H-GAC Community and Environmental Update
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
Consumer Reports Provides Online Info About Electronics Disposal
Texas Forest Service Offers Fire Hazard Reduction Grants
Westfield Wastewater Study
TxDOT Call for Proposals: Safe Routes to School
H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Buffalo & White Oak Bayous Bacteria TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
North American Hazardous Materials Management Association: Lone Star Chapter Meeting
Regional Recycling Roundtable: Household Hazardous Waste
Clear Creek Bacteria TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Dumping Enforcement by Dr. John Ockels
IN THIS ISSUE
Consumer Reports Provides Online Info About Electronics Disposal
Consumer Reports has launched an online tool on its environmental Web site with tips on how to keep electronics running longer and where to dispose of electronic waste.
The Electronics Reuse and Recycling Center at www.greenerchoices.org includes information on where to donate or sell electronics as well as manufacturers´ electronics recycling programs. It also advises consumers on how to recycle rechargeable batteries.
The Web site features a March 2006 nationwide online survey that asked people why they were replacing their electronic product and what they did with their old equipment.
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Texas Forest Service Offers Fire Hazard Reduction Grants in Hurricane Impacted Counties
Although Hurricane Rita and Katrina may be in the distant memories of some people, their trails of destruction and debris are still a reality for many communities in Southeast Texas. Dense timber and thick brush combined with the build up of hurricane litter and debris have created potential hazardous wildfire situations for the lives and properties located in these communities. With this situation in mind, Texas Forest Service is now offering Community Hurricane Fuels Reduction (CHFR) grants aimed at eliminating hurricane debris and reducing the wildfire threat to a community.
Eligible communities include local governments, non-profit organizations, and other tax-exempt organizations or groups. Grant funds may be used to contract a professional tree removal service, professional pruning, equipment rental, and to purchase materials as part of an educational program for community mitigation programs.
All grants approved for CHFR projects will be awarded at levels starting at $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000.
To apply for the grants or for questions on eligibility, contact Justice Jones, urban wildland interface coordinator at (936) 273-2261 or jjjones@tfs.tamu.edu.
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Westfield Wastewater Study
The results of a Houston-Galveston Area Council wastewater study in the Westfield area will be announced at a Town Hall meeting hosted by Harris County Precinct Two on Tuesday, February 13th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Northeast Community Center located at 10918-1/2 Bentley. The year long study looked at bacteria in surface water found in ditches along streets in Westfield and how septic systems may contribute to this problem and affect nearby Halls Bayou. Representatives from Harris County, the Houston-Galveston Area Council (who conducted the study), and the Galveston Bay Estuary Program will all be on hand to discuss the study and take questions from Westfield residents. For information about the meeting contact Kathleen Ramsey at (713) 499-6653 or kathleen.ramsey@h-gac.com
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TxDOT Call for Project Proposals: Safe Routes to School
The Texas Department of Transpiration has announced the 2007 Program Call for Project Proposals for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. The January 19, 2007 Texas Register notice contains program call specifics. The SRTS Program is a comprehensive program designed to improve the bicycle and pedestrian safety of school age children; encourage a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to work; and to facilitate projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The department must receive completed applications at the location specific in the register notice no later than 5:00 PM, Friday, May 25, 2007. Information regarding the program, program guide and application forms are available from http//www.dot.state.tx.us/services/traffic_operations/safe_routes-to-school/default.htm or by contacting the Traffic Operations Division of TxDOT at (512) 416-3118, or by E-mail at trftepgm@dot.state.tx.us. TxDOT-Houston district and H-GAC and will be hosting a Safe Routes to School presentation at H-GAC on March 12, 2007. If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact H-GAC's Jeff Kaufman at (832) 681-2533 or Jeff.Kaufman@H-GAC.com.
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H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Buffalo & White Oak Bayous Bacteria TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
February 8, 2007
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77027
4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
For more information contact Carl Masterson @ 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com
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North American Hazardous Materials Management Association: Lone Star Chapter Meeting
Thursday, February 15, 2007
10:30 am to 11:30 am
Reception Area Conference Room, 1st Floor
3555 Timmons
Houston, TX 77027
Please join regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) professionals and the Lone Star Chapter of NAHMMA for an organizational and planning meeting.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com., TX 77027
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Regional Recycling Roundtable: Household Hazardous Waste
February 15, 2007
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Conference Room A, 2nd Floor
3555 Timmons
Houston, TX 77027
The focus of this roundtable will be household hazardous waste (HHW) management. Responsible HHW management poses many challenges to individuals and communities.
Please join us as we discuss challenges and opportunities presented by HHW management, and share ideas and solutions. Meet representatives from regional local governments, private industry, citizen groups and others. The Roundtable agenda will include introduction of the Lone Star Chapter of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, overview of Lower Colorado River Authority HHW programs, update on a proposed HHW facility project in our region,discussion on pending HHW rulemaking at the TCEQ, and more.For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com.
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Clear Creek Bacteria TMDL Stakeholder Meeting
February 15, 2007
Friendswood Public Library
416 S Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281/482-7135
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
For more information contact Carl Masterson @ 713-993-4561 or cmasterson@h-gac.com
OTHER MEETING NOTICES
Dumping Enforcement Training by Dr. John Ockels
February 6, 2007
8 am – 5 pm
Conroe, TX
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