A message from HARC and GBF:
Our thoughts are with all those focusing on the post-Harvey recovery of homes and businesses throughout the Houston-Galveston region and the Texas Coast. Partners throughout the region are hard at work ensuring the recovery of Galveston Bay so it can continue to be a natural resource for all of us and generations to come. Below, is a list of clean-up events around the Bay and we will continue to update the report card website with information about Galveston Bay as we all work to restore and rebuild our home.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, our region and our state are struggling to take stock of the damage and begin the recovery process.

HARC, GBF, and our partners will continue working together to make a more resilient Houston-Galveston region and Galveston Bay.

Through the gracious support of Houston Endowment, HARC is working with local partners to gather and analyze data regarding Harvey’s effects on water quality, pollution events, human health risks, habitat impacts, including invasive species and litter and trash. Some of these risks, like bacteria, may be resolved in a matter of weeks, while issues like invasive species could impact the Bay for years.

GBF is monitoring water quality and organizing beach clean-ups

What You Can Do:

• Protect yourself if you need to be in flood waters. Flood waters often contain bacteria, toxic substances, fire ants, other wildlife, and hazardous debris. Use caution and wear protective clothing as necessary. Flood waters are not a safe place to play.
• Dispose of debris and trash properly to help keep it out of Galveston Bay.
• If you are looking for ways to take immediate action for Galveston Bay, come out to one of our bay beach clean-ups!
• Sign up to help Galveston Bay recover from Hurricane Harvey.
  • Saturday, September 23^rd – 8:30am to noon – Texas Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup at Morgan’s Point (still accepting volunteers)
  • Sunday, September 24^th – 1pm to 4pm – structure repair and dune repair at Galveston Island State Park (still accepting volunteers)
  • More dates coming…
• Report spills and leaks with the GBAN app
• Monitor DHSH’s seafood consumption advisories. Due to low salinities in the Bay, many fish species have been displaced by flood waters. Fish from contaminated areas might temporarily be found in other parts of Galveston Bay. Catch-and-release might be a safer alternative to consumption in the short-term aftermath of Harvey.
• Due to debris, bacteria levels and currents, do not swim in area waterbodies such as the bay, rivers, lakes and bayous. Pay attention to any posted signage or public health announcements. Data describing water quality are being gathered by state and local entities. Sources of information such as Texas Beach Watch have not been updated since before the storm.