1. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Major topic headings for LLM Estuary Program Plan
Public Support
State Programs
Local and Regional Programs and Projects
Political commitment and financial sustainability

2. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Major topics from earlier Workshop
Role of 501 (c) (3) for EP
Establishment of regional and local “base level” funding
Role of existing regional foundations
Role of SWTF and CC TF and other municipal groups

3. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
External source of funding, local and regional programs and projects, and local agreements between cities and counties.
Enable grants from Federal sources, organizations and institutions such as HESTEC, CDBJ, and University Grant Sourcing.
Organizations such as Galveston Bay Foundation, TCEQ and Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program could help provide support; it is important to have Counties, Universities and Ports act as the primary leads for some sources of funds; the strength of the LLMEP coalition is in bringing together partners to accumulate even small funding support resources

4. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Increasing public awareness in schools and ISDs is important
Creative research programs and plans needed
Establish a regional research center that includes, water, air, soil, aquatic life, biological aspects, others or US/Mexico research group or center.
Public education and training; stakeholder groups can engage and provide monitoring support
Seek support from the neighboring counties/groups/programs not included within LMEP boundary but still value the resources and benefits and understand the risks in increasing the pollution within LLM 

5. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Stake holders
Partners listed include:
GLO, Rail Road Commission, AC Watershed Partnership, Irrigation districts, drainage districts, City of South Padre Island, County Commissions, Port Isabel Navigation district, LLM water district, Fish and wildlife districts, TX Parks and Wildlife, Texas Shrimp Association, CCAs, Port of Brownsville, Birding Centers, School Districts and community colleges, Harte Research Institute, Lone Star USACE CENTER, Oil and Gas operators, LNG industry partners, Sierra Clubs, IBWC, EPA/TCEQ, BECC/North America Development Corporation (NDC),

6. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Stake holders - Continued
Partners listed include:
Gorgas Science Foundation, NSF, USDA, Texas Agrilife, Texas Sea Grant Program, Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA), NOAA, municipal brackish water programs, FEMA, Texas Master Naturalists, Corps of Engineers dredging plans, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), PUB, USFW, TPWD, Texas Sea Grant, NRCS.

7. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Local and Regional Programs and Projects
Rio reforestation, National Weather Service in Brownsville, NOAA, desalination projects, municipal brackish water programs, invasive plants, LRGV Stormwater Task Force, FEMA, , LLM Brownsville Ship Channel Watershed Protection Plan, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, restoration for stream banks, Bahia Grande restoration project, South Padre Island dune protection, Mexus Gulfo, GLO, Texas Master Naturalists, Corps of Engineers dredging plans, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

8. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Political Commitment and Financial Capabilities
Organizations With Financial Capabilities - NOAA, GLO, PUB, USFW, TPWD, Texas SEA GRANT, USDA, NRCS, Texas Water Development Board, TDA, Local Foundations, BECC, Volunteer Organizations, EPA-Urban Water Programs, , Association of Ports.

9. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Political Commitment and Financial Capabilities
Organizations From Existing Political Infrastructure - State Representatives HESTEC, STORMWATER TASK FORCE, ARROYO WATERSHED CONSERVACY/PROTECTION, COASTAL CITIES TASK FORCE, IRRIGATION DISTRICTS, COUNTY COMMISIONS,, VALLEY NATURE CENTER AND TOURISM CO-OP, TEXAS RV ASSOCIATION TRVA RGV CHAPTER, TEXAS DOT, LRGDC, COG

10. LLMEP Thrust Area 3 Likelihood for Success or Sustainability of the EP
Public Support
Texas Agrilife, RGV Nature Naturalists, Red Tide Rangers, school districts, ISDs, TCEQ, Coastal Studies Laboratory-UTRGV, TAMUK, TAMUCC, Public radio groups, Texas Sea grant program, Diocese of Brownville, Valley Interfaith, Keep Texas beautiful groups, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

11. Initiatives - Update
Other Initiatives lead by Task Force (continue development with Cameron County, UT-RGV, TAMUK)
Laguna Madre Estuary Program (4 pathways)
UTRGV/Cameron County Partnership
GLO Funded (Grant)
TAMUK and UTRGV (i.e. Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Coastal Bay Estuary Program)
EPA RESTORE
NOAA
Governor’s Support/ TCEQ support (Nomination)
Congressman Initiative (Reauthorization 2019)
Center of Excellence (NSF, RESTORE)

12. Advisory Group Management Committee
Local Governments Advisory Committee
Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Citizens Advisory Committee
Financial Planning Advisory Committee

13. Advisory Group Nominations
U.S.EPA, Doug Jacobson
CBBEP, Ray Allen
TSSWCB Brian Koch
TWDB Carla Guthrie, Ph.D.
Port of Brownsville, Ariel Chávez II, P.E
The Nature Conservancy, Sonia Najera

14. Feedback from previous meetings
Question 1- Is 501(C) (3) a priority? Maybe in the near future?
What issues may impact program sustainability if there’s no external source of funding?
Response 1- There should be “base funding” from committed local groups
Response 2– If “base funding” is insufficient, local agreements between cities and counties, and memorandums to guarantee funding is another means.
Question 2- Are there any 501 (c) (3) or other approaches to meet federal requirements for funding? To enable grants from Federal source?
Response 1-Organizations and institutions such as HESTEC, CDBJ (?), University Grant Sourcing, should act as non-profit vehicles for funding
Response 2– Organizations such as Galveston Bay Foundation, TCEQ and Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program could help provide resources. It’s important to have counties, universities and ports to act as the primary lead for sourcing funds. The strength of the LLMEP coalition is in bringing together partners to accumulate even small.

15. Feedback from previous meetings
Question 2- Are there any 501 (c) (3) or other approaches to meet federal requirements for funding? To enable grants from Federal source?
Response 3- Fund layer progression should be from University-led to local government to NGOs and industries/Hybrids.
Response (C) (3) operation is not much good without grant managers and a good Board of Directors. Someone must be appointed to oversee grants and independently work with collaborators.
Response 5- Partnership should be initiated with existing orgs. (Matt R from RSTEC)
Response - Universities are an instrument for identity building to bring in other partners and communities/stakeholders to ensure a sense of belonging and ownership which should afterward takeover. It’s a transition process.