• Global Traveler Magazine
• Southwest Paddlesports
• Wildlife Habitat Federation
• Bayou Preservation Association
• Galveston Bay Foundation
• San Jacinto River Authority
• Environment Associates
• Terry Hershey
• Ron Shoup, Architect
• HEB Grocery Stores

Nominated by SJCC and Legacy Land Trust, the San Jacinto made the list because unregulated sand mining operations are increasing sedimentation of the river and erosion of the river’s banks. This sediment ends up in the area’s reservoirs, reducing the Houston area’s drinking water supply, damaging the aquatic ecosystem, and denuding the land of bottomland hardwood forest without any land reclamation.

But the inclusion of the San Jacinto River on the America’s Most Endangered Rivers list presents us with a unique opportunity to change the course of the river’s future. More about the nomination: www.americanrivers.org

Please Take Action! Write TCEQ before April 24 to request the San Jacinto be added to the rule making process being debated for the Brazos River on land reclamation for sand mining. Read How.

Copyright (c) 2006 Bryan Carlile/Legacy Land Trust

- Rick Bass on his dilemma to save Montana's Yaak Valley or write about it.
The San Jacinto is Our Yaak Valley.

San Jacinto River News:

• Endangered River: Read the Press Release

• TAKE ACTION! Read the Action Alert, and Send a letter to TCEQ by Apr 24.

• Read the Nomination. Download the American Rivers Most Endangered Rivers (MER) Report (PDF). Visit the American Rivers MER page.
  1. Sand mining is causing extensive erosion and sedimentation on the San Jac, and destroying riparian bottomland hardwood forests along the river's edge. In their Clear Streams Initiative Report, TCEQ found ~50% operators statewide were illegally operating - either no permit, failure to use Best Management Practice, or illegal discharge into the river - but they still concluded that, "the overall findings of this report are that the waterways of Texas are not significantly impacted by mining activities." That contradicts sharply with assessments by TPWD biologists and flyovers of the San Jac showing obvious and substantial illegal discharges into the river. View an aerial on which TPWD outlined and estimated using GIS the ~3,000 acres of sand pits along the river.

  2. Bottomland hardwood forest loss: The Little Thicket forested roadless forest that lies in between the San Jac and Spring Creek is being destroyed at a devastating pace. The Spring Trails subdivision is underway, and Hallett Materials-a sand mining company - just clearcut next to Legacy Land Trust's prized Curry Lake Preserve - which SJCC helped get as mitigation for the Super Target in 2001. SJCC and Houston Sierra Club got the Little Thicket selected as one of the last "Special Places of Texas." View the Sierra Club Report (p 40-41). The report cover shot is Curry Lake.
  3. Water taking: Water rights permits are being reviewed by TCEQ that - if approved - would appropriate more water than currently flows in the river in dry years! That means this beautiful flowing river could completely dry up, akin to the Rio Grande. View a letter from TPWD to TCEQ about their concerns.