Bayou City Waterkeeper’s policy staff recently participated in legislative briefings to share our policy priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature and beyond, in collaboration with two coalitions we are part of, Texas Living Waters and Alliance for a Clean Texas (ACT).
Staff Attorney Clara Goodwin authored this post. In our work, we often find ourselves opposing actions of the U.S. Army
We have identified four priority Water Justice zones including Northeast Houston, Houston Port Communities, Southeast Houston, and Brazoria. Exploratory Water Justice Zones, or zones where we are beginning to build connections, include Fort Bend/Southwest Houston and Galveston. These zones guide our work, concentrating our resources and partnerships where they are needed most. However, they do not limit us—we remain open to working outside these zones as community needs evolve.
Coming from a background of grassroots organizing, I had to adapt to working within the structure of an organization like BCWK, which has traditionally approached advocacy through policy and legal avenues. However, BCWK’s commitment to centering community voices and addressing systemic water injustice has made it an ideal platform to elevate these issues in meaningful ways. This experience has been a powerful opportunity to merge grassroots organizing with BCWK’s expertise in water policy, empowering us to build even deeper connections and mobilize communities toward lasting change.
As a founding member of the Surge Forward coalition, we have raised concerns about the Ike Dike and focused on
The One Water Community Cohort is an independent cohort of water leaders working in conservation and environmental justice. It has been formed to engage in Houston’s One Water planning process by ensuring community leaders are equipped in the process and that the needs and priorities of Houston residents are reflected in the development of the plan. With diverse voices and perspectives at the table, we can develop community-led strategies and insights for our city’s water systems and leverage community knowledge to shape One Water planning that serves Houston equitably.
