The Meadows Center at Texas State University awarded $1.7M to help coastal communities fight pollution, improve stormwater management

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University was awarded $1.7 million on March 9 from the Coastal Management Program through the Texas General Land Office.

The grant is specifically meant for the Meadows Center to continue work on the Clean Coast Texas Collaborative to help coastal communities reduce pollution and incorporate stormwater management techniques through 2024, according to a press release from the university.

The collaborative element of Clean Coast Texas brings together a team of scientists, educators, engineers and communication professionals to work with communities across Texas’ coastal zones to discuss and work on improving water quality and stormwater management.

One of the issues the Clean Coast Texas Collaborative tackles is nonpoint source pollution, wherein rainwater collects and carries pollutants into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and groundwater supplies. Nonpoint source pollution degrades water quality and can have negative effects on drinking water, wildlife and the economy.

The grant funding will ensure that the collaborative can continue to offer resources to Aransas County for restoration purposes as well as seek to support more communities in Texas.

“Minimizing risks and maximizing resiliency is critical. With a focus on local partnerships, the Clean Coast Texas Collaborative will empower communities throughout the Texas Gulf Coast with the knowledge and resources they need to protect both their natural resources and local economies,” said Nick Dornak, Meadows Center director of watershed services, in the press release.