Director's Welcome
This is the August 2007 issue of the Houston-Galveston Area Council's (H-GAC's) Community and Environmental Planning (C&E) E-newsletter. We hope this monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on the wide variety of community planning, economic development and environmental planning programs going on at H-GAC. We want this information to be useful and are very interested in your feedback! If you have any questions about any of our programs, please feel free to contact me at 713-993-4560 or Jeff.Taebel@h-gac.com. To unsubscribe, add another subscriber or offer any comments on the e-newsletter, please e-mail cep_news@h-gac.com. To view past editions of the e-newsletter visit:
www.h-gac.com/CEeNewsletter Please click on the links below to view information regarding each topic.
IN THIS ISSUE
Astros and Texans Team Up to Promote Recycling
Award Winning Publication from H-GAC
AustinCountyVision and Strategic Plan
Galveston Bay Education and Outreach Grant Program
Partnership Grants Available for Projects in Houston/Galveston Area
Matching Grants Deadline August 31, 2007
Regional Recycling Roundtable
Recycling Efficiency Case Studies Workshop
Save the Date: Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility Training Course
Context Sensitive Solutions Workshop
Survey: Health Concerns Top Green Home Buyers´ Minds
H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting
Natural Resources Advisory Committee
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting
Smart Growth Initiative
Regional Recycling Roundtable
Buffalo/White Oak Bayous Bacteria TMDL Stakeholders Meeting
Smart Growth Initiative
Recycling Efficiency Case Studies
TCEQ Water Quality Implementation Projects Application Workshop
H-GAC Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee
Contact Sensitive Solutions Workshop
Environmental Awareness Roundtable
IN THIS ISSUE Astros and Texans Team Up to Promote Recycling
The Astros have teamed up with Waste Management to promote recycling in Houston. Together with Aramark Facility Services, 125 new recycling containers have been placed around the park. Read the press release here.
Not to be outdone, the Houston Texans announced a new initiative with Waste Management, Aramark, and Recycle America that will allow fans to recycle during Texans home games at Reliant Stadium beginning in August.
The "I Care" campaign also encourages Texans employees to throw their recyclables into bins, including the cardboard delivered to Reliant Stadium. The team is looking to become a leader in a city-wide effort to recycle. On average each year, an office can use 50,000 soda cans and 20,000 water bottles. Last year, the Texans distributed approximately 850,000 plastic bottles during the season. The effort will be year-round with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo participating in the spring. Click here to read more about the Texans Recycling initiative.
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Award Winning Publication from H-GAC
We are very pleased to announce that the Recycling Alliance of Texas selected the Houston-Galveston Regional Recycling & Conservation Guide as the winner of the 2007 Linda B. Smith Memorial Award. This award will be presented at the 10th Annual Recycling Leadership Awards Brunch, Wednesday, August 22, 10:30 a.m., Dallas/Legacy Marriott at Legacy Town Center, Plano, Texas. Visit the Recycling Alliance website for more information on the Recycling and Sustainability Summit. To view or download a copy of the 2007 Recycling Guide visit www.h-gac.com/recycleguide.
Back to Top AustinCountyVision and Strategic Plan The Austin County Visioning process began in January 2007 with a public meeting attended by over 150 participants. Participants expressed their concerns and goals for the future growth and development of Austin County and displayed these concepts through a mapping exercise. The outcome of the visioning exercise is the Vision and Strategic Plan for Austin County. The final Vision and Strategic Plan for Austin County will be presented to the public Monday August 20th at 5:30 pm at the Austin County Fairgrounds. Please contact Meredith Dang at (713) 993-2443 or meredith.dang@h-gac.com for more information.
Back to Top Galveston Bay Education and Outreach Grant Program
The Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP) of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announces the opportunity for eligible entities to secure grant funding for up to two years to perform Galveston Bay education and outreach education efforts. GBEP expects to award, but does not guarantee, $100,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2008 federal funds to multiple grantees.
Eligible entities that may be interested in applying for a grant include: state agencies; colleges and universities; city and county governments; school districts; political subdivisions of the state (port authorities, river authorities, soil and water conservation districts, groundwater conservation districts); councils of governments and other regional authorities; and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Interested parties are encouraged to view the Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for complete specifications. The deadline for responding to this RFGA is September 6, 2007.
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Partnership Grants Available for Projects in Houston/Galveston Area The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requests proposals and applications for projects to implement "on-the ground" water quality improvement projects in the Houston/Galveston area under a federal/state partnership grant. Applicants should propose projects that have a high probability of achieving quantifiable improvements in water quality conditions.
Back to Top The due date for applications is October 23, 2007. The TCEQ will hold a public workshop for applicants at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices on September 6, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The TCEQ expects to award between $4 to $5 millionfor two to ten grant contracts that will be funded in federal fiscal years 2008 and 2009. To be eligible, projects must be implemented in one or more of the following counties: Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Brazoria, Liberty, Fort Bend, and Montgomery. Proposed projects should address impairments to water quality due to nonpoint source pollution; however, in very limited cases, point source pollution controls may be eligible for funding. Go to http://esbd.tbpc.state.tx.us/ for more details and to download and application package. Search the bid/procurement opportunities by agency name (TCEQ) and/or Requisition Number 582-7-80172. The title of the request is "The Houston/Galveston Area Water Quality Improvement Partnership Grants." Please direct questions to Joe McGill of TCEQ at jmcgill@tceq.state.tx.us and 512-239-1813.
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Matching Grants Deadline August 31, 2007
The Sam Houston Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)Council Board announces a matching grant program for worthy community and environmental projects in the 10 counties the Council serves: Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker and Wharton. Eight $500 grants will be awarded. Matching cash or in kind services are required and projects must provide public benefit and relate to land conservation, water management, economic development or community sustainability. Applications are due at the RC&D office by close of business on Friday, August 31, 2007. For additional information or to receive an electronic version of the application & related materials, contact Carl Masterson at (713) 993-4561 or carl.masterson@h-gac.com.
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Regional Recycling Roundtable Household Chemicals and Electronics August 16, 2007 1:30pm - 4:30pm H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, 77027 Topics include: - Update on Producer Responsibility/Ewaste legislation just passed in State of Texas and how it will affect local governments and citizen. - ï€ Information on upcoming household hazardous waste rule re-write - ï€ How to manage new compact fluorescent bulbs as they enter your community's waste stream - ï€ Choosing an electronics recycling vendor - Update on regional HHW permanent facility projects For more information or to RSVP please contact Kelly Freeman at 713-993-4566 or email kelly.freeman@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Recycling Efficiency Case Studies Workshop August 29, 2007 9:00am - 12:00pm H-GAC Conference Room A, 2nd Floor 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, TX 77027 Topics include: - ï€ What various cities across the region are doing regarding recycling, waste minimization, HHW, and E-waste collection - ï€ Implementation and operations tips for a variety of recycling program types based on the direct experiences of other cities within the region - Simple methodologies that will help you evaluate your own recycling program's performance - ï€ Options for addressing common recycling program issues such as education, data / record keeping, contract Issues Please RSVP by August 27th, 2007. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Kelly Freeman at 713-993-4566 or email kelly.freeman@h-gac.com.
Back to Top Save the Date: Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility Training Course September 17-18, 2007 This course has been developed for Engineers and Planners by the Association of Pedestrian-Bicyclist Professionals and the U.S. Access Board. For additional information, or to RSVP, please contact Dan Raine, AICP, H-GAC Pedestrian-Bicyclist Coordinator at dan.raine@h-gac.com or (832) 681-2525.
Back to Top Context Sensitive Solutions Workshop: Creating Livable Transportation
September 20, 2007 9:00am – 4:00pm
Greenspoint Marriott
Context Sensitive Solution (CSS) is an emerging concept that provides a flexible, responsive process for transportation planning. CSS is an inter-disciplinary process that tailors the design and implementation of a transportation project to fit its setting. Early and active involvement by a diverse range of stakeholders throughout the planning and project development process is a key component of CSS. A shared stakeholder vision forms the basis for decisions in the CSS process. CSS recognizes that transportation facilities have positive and negative impacts beyond their transportation function and are an integral component of a successful community. The CSS approach saves time and money by gaining consensus early in the planning process. The end result is a transportation facility that is compatible with the surrounding community. Interested in learning more? H-GAC will be hosting a CSS Workshop this fall Thursday September 20th, at the Greenspoint Marriott. Participants will hear from national experts on CSS, learn about local CSS projects, and participate in a CSS charrette! Please contact meredith.dang@h-gac.com for more information.
Back to Top Survey: Health Concerns Top Green Home Buyers´ Minds
From WasteNews.com
A new survey finds that people are more motivated by the health benefits than energy savings or benefit to the environment when considering a green home.
Building Green TV and Robert Charles Lesser & Co., a real estate advisory firm, conducted an Internet survey of 1,011 respondents that showed as many as 42 percent of buyers would be motivated to buy a green home for the health benefits. That compares with 17 percent motivated by energy savings and 12 percent motivated by the environment, the companies said. "The industry has assumed that buyers would be motivated by the same energy cost-saving benefits that drive demand in the commercial sector," said Shyam Kannan, vice president and director of research and development for RCLCO.
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H-GAC MEETING NOTICES:
Unless otherwise specified, all meetings are held at H-GAC conference rooms A, B, or C
3555 Timmons, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77027
For directions please visit: /HGAC/About+H-GAC/Map_to_H-GAC.htm.
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August 1
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting -- Room B
For more information contact Todd Running at todd.running@h-gac.com or 713-993-4549.
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1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Natural Resources Advisory Committee -- Room A
For more information contact Carl Masterson at carl.masterson@h-gac.com or 713-993-4561.
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10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting -- Room C
For more information contact Todd Running at todd.running@h-gac.com or 713-993-4549.
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10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting -- Room B
For more information contact Todd Running at todd.running@h-gac.com or 713-993-4549.
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Smart Growth Initiative -- Room C
Fore more information contact Jeff Taebel at jeff.taebel@h-gac.com or 713-993-4560.
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August 16
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Regional Recycling Roundtable -- Room A
Topic: Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste
For more information contact Kelly Freeman at kelly.freeman@h-gac.com or 713-993-4566.
Back to Top August 21
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Buffalo/White Oak Bayous Bacteria TMDL Stakeholders Meeting --Room A
For more information contact Carl Masterson at carl.masterson@h-gac.com or 713-993-4561.
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Smart Growth Initiative -- Room C
Fore more information contact Jeff Taebel at jeff.taebel@h-gac.com or 713-993-4560.
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August 29
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Recycling Efficiency Case Studies -- Room A
For more information contact Kelly Freeman at kelly.freeman@h-gac.com or 713-993-4566.
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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
TCEQ Water Quality Implementation Projects Application Workshop -- Room A
For more information contact Carl Masterson at carl.masterson@h-gac.com or 713-993-4561.
Back to Top September 13
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
H-GAC Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee -- Room A
For more information contact Dan Raine at dan.raine@h-gac.com or 832-681-2525.
Back to Top September 20
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact Sensitive Solutions Workshop -- Greenspoint Marriott
For more information contact Meredith Dang at meredith.dang@h-gac.com or 713-993-2443.
Back to Top September 25
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Environmental Awareness Roundtable -- Room C
For more information contact Christy Corse at christy.corse@h-gac.com or 832-681-2564.
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