H-GAC Community and Environmental Update- FEB 2005

Manager's Welcome
This is the February 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 the current and past editions of the e-newsletter, please visit:
www.h-gac.com/CEeNewsletter

Please click on the links below to view information regarding each topic.

IN THIS ISSUE
Environmental Circuit Rider Program (ECRP)
APA Houston Section Gives Planning Awards to Local Communities 
2004/2005 Houston/Regional Recycling and Conservation Guide
EPA Launches New Spanish Web Site
eBay creates Web Site to Facilitate E-Waste Recycling
Office Depot Offers Free Recycling of Cell Phones, Batteries
EPA Helps Local Governments Use Tools to Address Environmental Challenges
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trail Grants
Grant Funding Available for Community-Based Wetland, Riparian, and Coastal Habitat Restoration
Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants

H-GAC MEETING NOTICES 
Clean Rivers Regional Monitoring Workgroup
Dioxin TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
Clean Rivers Program Technical Advisory Group
Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)
Storm Debris Workshop

OTHER MEETING NOTICES 
Texas Country Cleanup
Climate Change, Extreme Events, and Coastal Cities
Bellaire Flood Management Workshop
Workshop for Planning Commissioners, Elected Officials, and Staff
River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash
Debris Management Course: Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Forum

IN THIS ISSUE
Environmental Circuit Rider Program (ECRP)
H-GAC's Solid Waste Management Program invites county judges and commissioners, county and district attorneys, justices of the peace, county court at law judges, district court judges, county constables, sheriffs, and code enforcement officers to participate in an environmental education program developed for the needs of these elected county officials and code enforcement officers. County Court At Law Judges, District Court Judges, Attorneys, Peace Officers, and Code enforcement officers will receive continuing education credits.
 
The program is one component of the Environmental Circuit Rider Project (ECRP) which H-GAC has developed to address the environmental needs of county governments within its 13-county region. Over the next few years, H-GAC will be implementing the various ECRP components which were designed to educate and assist counties with environmental education, enforcement, prosecution, cleanup and funding.  To RSVP and for more information, please contact Michelle Belco at (713) 980-6663.  

February 18 - Austin County Courthouse Basement Meeting Room, One East Main, Bellville, TX, 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
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APA Houston Section Gives Planning Awards to Local Communities 
The Houston Section of the American Planning Association (APA) has presented its 2004 awards for outstanding local planning to four cities in the H-GAC region.  The award winners are:

Development in Context City of Sugar Land: Sugar Land Town Square
Five city-administered governmental entities were used to create a new "downtown" and strengthen the development of the City's business corridor including Sugar.  The 32-acre mix-use development creates a community center and a downtown business district for Sugar Land.

Enhancing Pubic Spaces City of Rosenberg  Rosenberg Parks & Recreation Master Plan
This plan provides community leaders with an overall vision, priorities, and specific projects, including a parkland dedication ordinance that will allow the community to expand and improve its parks to meet the demands of an increasing population. A 15-point quantitative condition assessment to evaluate the integrity of each park and equipment standards were also created as part of this process. 

Strategic Planning Effort City of Baytown Baytown Downtown Master Plan Area One
This plan sets forth an overall vision of Downtown Baytown and addresses issues such as aging infrastructure and lack of market, enabling the City, property owners and citizens to make informed decision about future development.  The phased plan establishes a framework for enhancing, integrating and growing the necessary systems to ensure a vital community for both public and private opportunities. 

Adaptive Re-Use/Historic Preservation City of Pasadena Sunrise Meadows Subdivision This redevelopment project transitions a 9+ acre "brownfield" into a 50-lot "neo-traditional," single family subdivision that provides quality, affordable housing and will be a model for developers to replicate in the Houston region. The projects density, lot size, alley loaded design, setbacks, front porch space, and open space was a first for this community, which is mostly characterized by lower density suburban development.
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2004/2005 Houston/Regional Recycling and Conservation Guide 
In partnership with the City of Houston, H-GAC has developed the 2004/2005 Houston/Regional Recycling and Conservation Guide. This twenty-four page Guide lists regional recycling locations and provides information on various environmental topics. The Guide was distributed in the Sunday, December 12th, edition of the Houston Chronicle, and will also be distributed through local governments, non-profit organizations, and retail outlets. In addition, the Guide is now available online through the H-GAC website at: /HGAC/Programs/Solid+Waste/Whats_New.htm.
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EPA Launches New Spanish Web Site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new consolidated Spanish Web site as part of its ongoing effort to provide environmental information both in Spanish and English.

The new site compiles EPA's Spanish language materials on a wide variety of areas from lead poisoning prevention to controlling asthma triggers, recycling to proper management of pesticides.  The site was developed through a series of focus groups to respond to the environmental needs and interests of Hispanics.

In addition to environmental health information, the site also offers educational resources for students and teachers who often seek Spanish language learning tools on the environment.  The site also provides information about EPA grants, small business opportunities, and environmental jobs at EPA.

To view EPA's Spanish site, visit:  http://www.epa.gov/espanol
Contact:  Lina Younes 202-564-9924 / younes.lina@epa.gov
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eBay creates Web Site to Facilitate E-Waste Recycling
eBay unveiled an electronics reuse and recycling initiative Jan. 6 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The centerpiece of the initiative, which eBay has dubbed Rethink, is a Web site that explains to consumers and businesses how to properly get rid of old electronic equipment. The site promotes reuse and recycling and facilitates the selling and donation of computers. The site's address is www.ebay.com/rethink. The initiative provides information on third-party companies that can pick up computer systems and peripherals and sell them on behalf of the owners. Another directory helps businesses find a local asset recovery specialist to handle the disposition of multiple computer systems. Visitors to the site can donate working computers to the National Cristina Foundation, a nonprofit group that provides used computer equipment to schools, charities and other agencies committed to training people with disabilities, students at risk and the economically disadvantaged. The Rethink Initiative coordinates recycling and reuse efforts by electronics companies including Intel Corp., Apple Computer Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp. and Ingram Micro Inc., a Santa Ana, CA. Internet technology distributor. Other participants include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, United Parcel Service of America Inc. and the U.S. Postal Service. 
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Office Depot Offers Free Recycling of Cell Phones, Batteries
Office Depot Inc. has started recycling wireless phones and rechargeable batteries free of charge at all of its North American locations. The Delray Beach, FL.-based office supply company has partnered with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. to provide the service to consumers. Office Depot will collect the phones and batteries at its 960 U.S. and Canadian stores. Americans will be using about 200 million wireless phones by 2005 and retiring about 130 million per year, according to Inform Inc., an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and human health. Inform Inc. estimates that 500 million used phones are stockpiled and awaiting disposal. The company will accept rechargeable batteries used in various portable electronic devices. The type of batteries includes nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and small sealed lead rechargeable batteries weighing less than 2 pounds.
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EPA Helps Local Government Use Tools to Address Environmental Challenges
Environmental management systems (EMS) are a well established tool to help local governments prevent pollution, operate more efficiently and improve environmental performance within their communities.  Since 1997, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has helped local entities establish EMS that include effective environmental policies and measurable goals for reducing impacts on the environment.  Mayor Douglas Palmer of Trenton, N.J., who co-chairs the National Conference of Mayor Urban Watershed Council said, "Introducing EMS as a tool reduces costs and improves government efficiency in addition to preserving environmental quality, making it a 'must do' for mayors and their staff and programs."

The agency has been working with local governments and others to help understand the benefits of an EMS and assist those that choose to put one in place.  EPA in cooperation with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation has worked with more than 30 local governments around the country to reduce operating costs, improve their compliance and significantly reduce environmental impacts in the community.  In the first year of implementing an EMS, the city of San Diego's Solid Waste Division was able to reduce air emissions from heavy equipment more than $800,000.

EPA is also leading a program to work with non-profit organizations, called EMS Local Resource Centers,  to help increase the number of local governments that adopt EMS.  These centers provide a range of services to local governments including education, training, workshops and guidance.  There are 11 local resource centers around the country, including four new centers recently designated by EPA.  These newly designated centers are located at the University of Missouri-Rolla, Kansas State University, the University of Colorado, and EcoVenture in Oakland, CA.  Each of these local resource centers is playing an important national leadership role by helping local governments operate in a more environmentally and economically sound manner and provides more efficient services for taxpayers in their communities.  Information about EMS and the new centers is available at: http://www.peercenter.neto/.  
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trail Grants 
The new Recreation Trail Grant application is now online.    This federally funded program receives its budget from a portion of federal gasoline taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. Eligible projects include construction of new recreation trails on public or private lands, trail restoration or rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, acquisition of easements, acquisition of property, maintenance of existing trails, environmental mitigation, and the development of trail-side and trail-head facilities (signs, restrooms, parking areas, water fountains, horse-watering facilities, corrals, hitching posts, tool storage, bike racks, benches, picnic tables, and fencing). The deadline for this program is June 1st of each year. Grant funding for this program is a on a cost reimbursement basis.  Further information is available at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/grants/trails/files/trails_app_dec_2004.doc.
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Grant Funding Available for Community-Based Wetland, Riparian, and Coastal Habitat Restoration
The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Community-Based Restoration Program within National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries are pleased to solicit applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The Five-Star Restoration Program provides modest financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Applications are due March 1, 2005. For more information, please visit http://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=858.  
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Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants 
A Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants (AWPPG) is posted on the OWOW funding Website http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html.  Proposals are due no later than 11:59 p.m. February 16, 2005 to awppg@epa.gov.  The goals of this program include supporting a watershed approach to better address water quality problems in the U.S. and building the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for watershed protection, restoration, and management.  These are tied into goals two and four (clean and safe water) of the EPA Strategic Plan (http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/plan.htm), including restoring and maintaining watersheds and their aquatic ecosystems and oceans in order to protect human health, supporting economic and recreational activities, and providing healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.  States and local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, territories and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, interstate associations or intertribal consortia, public or private nonprofit, nongovernmental institutions and individuals are eligible to apply.  This RFP describes the grant selection and award process for eligible applicants interested in applying for FY 2005 AWPPGs.
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H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Clean Rivers Regional Monitoring Workgroup
February 1, 2005
10:00 am to noon
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2nd Floor, Room C

For more information, please contact Jean Wright at 713-499-6660 or via email at jean.wright@h-gac.com.
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Dioxin TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
February 2, 2005
1:0 pm to 4:00 pm
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2nd Floor, Room A

There will be a presentation of project status and a discussion of "where we go from here".  For more information, please contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or via email at carl.masterson@h-gac.com.
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Clean Rivers Program Technical Advisory Group
February 2, 2005
1:30 pm to 3:30pm
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2nd Floor, Room B

For more information, please contact Todd Running at 713-993-4549 or via email at todd.running@h-gac.com.
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Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)
February 3, 2005
1:30 pm to 3:30pm
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2nd Floor, Room A

There will be presentations on freshwater inflow to bays and estuaries and instream/environmental flows.  Presenters include Mr. Jeff Taylor, City of Houston, Dr. Norman Johns, National Wildlife Federation and a representative of the Texas Water Development Board, the state agency responsible for water planning.  For more information, please contact Carl Masterson at 713-993-4561 or via email at carl.masterson@h-gac.com.
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Storm Debris Workshop
February 23, 3005
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
H-GAC, 3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
2nd Floor, Room A

Cost: Free!

Topics include:
-Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications for Storm Debris Planning,
-Role of Division of Emergency Management (DEM) in Storm Debris Planning and Management
- Overview of Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan,
-H-GAC Regional Storm Debris Management Assessment with Emphasis on Storm Debris Planning within the Region,
- Case Study: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Audit

For more information, please contact Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or via email at kelly.doyle@h-gac.com.
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Climate Change, Extreme Events, and Coastal Cities 
This conference will be held February 9, 2005, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (coffee at 7:30), at the Shell Auditorium at the Jesse H. Jones School of Management at Rice University.  It is jointly presented by Environmental & Energy Systems Institute's Shell Center for Sustainability (Rice University), Universities in London (led by University College London), UK Science & Technology Network, and The British Consulate-General, Houston.  The conference will assemble academic, business, governmental, and non-governmental organizations to discuss the causes of climate change and its impact on coastal cities, specifically Houston and London, and identify critical research and practical issues needed to mitigate climate change.   Speakers will include Houston Mayor Bill White, Lord Julian Hunt, University College London, Dr. Tim Killeen, Director, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Dr. Geoff Jenkins, Chief Coordinator, Hadley Centre, UK Meteorological Office, and others.

The conference is open and to the public at no charge, but advance registration is required by February 4th (go to www.regonline.com/19890).  Parking is available in the basement of the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management (#65 on the map found at http://www.rice.edu/maps/buildings.html). Rice University can be entered from a number of different points. To reach the Jones School, you should enter at Entrance # 8 (University Blvd and Stockton) or Entrance #13 (Rice and Kent). 
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Bellaire Flood Management 
On February 26, 2005 a flood management workshop entitled "Flood Control Begins at Home" will be held at the City of Bellaire Community Center from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  Topics include principles of flood management that you can do at home such as water conscious landscaping, how to minimize runoff and maximize water absorption and transpiration, and how to create a rain garden in flood prone areas of your landscape. The workshop will be held at the Bellaire Civic Center. It is free of charge and open to the public. For additional information please contact Carl Masterson at 713.993.4561 or carl.masterson@h-gac.com. 
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Workshop for Planning Commissioners, Elected Officials, and Staff 
This popular annual workshop, put on by the Texas Chapter of American Planning Association (APA), will take place on Friday, March 11, 2005 in H-GAC's 2nd Floor Conference Room A (3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, 77027), from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.).  The workshop is geared towards planning commissioners, elected officials, and city planning staff. The workshop presenters include top planning professionals from the public and private sectors.  Topics to be covered include Texas Planning: What You Need to Know in 2005; Being An Effective and Ethical Planning Commissioner; Learn By Doing – An Exercise in Decision Making; Undertaking Planning in Communities With a  Limited Staff; Planning in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ); Legislative Action and Court Decisions Impact on Planning.  Attendees will also have an opportunity to discuss the "hot topics" in their community with the expert presenters.  The registration fee is $75 and includes a box lunch.  For more information, contact Naina Magon, Wilbur Smith Associates, at (713) 785-0080 or nmagon@wilbursmith.com. 
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River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash 
Once a year thousands of Trash Bash® volunteers gather along the waterways of our region to do their part in cleaning up the environment.  Last year 4,451 volunteers picked up 75 tons of trash and 551 tires within the Galveston Bay watershed. The dedicated team of volunteers, local and state agencies, citizens' groups, local businesses and industry have made the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash® a success since 1994.  Trash Bash® is regionally coordinated through the H-GAC Solid Waste program and won the Governor's Environmental Excellence award in 2004.  To learn more about Trash Bash – and to become a volunteer – visit http://www.trashbash.org/.  For additional information, please contact Chuck Wemple at 713-993-4514 or cwemple@h-gac.com. 
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Debris Management Course: Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) 
April 4-8, 2005
American Red Cross Headquarters, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX
Cost:   There is no cost to attend GDEM sponsored courses.
Course Length:  Thirty-Six hours (36) (17 slots available)

Target Audience: This course is designed to provide local officials who may have to manage debris removal and disposal in the aftermath of a tornado, flood, or hurricane with the knowledge and skills to do so. The course covers staff development, pre-disaster planning, local response and recovery actions, contracting procedures, selecting and operating a temporary debris storage site, volume reduction methods, environmental regulations, and dealing with special debris situations.  For more information contact Trista Curwick, GDEM Training Registrar @ (512) 424-2196 or email: demtraining@txdps.state.tx.us.  Our website is:  www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem. 
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Forum 
On April 5, 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a Flood Forum in the Houston area. A location has yet to be determined, but should be available for the March newsletter. The one-day forum will focus on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reform Act and will feature a number of breakout sessions for insurance agents, Realtors, lenders, surveyors and community officials. 
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H-GAC Community and Environmental Update February2005
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