| Counties: |
Galveston, Harris |
| Parameter: |
Dioxin |
| Basins: |
Bays & Estuaries, San Jacinto River, Trinity-San Jacinto
Coastal Basin |
| Segments: |
0901, 1001, 1005, 1006, 1007, 2421, 2426, 2427, 2428, 2429,
2430, 2436, 2438 |
 |
|
Representation of a
Dioxin Molecule
Courtesy of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
|
Background
and Goals
The Houston Ship Channel System consists of 14 designated
segments, which together comprise the "enclosed" portion of the
Houston Ship Channel proper with its major tributaries and side
bays. The dioxin TMDL project includes ten of the designated
Houston Ship Channel System segments. The Houston Ship Channel has
long been one of the three or four busiest ports in the United
States.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) advises
that consumers restrict their consumption of catfish and blue crab
caught in the Houston Ship Channel because dioxin concentrations
found in them pose a risk to consumers. Dioxin is a generic term
for a suite of toxic and environmentally persistent compounds.
The goal of this TMDL project is the reduction of contaminant
concentrations in fish tissue to levels that constitute an
acceptable risk to consumers.
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Public
Participation
An advisory
group is consulting with the TCEQ on this project. Advisory
group meetings are open to all. Find out
more about meetings and membership of the advisory group.
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Project Documents
The following documents are available in PDF. Help with PDF.
Data collected by the TMDL Project:
This file (PDF) contains all the new data collected to support
the TMDL project. Appendices are not included, but can be acquired
by contacting the TCEQ Project Manager to request those wanted.
Data files in electronic format (Excel spreadsheets or Access
databases) may also be available if requested. Most of the stream
data for water, sediment, and tissue are in the TCEQ SWQMIS
database; air and runoff and effluent data are not.
Annual summaries of project findings and
progress:
These documents compile quarterly reports from the project. Each
summarizes activities during the preceding fiscal year (September -
August). Appendices are not included with these links, but may be
requested from Project Manager. Summaries and information from
years prior to FY2005 may also be requested.
Project presentations from public meetings:
These are slide shows used at several public meetings during
2005-2007. Many of the slide graphics also appear in progress
reports. The slide shows also summarize project findings and
progress, in a less dense and detailed format than the progress
reports. Any target values or load allocations shown in these
slides were preliminary results subject to change as analyses are
refined.
For more information, or to acquire additional documents and
data, contact Larry Koenig, TMDL Program at 512/239-4533.
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For More Information
For additional information about the advisory group, please
contact Earlene Lambeth at 512/239-3129. For technical information
about this project, contact Larry Koenig at 512/239-4533. Or send
an e-mail to tmdl@tceq.state.tx.us, and
reference the Houston Ship Channel Dioxin project in the subject
line.
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