Larry Beran of Texas AgriLIFE Research gave a presentation to Brown County Commissioners on Monday regarding the Mid Pecan Bayou recreational use attainability analysis that will be performed in the Spring-Summer of 2011.

Beran, along with Jason Westbrook and Eric Williams with the Texas AgriLIFE Research, explained to the court that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality monitors sites along Texas waterways to evaluate levels of certain bacteria that could be ingested by humans in recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, wading, canoeing and rafting.

The Pecan Bayou is being studied to see what recreational activities it is suited for according to the levels of bacteria found.  According to Beran, a 13 mile stretch of the Pecan Bayou, which begins at a point just north of the confluence of Willis Creek (near FM 2126) to Mackinally Creek south of Zephyr (near CR 258) would be studied to determine features such as depth, velocity and, the deepest point.  Conditions such as fecal droppings of wildlife, litter (large and small items), and aesthetics of the creek will be used to determine areas where the creek is desirable for recreational activities and how the features encourage the growth of certain harmful bacteria.  As time nears the date of the study a public meeting will be held to inform residents of more details.

In other matters on the commissioners’ agenda Monday:

*Commissioners unanimously approved reappointment of David Olhauasen to the Cen-Tex Rural Rail Transportation District.

*Brown County District Clerk Jan Brown received unanimous approval of her request to buy a new printer from Print Solutions for $1248.  The list price of the printer was reported by Brown to be $1449.

*Consideration of reappointment of Thomas Petross to the Brown County Appraisal Board was determined to be unnecessary because his term continues into 2011.

Photo: A map shown in commissioners court of the analysis area