Our Work

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Air Monitor Tracking

The Coastal Watch Association operates a community focused air monitoring program designed to provide residents with transparent information about local air quality. The network currently uses non-regulatory monitors to track key pollutants including ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM₁₀), and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅).

Data from these monitors helps identify pollution trends and potential impacts along the Coastal Bend. The program is expanding its network by adding regulatory-grade BAM 1022 particulate monitors alongside additional non-regulatory sensors developed by the University of Texas at Arlington to improve coverage and data reliability across the region.

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Permit Watch

Permit Watch is the CWA tracking system for permits that could potentially put the Coastal Bend at risk. By evaluating the requests attached to the permits we are able to analyse the potential harm to the air, water, and earth based on official EPA regulations. Permits judged too risky for the Gulf Coast are shared here with information on how to request a public hearing from TCEQ. These permits may also become Contested Case Hearings in the future, to be taken in front of a judge and challenged by our legal team.

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Project YaREN

Coastal Watch Association has partnered with the community of Ingleside, Texas to rally against a proposed ammonia plant called Project YaREN. This industrial site would be the collaboration of two billion dollar industries: Yara, which is a Norwegian company currently being sued by US farmers for price-fixing, and Enbridge, a Canadian company with some of the highest EPA violations in the United States. This plant would be built within 3 miles of Ingleside primary school. A special permit proposal was brought before Ingleside City Council in December 2025 and died on the floor, but Project YaREN still has several permits open with TCEQ. CWA has two contested case hearings in progress to fight the approval of these permits, which would effectively shut the project down.

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Donnel Point Project

Donnel Point is a section of the Gulf owned by San Patricio County. While escorting guests on a “Toxic Tour” on his boat, CWA co-president Patrick Nye passed the stretch of land and noted an eroded area with an unusual feature. It appears to be a Indigenous midden” site, most likely frequented by multiple tribes of Indigenous people including the Karankawa. CWA is encouraging the port to voluntarily stop development to allow archeologists to investigate the site, which may lead to establishment as a historical location resulting in protection from further development.