[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6586090,"mediaKeyId","5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd","parentId",5555723,"title","SFA researcher finds Chinese tallow leaf litter reduces amphibian breeding in mesocosm trials","audioSeconds",1669,"startMs",4421000,"endMs",6090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd&start=4421&end=6090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd/thumbnail_4421000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586090/Texas/SFA-researcher-finds-Chinese-tallow-leaf-litter-reduces-amphibian-breeding-in-mesocosm-trials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586090-90fe174454a54befac30676ca2072de2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718455&Signature=D6HjDNdm6w5~LEijW-7xAYt0aMXR8SjcSOA2vddv8rbr5qKd95QGu-XiJwrVxyKBk2gnkZHczAobBZRYcuYnuQb4DzZZtqfjyCz2w5R748aowlQoVNZ-TWPBaFB~W57e5T78at6Zpj8~6VP0WLLukE7uQUuiZTbwqEE5mx-d6XyLfQEv-652nmTO41I7rz6J0gHWNcvGAH4lHG1KSOlgGNaZ~Hiw9jYIupqlbYzmSE7XJYAhFIZoc2zCpIgFaxyNtykHDARd84ihVyVpKMbWVlw35gRGBPzj~-7sBnk-HkdaG4aHEl3xYrTQoy4e-O-JSqlrKMH3gaG068i2aVGwlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Angelina and Neches River Authority (ANRA)","date","2025-08-08T20:26:29.317Z","article","Caleb Mellas, a doctoral student at Stephen F. Austin State University, presented multi-year mesocosm experiments testing how leaf-litter species and concentration affect oviposition and tadpole survival for local amphibians. Mellas said Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) leaf litter decomposes rapidly, produces darker, tannin-rich water and can sharply lower dissolved oxygen and pH compared with native leaf types such as loblolly pine and shumard oak.

In a 2024 cafeteria-style mesocosm experiment, Mellas placed 35 tanks with different leaf-litter species (tallow, oak, pine, and a no-litter control) at two concentrations and allowed local tree frogs to select oviposition sites. He reported the following findings from the March–May breeding period:
- Dissolved oxygen and pH were lowest in tallow treatments; pine treatments retained higher dissolved oxygen.
- Egg masses, tadpoles and breeding pairs were observed least frequently in tanks with tallow leaf litter, particularly at higher concentrations.
- End-of-season dip-net surveys found no tadpoles in high-tallow treatments, while pine and control treatments had substantially higher tadpole abundance.

Mellas told the group he replicated and expanded the experiment in a second, full factorial study that also varied wetland size (large 800‑liter tanks vs. small 80‑liter tanks) and predator presence (Mosquitofish). Preliminary results reinforce that tallow decomposition drives rapid oxygen consumption and acidification; small ephemeral wetlands showed faster turnover of water chemistry and could be more vulnerable to short-term anoxic events. He said tadpoles were absent from many tallow treatments in 2024 but a limited number appeared in subsequent trials, suggesting tallow exposure can cause high larval mortality and/or avoidance by adults.

Why it matters: Chinese tallow is a widespread invasive tree in the region; its leaf litter alters water chemistry in ways that can make wetlands less suitable for amphibian reproduction. Mellas said those changes can scale up to reduced amphibian recruitment, shifts in wetland community composition and potential indirect effects on mosquito dynamics and human-wildlife interactions.

Methods and controls: Mellas described leaf-litter concentrations (grams per liter), weekly water-quality monitoring (DO, pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity and TDS) and nightly counts of adult males, females, breeding pairs and presence/absence of eggs and tadpoles. Mesocosms were open to allow tree-frog access and arranged in randomized blocks; treatments were replicated five times.

Next steps: Mellas said he is expanding analyses to include water-clarity spectrometer data and climate-context experiments on decomposition under elevated temperatures; he is seeking to transition portions of the research to undergraduate or master's projects to maintain the mesocosm array and continue monitoring.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Clean Rivers Program 2025 Steering Committee Meeting 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Doctoral student Caleb Mellas presented mesocosm research showing Chinese tallow leaf litter can lower dissolved oxygen and pH and that tree frogs avoided high‑tallow treatments; results suggest invasive tallow alters wetland suitability for amphibians and may reduce tadpole survival.","taxTitle","Angelina and Neches River Authority (ANRA), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",55249,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586094,"ANRA highlights outreach: Stash Your Trash, Texas Stream Team trainings and River Rendezvous comeback",828,3092000,3920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd&start=3092&end=3920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd/thumbnail_3092000.jpg","/articles/6586094/Texas/ANRA-highlights-outreach-Stash-Your-Trash-Texas-Stream-Team-trainings-and-River-Rendezvous-comeback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586094-1dcf45d8dcddfac4d48c79fcebfc839a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718455&Signature=B3HOanb42IUTZD~NU8xIaTy8ouXkqHXMpRmLmrvUb5firlm4kWLLhsQGmfn9Ln1dNuIhFnwNcLc40VC-UBVwrdSXlrmv3XMvVXrgIX5N8sqNVeoIIltrD8xAdJuEur8IV9BtVmGur2jJ1HcC8YOCv4YHCh81avd5-ctZJjj0gjAGxKCKt3FAexYXhkAos4i-CoTgAPiFO8ocn3LbatLtm2ibdRy9kEQ4sE08zgQqBhJ39k-ZTfijOPztMf0p1ybUlMZtw7-M6C~jx0lAMxZbTGbysYPL-eccsUcekr7uGb6zqEJ5iyY3QZde3aMoz6v47pWCHpPI~G0DCSxdNDpXpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kimberly Wagner, ANRA’s executive manager of communications, outlined outreach campaigns and volunteer programs the authority is running to increase public engagement with basin water-quality work.

Wagner said ANRA distributed roughly 10,000 reusable “Stash Your Trash” litter bags over the last two-plus years and recently ordered 15,000 more for distribution at public events and through partner businesses. The bags are recyclable and intended to be durable for recreational uses such as kayaking, fishing and tubing.

Wagner reviewed ANRA’s role as an affiliate partner of the Texas Stream Team volunteer monitoring network and said she has trained more than 100 volunteers through classroom sessions and paired cleanup events. She described a March volunteer training and cleanup at Bonita Creek that drew about 50–60 community members and students and said ANRA plans to run additional trainings and a fall cleanup.

Wagner also described the May 31 Natchez River Rendezvous, an ANRA‑led paddling event the authority revived after the 2018 hiatus. Wagner said the revived event limited participation to 100 vessels and drew roughly 140 paddlers and more than 100 volunteers from local groups and agencies; the event featured community partners and attracted positive feedback.

Why it matters: Outreach and volunteer monitoring expand the basin’s sampling capacity, raise awareness about pet waste and litter as nonpoint pollution sources, and connect residents to opportunities to report or reduce pollution.

Other items: Wagner noted ANRA’s growing social-media reach following outreach events and said the authority is collaborating on a documentary about the Natchez River and planning school- and community-focused materials for the fall. She invited residents to contact ANRA for Texas Stream Team training and to volunteer at upcoming events.

","ANRA communications staff reviewed education and outreach campaigns, volunteer monitoring trainings, distribution of litter bags and the successful relaunch of the Natchez River Rendezvous paddling event.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586100,"TMDL and watershed monitoring projects: TCEQ, TWRI and ANRA outline next steps for multiple tributaries",526,1354000,1880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd&start=1354&end=1880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd/thumbnail_1354000.jpg","/articles/6586100/Texas/TMDL-and-watershed-monitoring-projects-TCEQ-TWRI-and-ANRA-outline-next-steps-for-multiple-tributaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586100-759214b16eed90f4b16f99bde80e2918/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718455&Signature=DKmCQ8~eZAiSgPs62YpRjg~4gw27~Htg7G9q3ozY3J5u4xOd9OVoAlpoiFQEQ1EptEt50cKEjCX1R8qgailNb8qZ2nRvStk0K9MMquLaqSOzNxDZmhJI9sC0-pouP06JEFRvHpbZPn8wm2RITADzymWy6GjGuo72FbjS~5cZLSwrKUtEIURVcHq31cWS1ZR4~q-IURTWkSOPLrpQoidNSTpdsrZNTxelH-mai5Cm3CtCHdFfxYXzdTvJhLT7WRsxU6qX~gExApMmXh77ogUjeFZS6eVTOAXZChrqiHEhC3VaJjxuXvNEIGndkyx6WkXfnXbqlW7WvXXKojHNrbzLlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shay Postma of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and Wyatt Eason of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) presented on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation and monitoring updates for multiple tributaries in the ANRA basin. Postma described the TMDL process (TCEQ sets standards; monitoring and watershed characterization follow; TMDLs or watershed protection plans are developed and implemented) and summarized activity in Lufkin-area tributaries identified as impaired for bacteria.

TCEQ program manager Wyatt Eason said the agency and partners adopted four initial bacteria TMDLs for the upper and mid portions of the basin in 2022 and added an April 2024 addendum for a Cedar Creek assessment unit. Eason said TCEQ plans to partner with TWRI on additional addendum TMDLs for Hurricane Creek and Biloxi Creek but that late funding cuts forced the agency to drop one contracted addendum and instead pilot an “in-house” TMDL development project as a cost-saving and training exercise.

Why it matters: TMDLs and watershed protection planning guide the actions — from livestock buffers to septic fixes and feral hog management — needed to reduce bacteria loads to meet state criteria. Presenters said the bacteria problems in several tributaries are driven primarily by runoff after rain events rather than only treated wastewater discharges.

Project updates and methods: TWRI and ANRA staff described several monitoring projects now underway or planned:
- Bayou Carrizo project: ANRA plans to add two additional monitoring sites to the single historical station and to increase sampling to monthly for 18 months to produce a more representative dataset.
- Sandy Creek and Cedar Creek: ANRA-led monitoring began in mid‑2025 at Sandy Creek; an Upper Cedar Creek addendum was added to the TMDL work and will be targeted for monitoring and characterization.
- Atoyac Bayou watershed protection and implementation work: TWRI and SFA staff described continuation of monitoring and outreach tied to an existing watershed protection plan; staff are seeking Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board to intensify monthly monitoring at prioritized stations and support implementation actions.
- Lanana Bayou: a 2024–2026 implementation project funded by the same 319 program includes monitoring, education and a hydrologic modeling task to identify priority locations for best-management practices to reduce bacteria and nutrient inputs.

Presenters described results of bacterial source-tracking work completed during earlier watershed planning that found wildlife (feral hogs, deer) and cattle can be important contributors in some watersheds; human sources (failing septic systems, sewer overflows) were generally a smaller component in those analyses but are addressable and therefore a focus for local implementation. TWRI reported that in some subwatersheds, modeled reductions of 61–95% in bacteria loads would be needed to meet state thresholds and that work since plan approval in 2023 has had limited uptake in agricultural conservation planning and septic repair; volunteer monitoring and forestry BMPs have continued.

No formal regulatory decisions were taken at the meeting; staff outlined monitoring schedules, steps to draft or revise TMDL/implementation documents and anticipated internal review timelines: TCEQ said an internal draft review was penciled in for February 2026 with guidance documents and SOPs by August 2026 and final approvals by October 2026 in the in-house pilot schedule.

","Presentations by TWRI, TCEQ and ANRA staff reviewed TMDL development and implementation in the basin, described addenda TMDLs and an in-house TMDL development pilot at TCEQ, and summarized monitoring projects for Hurricane Creek, Biloxi Creek, Bayou Carrizo, Sandy Creek, the Atoyac (Attoyac) Bayou WPP and Lanana Bayou work funded by state grants.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6586105,"ANRA staff review lab, biosolids and Clean Rivers monitoring work across basin",132,0,132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd&start=0&end=132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5555723-d4bdbe698d4b284e35a1c0672246bedd/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6586105/Texas/ANRA-staff-review-lab-biosolids-and-Clean-Rivers-monitoring-work-across-basin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586105-b4f96c2f995b192341a287c752d8863c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718455&Signature=c3s4awXNeK2XN1sa~alQ3yulOXs82LbjUmsBBzmNDJ2lLTqHHjTTNt8rZrWF43y8P63Z3T94OdntaGxXHInG0wmqscLKm-YO2KHVH1pe9U0WUss-VqcwlsUjDccHxdQoJZEODsUSAFEHkp6HMn8U~RmfjS645BB2R3XeEOy0TQVskr8LwT9OkKAYMP~4fVT45gW6LQuX998dxJHbSXdOkpWqqqOadd84tUD9johKe2TBikxt6y~caDWwN-sYFc09OpoXI0jD4ieT-pdgiDUVlab7EwRbezfmRdB4tcXHkU-DXi4t4npQKFFuhhi3f5qRgPbPTC1w0C3dytAbgj1-Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeremiah Blaine, an ANRA staff member, opened the meeting with an overview of the Angelina and Neches River Authority’s program structure and operations, saying the agency organizes work into administration, field operations and environmental divisions and “we’re gonna talk about water quality today.”

The authority operates multiple wastewater and drinking-water systems it has taken over, a biosolids composting facility in Jacksonville, and an on-site sewage facilities (OSS) permitting and complaint program for portions of Angelina and San Augustine counties. Emily Cole, the authority’s Clean Rivers Program coordinator, summarized the basin monitoring network and sampling schedule and noted the Clean Rivers program’s statutory role in assessing water quality for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reporting.

Why it matters: ANRA’s lab testing, OSS permitting and biosolids operations directly affect how wastewater solids are handled, how failing systems are identified and how water-quality data are gathered for state reporting. Several speakers emphasized the value of ongoing sampling for bacteria and dissolved oxygen and the need to keep monitoring equipment and laboratory capacity current.

Key details: Cole described the Clean Rivers monitoring network serving the basin and said ANRA conducts routine sampling at dozens of sites, including quarterly monitoring at many locations and two continuous dissolved-oxygen sites. She told the meeting that sampling is scheduled to resume and continue into 2026. The authority reported replacing an aging ion chromatography unit with a newer instrument, a purchase made possible by a private foundation grant; Kimberly Wagner, ANRA’s communications manager, thanked the Temple Foundation and field staff who supported the procurement.

Speakers raised routine operational topics. Blaine explained the three-part structure ANRA uses (administration/government coordination; water-resource planning and development; field operations that operate water and wastewater facilities). Cole and other staff emphasized the authority’s role in bringing failing systems back into compliance and the OSS program’s role in permitting and enforcement for home septic systems.

No formal actions or votes were taken on these administrative or operational updates.

Looking ahead: ANRA staff said monitoring and continuation projects are planned for 2026 and emphasized outreach to landowners and recreational users to reduce nonpoint sources of bacteria.

","Staff from the Angelina and Neches River Authority and partner agencies updated stakeholders on ANRA operations, the Clean Rivers Program monitoring network, recent equipment upgrades and planned sampling through 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SFA researcher finds Chinese tallow leaf litter reduces amphibian breeding in mesocosm trials

ANRA highlights outreach: Stash Your Trash, Texas Stream Team trainings and River Rendezvous comeback

TMDL and watershed monitoring projects: TCEQ, TWRI and ANRA outline next steps for multiple tributaries

ANRA staff review lab, biosolids and Clean Rivers monitoring work across basin