Today Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush announced the application process for the new Commissioner's Coastal Resiliency Advisory Group (CCRAG) has begun. This regional advisory group of 15 members will consist of local government, business and industry leaders serving two-year terms. Those interested in applying for a position on the panel can download the application as well as the CCRAG Information and Guidance Document at http://www.glo.texas.gov/coast/coastal-management/forms/index.html . The deadline for the Commissioner's Coastal Resiliency Advisory Group Applications is April 11, 2016. Submission information is listed on the last page of the application.
"As a conservative, I believe decisions are best made with input from those closest to the issue," said Commissioner Bush. "That's why I am building a coalition of local leadership who live, work and play along our vibrant coastline, to offer advice on how to best safeguard this vital resource. When we make decisions at the GLO that impact the coastal regions of our great state, I want the input of folks whose daily life is directly tied to promoting a dynamic coastal economy and protecting our shared heritage for generations to come."
Three members will be selected from each of the five coastal regions of the Regional Councils of Government (COGs). These regions include the following counties:
Region 15: Hardin, Jefferson and Orange
Region 16: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton
Region 17: Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Victoria
Region 20: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleburg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio
Region 21: Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy
Of the three members from each region, one will be an elected or government official from a county or municipality. The second will be a representative from a coastal conservation or regional planning organization. The third will be a representative from a regional port or member of the coastal business community. The Regional COGs will make one recommendation for each of the three representatives for their respective regions as well as conduct the application process.
"Texas' beaches, marshes and islands are a symbol of all that Texas stands for and making sure we build, maintain and protect our coast is one of my top priorities," Commissioner Bush said. "Together we can all work together to ensure the Texas coast remains a beacon of economic activity and wildlife preservation for all to enjoy."
Meetings of the Coastal Resiliency Advisory Group will be held quarterly at a location in a different coastal region on a rotating basis. The group will review and evaluate the effect of state policies and programs and make recommendations to the Commissioner on matters relating to coastal resiliency and recovery. The group will also recommend policies to the Commissioner for the use, allocation, or distribution of funds that include identification of statewide priorities and issues relating to applications for financial assistance. The group will consider issues such as evaluation criteria for providing financial assistance and recommend to the Commissioner special studies and projects to further the effectiveness of coastal resiliency and recovery.
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