H-GAC Community and Environmental Update- MAY 2006

Manager's Welcome
This is the May 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
Requesting Applications: FY07 Solid Waste Implementation Grants
2006 Environmental Summit
Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review - Report Available
Texas Emission Reduction Plan - Grants Available
Urban Forestry Summit
May is American Wetlands Month
Exploring Growth Alternatives: A Series of Community Forums
EE & Diversity Facilitator Workshop - Applications Available

H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Plan for the Greater Galveston Area
FY07 Solid Waste Implementation Grant Application Workshop
Storm Debris: Preparing for Hurricane Season
Clean Rivers Program Regional Monitoring Workgroup
Environmental Enforcement Roundtable
Recycling 202

IN THIS ISSUE
Requesting Applications: FY07 Solid Waste Implementation Grants
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is requesting applications for FY2007 Solid Waste Implementation Grants. The due date for applications is 3:00 pm, Tuesday, May 30, 2006. There will be a Grant Application Workshop on Monday, May 15th at 1:30 pm. The workshop will be held at the H-GAC offices on the second floor in Conference Room A. Please RSVP to Kelly Doyle if you plan to attend. Grant applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the Grant Application Workshop. The application packet materials can be downloaded from our web site at www.h-gac.com/2007swgrants.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to obtain a hard copy of the application packet, you may contact the Solid Waste staff:
Kelly Doyle, Environmental Planner, 713-993-4566, kdoyle@h-gac.com
Amy Boyers, Senior Environmental Planner, 713-993-2441, aboyers@h-gac.com
Cheryl Mergo, Solid Waste Program Manager, 713-993-4520, cmergo@h-gac.com
Gabi De la Rosa, Public Information Planner, 713-993-4568, gdelarosa@h-gac.com
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2006 Environmental Summit
The City of Houston, along with co-sponsor Keep Houston Beautiful will be hosting the 2006 Environmental Summit on Thursday, June 1st at the Marriott Westchase.The goal/theme of the Summit promotes Mayor White's environmental plan and vision for Houston and states, "Make Houston a Model Environmental City". We envision the Summit as a vehicle to develop a baseline to address the many environmental issues facing the Houston area, as well as a vehicle to bring together those environmental "shareholders" to address these key issues.

There will be General Sessions in the morning from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The noon luncheon will be highlighted by Mayor Bill White presenting Environmental Excellence Awards to worthy recipients, along with a "Recycled Fashion Show" coordinated by Houston Community College. From 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm there will be concurrent sessions covering the areas of Energy Issues, Sustainable Development, Pollution Reduction and Community Involvement. There will also be an exhibit area for companies and groups to disseminate information.

Please come out and join us. A seat at the luncheon is $30 and allows entry into the General and Concurrent Sessions. Companies and groups can also become Sponsors at various levels of participation. Additionally, we encourage you to participate by nominating your hard-working employees who work in the environmental arena for award consideration. For more information and to obtain general information about the Summit contact Gary Readore (713-837-9137; gary.readore@cityofhouston.net) or Ed Zilton (713-837-9139; Edward.zilton@cityofhouston.net). For information about the Environmental Excellence Awards contact Marilyn Leday (713-837-9138; marilyn.leday@cityofhouston.net).
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Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review: Report Available
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MSW Section is happy to announce the publication of the annual summary report entitled MSW in Texas: A Year in Review containing data from Fiscal Year 2004. Hard copies of the report can order through the TCEQ Communications web page at http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/search_pubs.html by searching for publication number 187. Also, soft copies in PDF format can be downloaded free of charge from the site.
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Texas Emission Reduction Plan - Grants Available
Please visit the Texas Emission Reduction Plan web page to find information about the newest grants available for the Houston, Beaumont, and Dallas/Ft. Worth nonattainment areas.http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/communication/media/06-03TerpGrants.html
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Urban Forestry Summit
H-GAC is teaming with the Texas Forest Service and the Houston Advanced Research Center to host Urban Forestry Summit 2006. A one-day workshop for Community Leaders, Municipal Officials, Public Works, Parks, and Planning Staff, Home Owner and Neighborhood Association Members, Residential and Commercial Developers, and Concerned Citizens. The Summit will be held at the Houston Arboretum on May 11, 2006. The workshop fee of $25 covers lunch.

Building on the success of last year's summit, we will have national and local experts addressing Urban Forestry issues that affect urban, suburban and rural areas. This is a great opportunity for municipal officials, planning and parks staff, community leaders, and concerned citizens to learn more about the important urban forestry topics, including: Measuring the Economic Benefit of Trees • Incorporating Trees into Flood Control Structures • Preserving Trees during Residential and Commercial Development • The Role of Trees in Quality of Life Initiatives • The Importance of Tree Inventories • Developing an Effective Tree Ordinance • Funding Tree Planting Projects.

Please RSVP by May 5th to Sandra McKnight at 713.993.2461 or sandra.mcknight@h-gac.com. For more information on the Urban Forestry Summit, visit us on the web at http://www.houstonregionalforest.org/Events/Summit2006 or contact Chuck Wemple at 713.993.4514 or cwemple@h-gac.com .
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May is American Wetlands Month
During the month of May, the nation will celebrate American Wetlands Month, focusing on the economic benefits that wetlands provide. EPA is joining with other federal, state and local agencies and private partners to recognize the ways that wetlands enrich the environment and society. Events are scheduled all across the country to educate and involve Americans in better understanding the importance of one of Earth's most valuable and fragile ecosystems. For more information, click on the following URL: http://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=1045
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Exploring Growth Alternatives: A Series of Community Forums
As part of Envision Houston Region, you are invited to participate in one of a series of community forums this May. The forums will continue the discussion on the unprecedented growth facing our region and explore possible strategies to sensibly plan for our future. A panel of experts from throughout our region will be on hand to examine traditional growth trends, give insight into possible alternative strategies and share how these strategies could transform our communities in the future. Visit www.envisionhoustonregion.org/ for more information.
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EE & Diversity Facilitator Workshop
The Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) is accepting applications for its Environmental Education and Diversity Facilitator Workshop. The workshop introduces participants to the methods and strategies needed to facilitate diversity workshops for environmental educators working in formal and nonformal settings. This is an excellent professional development opportunity for environmental educators/professionals and change agents and in others in related fields such as environmental education, justice, health and sustainable development with a strong commitment to making their organizations and programs more inclusive.

The 5-day training is scheduled for June 21-25, 2000 in Austin, Texas. EETAP will cover most workshop expenses. Applicants should have a strong commitment to diversity and previous facilitation experience. For more details, a self-assessment questionnaire (that will help you determine if you have the qualities needed to facilitate diversity workshops), and application please contact Sharon Buzza by email sbuzza@uwsp.edu. Put the following words in the subject line of your message: Request for EE and Diversity Facilitator Workshop Information.EETAP will accept applications through May 12, 2006.

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H-GAC MEETING NOTICES
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Plan for the Greater Galveston Area
Monday, May 1, 2006
6-8 p.m.Ball High School Room 1072
(Use Clock Tower Entrance)
4115 Avenue O
Galveston, Texas 77550

You are invited to attend a special briefing and workshop conducted by the City of Galveston and Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to discuss your concerns and ideas for a Pedestrian and Bicyclist Plan for the greater Galveston area.
H-GAC conducted a study to identify districts where there were significant opportunities to replace vehicle trips with pedestrian or bicycle trips and to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Out of the thousands of districts identified in the 8-county region studied, Galveston was found to be one of the top districts in need of improvements.

The special workshop will be held on Monday, May 1, 2006 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Galveston ISD Administration Building Board Room located at 3904 Avenue T, Galveston, Texas 77550.You are also invited to attend the public workshops. The same information will be presented at both workshops. Please inform and encourage your employees, colleagues, neighbors and friends to attend the workshops, which will be held:

Monday, May 1, 2006
6-8 p.m.
Ball High School Room 1072
(Use Clock Tower Entrance)
4115 Avenue O
Galveston, Texas 77550

Wednesday, May 3, 2006
6-8 p.m.
San Jacinto Elementary Cafeteria
1110 Moody (21st Street)
Galveston, Texas 77550

If you would like more information about the project, you can visit www.walkbikegalveston.org or contact Dan Raine, AICP, H-GAC's Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator, at 832-681-2525 or dan.raine@h-gac.com.
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FY07 Solid Waste Implementation Grant Application Workshop
May 15, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Contact Kelly Doyle kdoyle@h-gac.com or 713-993-4566 for more information.
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Storm Debris: Preparing for Hurricane Season
May 17, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Contact Kelly Doyle 3:30 pm
RSVP to Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com.
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Environmental Enforcement Roundtable
May 25, 2006
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Contact Amy Boyers at 713-993-2441 or aboyers@h-gac.com for more information.
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Recycling 202
May 31, 2006
Morning Session: Public Education and Recycling 8 am to 11:30 pm
Lunch - Please let us know if you will be joining us for lunch.
Afternoon Session:Drop-Off Recycling Collection and Processing 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
H-GAC Conference Room A
3555 Timmons, Houston, TX 77027
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact Kelly Doyle at 713-993-4566 or kdoyle@h-gac.com for more information.
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