The SRA-TX recognizes the value and efficiency of working towards common goals in partnership with other state and federal agencies. By working together, we increase effectiveness and amplify our common mission for conservation, pollution prevention, and improving water quality for the State of Texas.
SRA-TX has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on numerous projects through the years. This partnership has benefited wildlife and the people of Texas by supporting the science of wildlife management, pollution prevention and cleanup, and encouraging public participation in outdoor activities.
SRA-TX has assisted TPWD on multiple studies with staff, equipment, and logistics. These studies include: blue sucker research in the Lower Sabine River, mussel and fish relocation for the Gulf Coast Canal system and Toledo Bend construction projects, rookery studies, non-game bird studies, red-cockaded woodpecker studies, annual eagle count surveys, aquatic vegetation studies, and mussel and water quality studies in relation to wastewater outfalls.
SRA-TX supports the TPWD Invasive Vegetation Control Team with annual funding, logistics, and manpower for the control of invasive vegetation on its reservoirs and on the Sabine River. The following links have more information on invasive species: Clean, Drain, Dry Your Boat and Never Dump Your Tank
SRA-TX field biologists routinely assists the TPWD with rapid spill and fish kill investigations. These rapid response investigations help the TPWD to focus its enforcement and spill cleanup authority where it can have the largest impact protecting the waters of the Sabine River Basin and Texas.
SRA-TX hosted the first annual Bass Classic fishing tournament in 2007. This tournament and the subsequent tournaments hosted by SRA-TX and others was a benefit with annual donations of $250,000 to TPWD education and outreach programs.
SRA-TX partners with the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality providing field services and expertise for wastewater receiving studies, flow studies, permitting support, special studies upon request, the Clean Rivers Program, and assisting with spills and environmental threat response. This partnership is critical to maintaining good water quality and environmental stewardship in the Sabine Basin.
SRA-TX works with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fish to ensure the protection of fish and wildlife resources on Toledo Bend Reservoir and the Sabine River. Two examples of this cooperative partnership were fish relocation projects in 2018 and 2019 for maintenance projects on the Toledo Bend Spillway.
SRA-TX field biologists routinely assist the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) with rapid spill investigations in the East Texas Oil Field. These rapid response investigations allow the SRA-TX to assess environmental conditions that may threaten water intakes and fish and wildlife, reporting conditions back to regulators at the RRC.
SRA-TX has a long-term partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Though this partnership SRA-TX, funds 18 USGS stream gages, level gages, and rain gages. This partnership provides valuable information to the public with current river and reservoir data as well as long-term data useful to scientific researchers from multiple disciplines.
SRA-TX has also committed staff to assist the USGS with the collection of water samples and in monitoring passive zebra mussel sampling devices in Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni since 2011. This project is administered by the USGS Non-Indigenous Aquatic Species group for the purpose of early detection and intervention in the spread of zebra mussels.
