment Master Plan, dredged material will be used for the most crucial restoration projects.
The second Governors’ Action Plan for Healthy & Resilient Coast builds upon the successes of the last and sets specific actions to be undertaken for a healthy economy and ecology for the Gulf of Mexico. The regional meeting enables federal, state, non-profit, business, education, and research members of the Alliance to come together to solidify a course of action for the next five years. To learn more go to www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org.
