The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership are coming together to host a stakeholder meeting for community members to provide input for a new water quality project. This meeting is a great opportunity for local residents to have a say in the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) in the Geronimo and Alligator Creek watershed.
The meeting will take place at the AgriLife Extension office in Guadalupe County, specifically at 210 E. Live Oak St., Seguin, from 5:30-8 p.m. It is free to attend, but RSVPs are required by Sept. 10 through geronimocreek.org. The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority has generously agreed to fund the BMP project in the watershed, and community members will have the chance to discuss and provide input on which BMPs should be implemented.
BMPs are essential management techniques aimed at reducing negative environmental impacts while increasing efficiency and effectiveness. Some of the BMPs that will be discussed at the meeting include low-impact development, pet waste management, livestock management, and agricultural management. Attendees will also receive a brief history of the watershed and have ample networking opportunities.
Annalee Epps, an AgriLife Extension specialist with the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and coordinator for the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed, emphasized the importance of community involvement in this project. She stated, “People who live, work, and recreate in the watershed are our best resource for understanding local needs and opportunities for improvement.”
The Geronimo and Alligator Creek Watershed Partnership has been dedicated to restoring and protecting local water quality since its establishment in 2009. Public participation is crucial in addressing the watershed’s bacteria and nutrient impairments. This project is funded through a federal Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant administered by the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Overall, this stakeholder meeting presents a unique opportunity for community members to have a direct impact on the future of water quality in the Geronimo and Alligator Creek watershed. By coming together and sharing their insights and ideas, residents can contribute to the preservation and improvement of their local environment.