NSF Grant Application

The application for a Category 1 grant award was submitted to NSF on 4/15/10. The application was submitted by the University of Houston with Rice University and Bayou Preservation Association as co-investigators. UH and Rice identified twelve research scientists for the four work teams. Each work team will be assigned a specific research category - (1) land use, (2) geochemical integrity, (3) ecosystem dynamics, and (4) societal engagement. Each category will be evaluated to analyze potential impacts to water quality and supply sustainability for the upper San Jacinto watershed (i.e.; Lake Houston watershed). The work teams will develop a research plan for each study category, identify specific topics of research, identify lead investigators, and assist to develop a permanent network of observational stations to monitor water quality. Mini-workshops for each work team will be conducted quarterly. Deliverables include the development of a dynamic water quality model to predict water quality impacts based on a menu of actions available to the community. BPA's role will be to lead the stakeholder outreach, public education, and administrative policy elements of the study. A Category 1 award will provide approximately $150,000 for the one year study period. A decision from NSF is anticipated within 6-8 months (estimate December 2010).

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