Congressman Greg Casar, San Marcos Leaders Celebrate $500K Federal Investment in Meadows Center Research

Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) joined Texas State University and San Marcos community leaders to present a $500,000 check for Meadows Center research on climate change and water contamination.

The $500,000 in federal funds earmarked by the Congressman will be used for The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment’s Texas Coast Project, which will aid the protection of Texas water by studying how climate change affects fecal bacterial contamination along Texas beaches.

“In the summer heat, Texans rely on our beaches and rivers to relax and cool off. If we don’t want our beaches closed by pollution, then we need to use science and public policy to counter worsening contamination,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “The climate crisis and contamination are polluting our water and putting Texans’ health at risk. Today’s investment will fund critical research at Texas State University to protect our water and our shores for decades to come.”

“Protecting Texas water is a TXST research priority,” said Dr. Kelly Damphousse, president of Texas State University. “We are grateful for Congressman Casar's dedication to bring this federal investment to TXST. These dollars will support our work in addressing a public health issue and in protecting the resiliency of our coast and waterways for generations of Texans to enjoy.”

This federal funding was made possible through the Community Project Funding process for the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills. 

More information about The Meadows Center for Water and The Environment can be found at https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/.