Mission Statement
The mission of the Friends of Cedar Bayou United (FCBU) is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Cedar Bayou, its tributaries, and adjacent land for present users and posterity.
To accomplish this mission the FCBU targeted five goals:
- Bring to the public's attention the planned increase in industrial development on Cedar Bayou, including large scale barge and container facilities and the need to balance commercial and the public's use of Cedar Bayou.
- Ensure that Cedar Bayou-based facilities and commercial boat traffic are licensed and appropriate U.S., state and local government agencies, and that industry does not interfere with the quiet enjoyment of residential properties and public facilities, such as Roseland Park.
- Promote educational projects aimed at developing a constituency for Cedar Bayou, from school children to public officials to:
- Conserve places of natural beauty for or descendants to explore.
- Safeguard places of historical and cultural importance.
- Preserve land to protect the natural beauty of Cedar Bayou.
- Develop operating guidelines for commercial boat traffic and operations to help insure the safety of recreational boaters and protect residential properties on Cedar Bayou.
- Aid in the development of guidelines and protocols for the rapid response to spills, releases, and other accidents that may occur on Cedar Bayou by industry, municipalities, and individuals.
Friends of Cedar Bayou United began a campaign in September 2007 to prevent the construction of a proposed barge terminal and repair facility, planned to be built directly across from Baytown's oldest and most widely used city parks, Roseland Park.
Friends of Cedar Bayou United will continue efforts to raise awareness as to the detrimental and adverse effects this development will have on Cedar Bayou's water quality, natural habitat, marine life, cultural resources, archaeological sites, and recreational activities. The Friends of Cedar Bayou United will work with city officials, governmental, and environmental agencies to stop any further barge or container development from being permitted or constructed on Cedar Bayou until public hearings can be held.