The Arroyo Colorado in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas drains 1,828 square kilometers of primarily agricultural land that is rapidly becoming urban.  The majority of water flow through the Arroyo Colorado is irrigation return flows, urban runoff, and wastewater treatment plant discharges.  The Arroyo passes through Laguna Atascosa NWR and then empties into the Lower Laguna Madre.  The Arroyo Colorado is listed as an impaired waterbody for low dissolved oxygen due to nitrogen compound concentrations that are among the highest in the state.  The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership, representing local, city, county, state, and federal agencies, concerned citizens, and business interests, has recently drafted a Watershed Action Protection Plan.  The plan proposes a variety of methods to reduce nutrient loads, such as, creating regional wetland systems, improving wastewater infrastucture, utilizing best management practices for agriculture, restoring natural habitat, and public education and outreach. The Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office staff participates on the Steering Committee and on working groups within the partnership.