H-GAC COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE
Director's Welcome
This is the July 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
Keep Texas Beautiful Honors Communities with Awards
Renters Recycle More
Four States Pass E-Waste Laws in 2007
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality E-Waste Rules Meeting
H-GAC Extends Comment Period for Draft 2035 RTP
EPA Delivers First National Estuary Coastal Condition Report
How's the Water?
Is Bottled Water Better?
Save the Date for Bacteria in the Bayous
H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Contact Recreation UAA Group Meeting
H-GAC Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee
Buffalo/White Oak Bayous Bacteria TMDL Stakeholders Meeting
Regional Flood Management Council
Environmental Enforcement Roundtable
Regional Monitoring Workgroup
Solid Waste Management Committee
Smart Growth Initiative
Contact Recreation UAA Workgroup
Natural Resources Advisory Committee
Regional Recycling Roundtable
Recycling Efficiency Case Studies
IN THIS ISSUE
Keep Texas Beautiful Honors Communities with Awards
The efforts of nine cities to involve their citizens, businesses, schools, local government and youth in keeping their communities beautiful will earn them a share of $1 million in prize money for roadway landscaping. These funds are being awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation for first place winners of the 2005-2006 Governor's Community Achievement Awards. First-place winners in the H-GAC region include Katy, Dickinson, Lake Jackson, and Pearland. For a list of all winners visit: http://www.ktb.org/awards/gcaawinners.htm.
The awards are presented to communities in nine population categories that have the best grassroots volunteer environmental programs in the state. The prizes are designated for landscaping along state-maintained highways in their communities. Community representatives will receive their plaques and grant money at the annual Keep Texas Beautiful conference in San Antonio in July. For more information on the conference and Governor's Community Achievement Awards visit Keep Texas Beautiful online at http://www.ktb.org/.
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Renters Recycle More
According to an Apartments.com survey, 63.1 percent of renters recycle regularly. In contrast, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2005 numbers show that nationally, residents diverted only 32.1 percent of the generated waste stream. The survey of 522 renters also shows that the high recycling rate is achieved in spite of survey respondents saying that only 35.4 percent of landlords supply recycling bins or receptacles. This may represent an opportunity for new programs focused on recycling for multi-family dwellings. The full survey is available by emailing Lisa DeVries at ldevries@Apartments.com.
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Four States Pass E-Waste Laws in 2007
Texas is one of four states that have passed laws mandating recycling of electronic waste products so far in 2007. This doubles the number of states with such legislation from four to eight. In addition to Texas, bills in Minnesota and Oregon have been signed into law, and the Connecticut bill awaits the Governor's signature.
The Texas Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2714 which was signed by Governor Rick Perry on June 15, 2007. Known as the Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Computer Equipment Collection and Recovery Act, the system will require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to establish a comprehensive collection and recycling program for end-of-life electronics equipment, including desktop and laptop computers, and computer monitors. To see the full bill text go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB02714F.htm.
Texas House Bill 2714, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen is based on model bill language from Dell Inc. of Round Rock, Texas, and applies to computer equipment but not to televisions. The bill requires computer manufacturers selling in the state to establish free and convenient programs to collect and recycle their own brand of desktops, laptops and monitors sold to consumers. The law will commence September 1, 2007, however, enforcement will not begin until 1, 2008.
For more information about e-waste visit http://www.e-takeback.org/docs%20open/Toolkit_Legislators/Background%20Issue/Background_main.htm
or http://earth911.org/electronics/.
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality E-Waste Rules Meeting
The rule-making team lead for the implementation of HB 2714 has scheduled a meeting to seek input on the draft of the e-waste recycling rules.
Friday, July 13, 2007, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Room 2210, Bldg. F
TCEQ Central Office
12015 Park 35 Circle
Austin, Texas 78753
For more information about the meeting contact Mike Lindner, Recycling/Green Purchasing Specialist for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, at 512-239-3045 or mlindner@tceq.state.tx.us.
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H-GAC Extends Comment Period for Draft 2035 RTP
H-GAC is extending the public comment period for the Draft 2035 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The 2035 RTP is the long-range transportation vision and plan for the Houston-Galveston region and serves as the blueprint that will guide the development of our transportation system through the next 30 years. The RTP identifies long-range transportation needs and strategies, prioritizes programs and projects, and provides a forum for dialogue and regional problem solving.
As you read through the Draft 2035 RTP pay special attention to two initiatives: the new Livable Centers program and the enhanced environmental component. The Livable Centers program provides funding and support for Livable Centers implementation and study projects and begins to implement the 3C's concepts of Centers, Connectivity, and Context Sensitive Solutions. The enhanced environmental component of the 2035 RTP takes a pro-active approach to the environment through an increased focus on protection of natural resources and environmental stewardship.
The 30 day public comment period which began on June 1, 2007 has been extended until Monday July 16, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. The extension is based on a request by a number of individuals and agencies after a series of five public meetings on the Draft 2035 RTP. The Draft 2035 RTP is available at http://www.2035plan.org/. A comment form is available on the 2035plan.org site. Please provide your comments through this form.
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EPA Delivers First National Estuary Coastal Condition Report
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its first National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report, which ranks the condition of ecological resources in the 28 estuaries of EPA's National Estuary Program (NEP). This report serves as a foundation for EPA's efforts to protect, manage and restore coastal ecosystems.
In the United States, estuaries provide habitat for more than 75 percent of America's commercial fish catch. Estuarine-dependent fisheries are among the most valuable, with an estimated worth of more than $1.9 billion nationwide. Coastal recreation and tourism generate an additional $8 to $12 billion annually.
To view the entire NEP Coastal Condition Report online go to http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/index.html.
To link directly to the Galveston Bay Estuary report visit http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/pdf/nepccr_gom_partg.pdf.
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How's the Water?
H-GAC Clean River Program's 2007 Basin Highlights Report is designed to answer that question for the waterways in the H-GAC region. The report was delivered last week and is now available for public distribution. This publication gives a brief synopsis of the quality of area waterways and outlines programs designed to protect them. To view the report online click here (PDF).
To order multiple copies of the report email Todd Running at todd.running@h-gac.com or call 713-993-4549.
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Is Bottled Water Better?
Staying hydrated is a necessary part of combating soaring temperatures during the Gulf-Coast summer. While water is the liquid of choice for most health-conscious individuals, these days one must decide what KIND of water. Bottled water has increased in popularity due to its convenience and taste, but is it any better for you than tap water? The reality is that tap water is actually held to more stringent quality standards than bottled water, and some brands of bottled water are just tap water in disguise. What's more, our increasing consumption of bottled water—more than 22 gallons per U.S. citizen in 2004 according to the Earth Policy Institute—fuels an industry that is making a significant impact on the environment. Learn more about this issue from the Union of Concerned Scientists at: http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/.
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Save the Date for Bacteria in the Bayous
The Bayou Preservation Association's fall conference will be October 15-16 at University of St. Thomas. The conference will explore the technical and policy issues surrounding the bacterial TMDL process. Many bayous in the Houston area have levels of bacterial that are too high for safe swimming and contact recreation. This has led to a water quality restoration process that seeks to understand how much bacteria enters or regenerates in our bayous, the sources of bacteria, the types of bacteria and their relative physiological effects on humans and wildlife, and how bacteria loads can be reduced. This process requires the development and implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), which could result in higher costs for wastewater treatment and storm water management. For more information, contact the Bayou Preservation Association at (713) 529-6443.
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H-GAC MEETING NOTICES:
Meetings are held at H-GAC conference rooms A, B, or C
3555 Timmons, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77027
For directions please click here: MAP.
July 11
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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July 12
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
H-GAC Pedestrian-Bicyclist Subcommittee -- Room B
For more information contact Dan Raine at dan.raine@h-gac.com or 832-499-6653.
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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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July 18
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Regional Flood Management Council -- Room A
For more information contact Carl Masterson at carl.masterson@h-gac.com or 713-993-4561.
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July 19
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Environmental Enforcement Roundtable -- Room A
Topic: Auto Paint and Body Shops
For more information contact Amy Boyers at amy.boyers@h-gac.com or 713-993-2441.
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July 24
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Regional Monitoring Workgroup -- Room C
For more information contact Jean Wright at jean.wright@h-gac.com or 713-499-6660.
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July 25
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Solid Waste Management Committee -- Room A
For more information contact Cheryl Mergo at cheryl.mergo@h-gac.com or 713-993-4520.
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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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July 31
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact Recreation UAA Workgroup -- Room C
For more information contact Todd Running at todd.running@h-gac.com or 713-993-4549.
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August 2
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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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.
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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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