Spatial Sciences Laboratory

The Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) was established to assist land use planning efforts in Texas, specifically for the Texas Gulf Coast. TCWP is a collaborative effort between Texas Sea Grant and Texas Cooperative Extension. The TCWP utilizes the resources of universities and institutions throughout the state to provide a full range of geospatial and planning information and science that enables local land use planners to make informed decisions about land uses that impact coastal water quality.

The Spatial Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at Texas A&M University works directly with the TCWP to provide geospatial information and support. The SSL is the clearinghouse for geospatial information for a 13-county area along the Texas Gulf Coast. A range of geospatial data has been collected for Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties.

The SSL also provides assistance to a geospatial support specialist based in the TWCP with the development and assessment of GIS interfaces that will enable users to interact with geospatial data and make informed resource management decisions.

The TCWP is a full partner in the National NEMO (nonpoint education for municipal officials) Network (www.nemo.uconn.edu).