The project will aid in the protection of Texas water by studying how climate change affects fecal bacterial contamination along Texas beaches.
Funding the project
The Texas Coast Project is being funded through the Community Project Funding process for fiscal year 2024 spending bills. Texas State applied for the grant through U.S. Rep. Greg Casar's office in 2023, according to a news release. The application was approved within the first round of government funding packages the U.S. House passed on March 6 and then signed by President Joe Biden on March 9.
What they're saying
Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse emphasized protecting Texas water is a university research priority.
"We are grateful for Congressman Casar's dedication to bring this federal investment to Texas State. These dollars will support our work in addressing a public health issue, and in protecting the resiliency of our coast and waterways for generations," Damphousse said in a news release.
Casar said the climate crisis and contamination is polluting our water and putting Texans' health at risk.
“In the summer heat, Texans rely on our beaches and rivers to relax and cool off. If we don’t want our beaches closed by pollution, then we need to use science and public policy to counter worsening contamination. Today’s investment will fund critical research at Texas State University to protect our water and our shores for decades to come,” Casar said in a news release.
