Wetland Watch
Much of the Houston area is on or very near a wetland. Wetlands are neither land nor water - they are transition areas and are important to the region’s economy, physical health and community safety. We have lost our common sense when it comes to guarding these precious, irreplaceable gems of the Gulf Coast. Our permitting process is no longer protecting unique wetland areas such as “prairie potholes.”
A significant amount of development occurs without the benefit of any wetland permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers. They are understaffed and overworked in this area. The only violations they investigate are those that are reported to them – they do not proactively go out and check new developments for permits. Conservatively speaking, current trends indicate that over 20 years wetland losses will amount to 7.5 square miles or 4800 acres of wetlands every year.
If you would like to restore common sense, please join us and call the USACE to determine if a developer obtained a permit before filling a wetland. Use this basic form and send to the USACE and copy info@galvestonbaykeeper.com
Just as a rainforest is compared to the lungs of the earth... wetlands are the kidneys.
Galveston Bay Wetlands Need You!
1. Start by downloading this Google Earth Geodatabase. This tool contains the United States Army Corps of Engineers recent wetland permit applications in and around the Galveston Bay watershed.
Wetland Permit Geodatabase.kmz
2. Report New Development. Complete this form and submit to Galveston Baykeeper to ensure wetlands are properly mitigated under the Clean Water Act.
For more information and additional links go to the
Wetland Permit Database Metadata.doc
Wetlands act like:
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✴a huge sponge, soaking up water during hurricanes and heavy rains.
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✴a filter, straining toxins before they reach drinking water and bays.
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✴a nursery, home to many creatures.
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✴a system giving us insects, birds, fish - joy!
