Clear Creek Flood Damage Reduction Project is currently seeking public comment on the Clear Creek Project Draft Supplement EIS.
• Public Hearing was held on January 11, 2012. As the Clear Creek Watershed representative, I was unable to attend. However, Galveston Baykeeper and the Bay Area Sierra Club sent representatives who have provided updates to me.
• The comment period was extended until February 14, 2012. Details are NOT posted on www.clearcreekcleanup.org
• The concerns I plan to address are: removal of trees to make way for the hi-flow channels in two different sections of the main stream of Clear Creek. Most of the other detention and channel enhancements are along tributaries. I will be making comment as an individual and former Vice-Chair of the Clear Creek Project Steering Committee.
• Potential BPA Action: BPA could send notification of this public comment period requesting constituent comments. BPA could expand their comments beyond my perspective.

Oil pipeline crossing Clear Creek:
• Delayed seeking an alternate route to avoid sensitive habitat.
• I plan to be better informed on this proposed pipeline crossing.

League City Parks Department Kayak Trail (along Clear Creek from Countryside Park to the Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center):
• The kayak trail is being designed by Clark Condon Assoc. and TBG just won the bid for implementing the design.
• The original design called for five (5) launch sites with accompanying educational and directional signage and commercial kiosks for equipment and refreshments.
• The bid award is for only three (3) launches: Countryside Park, Walter Hall Park, and Heritage Park. Galveston County Parks Department will be partnering with the City of League City to create the kayak launch on the Creek at Walter Hall Park, a Galveston County park.
• Harris County did not partner on this project for a launch at Challenger Park which was to be the fourth launch.
• The fifth launch originally sited adjacent to the boat launch under the 270/Egret Bay Blvd. is going to be re-located further upstream of this launch to avoid congestion on the launch and wakes from jet ski, power boat, and water skier use. The fifth launch will be re-located to a back bay just upstream on the Creek. Access will be from the frontage road. A path will be created for portage. Design for off street parking along the frontage road will be oordinated with TXDOT. When both of these design details are finalized, construction will progress.
• Future progress on an appropriate kayak launch at Challenger Park is unknown. Look for future updates. The problem of introducing kayaks and canoes into the very congested area at the 270 boat launch has been solved by moving the kayak launch to a shallow back water, protected from motor boat traffic and wakes. Users will have a longer distance to carry their boats but it is through a section of the Nature Center that has not been developed yet. Previously, all terrain vehicles (ATV) were illegally abusing the land. Strategic placement of bollards and increased police patrolling of the area has stopped this practice. There is currently a worn path from people parking vehicles along the bollards and walking back to the Creek's edge for fishing. With the kayak launch, a more substantial path, and possibly parking, will provide access and use to this area
• Potential BPA Action: It would be helpful if BPA constituents were informed of these new launches under construction on Clear Creek. BPA could send a letter of support and encouragement to the Parks Department and City Council.

Clear Creek Environmental Foundation's Annual Clean-Up (February)
• First three weekends of the year, CCEF board and volunteers working in Dickinson cleaned up Dickinson Bayou, near the mouth, collecting 8 tons of trash which was off loaded from the waterway at the Highway 3 boat ramp last weekend.
• Presently working under the Kemah bridge collecting trash.
• The last weekend in January work will move upstream to Nassau Bay Peninsula.
• Following, work will move further up the Creek. Final day is Saturday, February 18. The website is www.clearcreekcleanup.org but it is not currently updated for 2012.

"Protecting and restoring the richness and diversity of our waterways"