Protecting State Watersheds
Economic Impact Series
Environmental Concerns
 High nutrient, bacterial and salinity levels—along
with low dissolved-oxygen levels—in some Texas
watersheds have raised concerns among residents and
state officials about public health, water quality,
water-use limitations, aquatic habitat and reduced or
lost recreational opportunities.
 Potential sources of this pollution include natural
sources, feral hogs, wastewater-treatment systems,
livestock, pets and fertilizer and chemical runoff from
cropland, pasture, lawns, landscapes, parks and
industrial sites.
AgriLife Extension’s Response
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has
partnered with many local, state and federal agencies and
organizations to inform and educate residents about waterquality concerns in several Texas watersheds.
 AgriLife Extension currently coordinates protection
and education efforts in the following watersheds:
Attoyac, Copano Bay, Buck Creek, Pecos River,
Trinity River, Arroyo-Colorado River, Mills Creek,
Geronimo and Alligator Creeks.
 The process of improving water quality and protecting
a watershed’s natural resources typically involves
forming a local stakeholder partnership group,
identifying the causes of watershed pollution and
developing a comprehensive management plan.
Education and adoption of best management practices
are critical to implementing these efforts.
 Through more than 130 educational events, watershed
planning meetings and workshops in 2013, AgriLife
Extension and partnering agencies engaged 34,700
landowners and other stakeholders in an effort to
improve public awareness and participation vital to
developing and implementing watershed-protection
plans.
Economic Impact
The following highlights demonstrate recent
accomplishments made toward restoring water quality in
selected watershed protection and education programs.
 While efforts to protect watersheds and restore water
quality are in various stages, progress is being made.
Water quality has been restored in the Buck Creek
Watershed. In 2011, the Plum Creek Watershed
became the first watershed to be removed from EPA’s
list of impaired water bodies.
 To leverage state resources, $7.6 million in
externally-funded grants over 10 years have been
obtained to support critical water-quality protection
activities, identify sources of watershed
contamination, and educational programs.
 Furthermore, these grant-leveraged projects for
improving water quality support an additional 33 jobs
with an annual wage base of $1.1 million.
Contact:
Extending Knowledge | Providing Solutions
AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu
Douglas L. Steele, Director
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
ph. 979.845.7967
e-mail: dsteele@tamu.edu
agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/impacts
MKT-3558BG I 2014
Educational programs of Texas A&M University System members are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information,
or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating