Mission Statement

The mission of LLMEP is to combine the knowledge, resources and talents of federal, state, and local governments, citizens, industry, agriculture, academics, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties to identify and develop sound scientific information about the Lower Laguna Madre estuary to create effective management solutions for regional economic development, resiliency and sustainability. Furthermore, LLMEP will facilitate synergies between all stakeholders to promote responsible stewardship of the air, water, land, habitat and infrastructure.

The Lower Laguna Madre is an important and unspoiled lagoon ecosystems between the mainland of South Texas and Padre Island.  The Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program was created with the ultimate goal to establish a National Estuary Program for the Lower Laguna Madre.

The objectives of the Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program are to identify existing pertinent information, locate data gaps, seek other stakeholders (landowners, agricultural organizations, non-profit groups, NGOs, and other local governments), and expand the collaborative team of professionals to enhance the project’s capability to successfully achieve the ultimate goal of establishing a NEP for the LLM:

The development of a comprehensive strategic plan will target natural coastal waters, multi-use management, flood hazard mitigation, water quality strategies, protection of ecosystems, outreach and education and economic development.

Existing NEPs have had tremendous success with restoring habitat, improving water quality and education.  Emerging issues of concern for the Lower Laguna Madre Estuary Program include sea level rise, the loss of land from dune erosion, extreme weather events, habitat and community resiliency and economic development.