ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
 MATAGORDA BAY HEALTH
Organisms living in Matagorda Bay reacted relatively modestly to higher salinity resulting from less fresh water flowing into the bay, according to model simulations done by the bay health evaluation team.
The number of bottom-feeding organisms increased while those feeding on suspended particles decreased, according to the study, Modeling Benthic Productivity, being conducted by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The simulations covered 1991 – 2006.
The study concluded that freshwater inflow and corresponding changes in salinity play an important role in maintaining the observed character of estuarine productivity through the combined effects of the frequency, duration, timing and magnitude of inflow, particularly during droughts or low-flow periods.
NEW STUDY: RIVER WATER IMPACTS
A new study on river water near the South Texas Project nuclear plant was launched recently. The project’s potential impacts on river water near the South Texas Project nuclear plant will be assessed to determine how quality and quantity of water used by the plant might be affected.
NEW STUDY: WATERFOWLA new study on waterfowl in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda counties was launched recently. It will assess how water holding basins holding basins and agricultural practices would affect ducks and geese. Through coordination with the socioeconomic study, the social and economic contributions of the waterfowl industry also will be examined.
SOCIOECONOMIC STUDIES
 Three reports — Region K Existing Conditions, Existing Conditions in Region L and Existing Conditions for the Municipal and Industrial Sectors — recently were released by CH2M HILL. The reports analyze current socioeconomic conditions in three areas to compare to future conditions with and without the proposed project.
Some of the key points are:
- The rice industry and related agricultural services account for more than 7 percent of jobs, more than $33 million in salary and wages, and more than $130 million in total output In the lower three counties in the Colorado basin.
- Income in Region K is slightly higher than the state median income; still, average unemployment in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda counties is higher than Region K and the state.
- Job growth, industry earnings, housing construction and school enrollment in Bexar County and Region L are rising strongly. Per capita income has grown 3-4 percent each year of the last 10 years, though median income remains lower than the state average.
These reports were prepared to address questions raised by the public and to meet state and federal permit requirements.
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