Regional Solid Waste Grants Program
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Download the FY 08 Grant Application Package
Download the FY 08 Grant Cycle Schedule
Download the FY 08 Funding Plan
Approximately $225,000.00
will be available for solid waste grants in FY 2008. Grant applications
for FY 2008 are due to the Rio Grande Council of Governments, 1100 N. Stanton
Street, Suite 610, El Paso, TX 79902, by
ELIGIBLE
RECIPIENTS
Only those local and
regional political subdivisions located within the State of Texas are eligible
to receive funding from the
• Cities
• Counties
• Public schools and school districts (excluding
universities and other post-secondary educational institutions)
• General and special law districts created
in accordance with state law, and with the authority and responsibility for
water quality protection or municipal solid waste management, to include river
authorities
• Councils of Governments
Private and
non-profit companies and organizations are not eligible to receive grant
funding. However, recipients of a grant
may contract with private and non-profit entities to provide specific
grant-funded services.
Entities that are subject to the payment of state solid waste disposal
fees and whose payments are in arrears are not eligible to receive a
grant. In addition, entities that are
barred from participating in state contracts by the Texas General Services
Commission (GSC), under the provisions of §2155.077, Government Code, and 1
AUTHORIZED PROJECT
CATEGORIES
The following project
categories are eligible for funding.
Under each category heading is a brief description of the purpose of
that category, as well as special requirements pertaining to that project
category.
1. Local Enforcement
Funds may be used
for projects which contribute to the prevention of illegal dumping of municipal
solid waste, including liquid wastes.
Funding recipients may investigate illegal dumping problems; enforce
laws and regulations pertaining to the illegal dumping of municipal solid
waste, including liquid waste; establish a program to monitor the collection
and transport of municipal liquid wastes, through administration of a
manifesting system; and educate the public on illegal dumping laws and
regulations.
2. Litter and Illegal Dumping Cleanup
Funds may be used
for ongoing and periodic activities to clean up litter and illegal dumping of
municipal solid waste, including the cleanup of scrap tires and C & D waste
dumping sites. Projects may include support
for Lake and River Cleanup events, conducted in conjunction with the TCEQ’s and
Keep Texas Beautiful’s Lake and River Cleanup Program. Funded activities may include: waste removal;
disposal or recycling of removed materials; fencing and barriers; and
signage. Placement of trash collection
receptacles in public areas with chronic littering problems may also be
funded. Reuse or recycling options
should be considered for managing the materials cleaned up under this program,
to the extent feasible.
3. Source Reduction and Recycling
Funds may be used
for projects which provide a direct and measurable effect on reducing the
amount of municipal solid waste going into landfills, by diverting various
materials from the municipal solid waste stream for reuse or recycling, or by
reducing waste generation at the source.
Funded activities may include: diversion from the waste stream and/or
collection, processing for transport, and transportation of materials for reuse
and/or recycling; implementation of efficiency improvements in order to increase
source reduction and recycling, to include full-cost accounting systems and
cost-based rate structures, establishment of a solid waste services enterprise
fund, and mechanisms to track and assess the level of recycling activity in the
community on a regular basis; and educational and promotional activities to
increase source reduction and recycling.
4. Citizens’ Collection Stations, “Small”
Registered Transfer Stations, and Community Collection Events
Funds may be used for
projects to construct and equip citizens’ collection stations, as these
facilities are defined under 30
5. Household Hazardous Waste Management
Funds may be used
for projects which provide a means for the collection, recycling or reuse,
and/or proper disposal of household hazardous waste, including household
chemicals and other materials. Funded
activities may include: collection events; consolidation and transportation
costs associated with collection activities; recycling or reuse of materials;
proper disposal of materials; permanent
collection facilities, and education and public awareness programs. Funds may also be used to support Texas
County Cleanup events, conducted in conjunction with the TCEQ.
6. Technical Studies
Funds may be used
for projects which include the collection of pertinent data, analysis of issues
and needs, evaluation of alternative solutions, public input, and recommended
actions, to assist in making solid waste management decisions at the local
level. Projects may also include
research and investigations to determine the location, boundaries, and contents
of closed municipal solid waste landfills and sites, and to assess possible
risks to human health or the environment associated with those landfills and
sites.
7. Educational and Training Projects
Educational
components are encouraged under the other categories in order to better ensure
public participation in projects; those educational components should be funded
as part of those projects and not separately under this category. Funds may also be used for “stand-alone”
educational projects dealing with a variety of solid waste management
topics. Projects may include funding for
information-exchange activities, subject to the other limitations on travel
expenses.
The eligible project category “other” is a non-specific category created
in order to better serve regions that have special municipal solid waste
needs that do not fall into another category. In order for a project to be
funded under this project category, the applicant must meet the following
conditions:
§ The proposal is consistent with the RGCOG’s Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and addresses the goals and objectives therein.
§ TCEQ approves the scope of work for projects submitted under the Other grant category
TCEQ will review and approve grant requests on a case-by-case basis. Proposed projects must not conflict with contract regulations.
Regional
Solid Waste Management
a. Goal 1: Promote planning to ensure adequate services and facilities for the proper management and disposal of municipal solid waste.
Objectives:
1. Identify areas with less than 10 years of municipal solid waste disposal capacity, and implement programs or actions to develop more capacity.
2. Identify areas with inadequate collection, transportation, disposal and processing facilities and/or services, and implement programs to address those problems.
3. Support regional and local efforts to identify areas with litter and illegal dumping problems, and implement programs to address those problems.
4. Encourage the development of local solid waste management plans where necessary to ensure long-term capacity and the provision of services.
5. Review applications for municipal solid waste management facility permits for conformance with local and regional solid waste plans.
6. Ensure that municipal solid waste facility locations are compatible with surrounding land uses, zoning, growth patterns and community land use plans.
7. Ensure that local stakeholders are involved in the review of proposed municipal solid waste facility applications.
Implementation Strategies by Need or Problem Area:
Solid Waste Facility
Siting/Permit Application Review
· Develop a checklist of factors to review the conformance of solid waste facility permit applications with the regional plan. (Short term)
· Assist local governments to review solid waste permit applications for compatibility with such things as traffic, noise, aesthetics, impact on property values, community growth patterns, compatibility with local land use patterns, local solid waste management plans, and other issues of local concern. (Short to long term)
· Encourage local governments to develop and implement solid waste facility siting regulations. (Intermediate term)
· Encourage local governments to address solid waste facility siting in their comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances. (Intermediate term)
Local
Enforcement and Illegal Dumping
· Develop a regional environmental enforcement taskforce or similar organization to promote the sharing of information and resources, and the standardization of enforcement programs. (Short term)
· Develop local enforcement programs in areas lacking them, or establish a regional cooperative enforcement program. (Short term)
· Require proof of legal disposal as part of the construction and demolition process. (Intermediate term)
Construction
and Demolition Debris
· Develop convenient and cost-effective local and regional disposal options. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Develop a permitting or manifest system, or roll-off requirements at the city and county level to ensure that contractor and do-it-yourselfer waste is properly disposed of. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Develop local and/or regional C & D waste recycling services. (Intermediate to Long term)
Recycling
and Waste Reduction
· Encourage the development of local and/or regional facilities that reduce, reuse or recycle waste materials. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Encourage the development of yard waste reduction and composting programs. (Short to Intermediate term)
Household
Hazardous Waste
· Encourage the development of local and/or cooperative regional household hazardous waste events and permanent collection facilities, especially in the rural subregion.
Collection
and Disposal
· Encourage the development of a collection network in each county through the development of citizens’ collection stations or small registered transfer stations. (Short term)
· Encourage the development of local or subregional solid waste management plans for areas with a substantial number of residents lacking collection and disposal services. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Work with local governments to assess disposal capacity needs with special emphasis on local areas with less than 10 years disposal capacity. (Short to Long term)
· Promote mandatory solid waste collection service in counties with ongoing illegal dumping problems. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Encourage the development of regional liquid waste disposal and processing facilities. Short to Intermediate term)
b. Goal 2: Provide technical support and services to promote local and regional municipal solid waste planning.
Objectives:
1. The RGCOG shall serve as the central point of contact for solid waste management information, outreach, education and training programs.
2. Develop regional cooperative service contracts such as household hazardous waste collection contracts or regional recyclables marketing contracts.
3. Assess waste disposal needs and service needs to identify the best approach to meet those needs.
4. Continue to develop and maintain an inventory of solid waste management facilities and services in the planning region.
5. Benchmark and track the effectiveness of regional and local waste reduction and recycling efforts.
Implementation Strategies by Need or Problem Area:
Local
Enforcement and Illegal Dumping
· Conduct assessment of illegal dumping problems in areas without an active local enforcement program. (Short term)
· Encourage local governments to clean up illegal dumpsites and provide residents with legal, affordable, and convenient disposal opportunities. (Short term)
· Provide training and education opportunities for environmental enforcement staff (law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and judges). (Short to Intermediate term)
Construction
and Demolition Debris
· Conduct assessment of feasibility of developing a regional C & D recycling network, and opportunities for C & D reuse. (Short term)
Recycling
and Waste Reduction
· Develop regional recyclables marketing contract. (Short term)
Household
Hazardous Waste
· Develop regional HHW collection contract. (Short term)
Education
· Establish a regional municipal solid waste education clearinghouse, with information on training opportunities, sample materials, and contact information. (Short term)
· Develop regional education and public awareness campaigns with opportunities for local tie-ins, for general waste reduction, recycling, and reuse; environmental enforcement; scrap tires; composting; household hazardous waste; liquid wastes; and other subject areas as necessary. (Short to Intermediate term)
Scrap
Tires
· Develop a regional scrap tire collection and disposal contract. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Develop options for regional recycling and reuse of scrap tires. (Short to Intermediate term)
Collection
and Disposal
· Provide assistance to local governments to assess collection, processing, and disposal capacity needs and solutions, with special emphasis on local areas with less than 10 years of capacity and/or those lacking collection services for a substantial number of residents. (Short to Long term)
c. Goal 3: Reduce the amount of municipal solid waste disposed of, through waste reduction, recycling, and reuse.
Objectives:
1. Use outreach and education programs as a catalyst for short-term program initiatives and for long-term changes in attitudes.
2. Benchmark and track the effectiveness of regional and local waste reduction and recycling efforts.
3. Target waste reduction and recycling activities to the major components of the waste disposal stream.
4. Target waste reduction and recycling activities to components of the waste stream that may pose special risks or problems.
Implementation Strategies by Need or Problem Area:
Construction
and Demolition Debris
· Educate the construction and remodeling industries on proper disposal methods and recycling opportunities. (Short to Intermediate term)
Recycling
and Waste Reduction
· Develop and implement a regional recycling educational campaign focusing on buy recycled and recycling basics. (Short term)
· Develop regional yard waste reduction and composting educational program. (Short term)
· Discourage the landfilling of yard waste. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Evaluate local government and school district recycling collection and buy-recycled procurement efforts. (Short term)
· Develop and conduct workshop on recycled products and procurement requirements for local governments and school districts. (Short term)
· Provide “train the trainers” training program for school districts in recycling and waste reduction. (Short term)
· Expand recycling educational campaigns to non-traditional audiences, including colonias residents. (Short term)
·
Assess the feasibility of providing curbside
recycling, especially in the
· Develop cooperative purchasing program for local governments to improve markets for recycled content products. (Intermediate to Long term)
· Develop a commercial recycling council and expand commercial and industrial recycling programs. (Intermediate to Long term)
· Support efforts to develop innovative waste processing and reuse alternatives. (Intermediate to Long term)
Household
Hazardous Waste
· Develop and implement a regional HHW educational campaign that focuses on reduction and proper handling and disposal options. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Promote local government efforts to establish ongoing HHW collection opportunities. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Investigate the feasibility of providing multi-jurisdictional or regional HHW collection events. (Short to Intermediate term)
Scrap
Tires
· Develop a regional scrap tire collection contract. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Encourage tire amnesty days in cooperation with local governments and tire dealers to discourage illegal dumping of tires. (Short term)
· Support efforts to develop regional end-uses for scrap tires. (Short to Intermediate term)
· Investigate opportunities to develop a regional tire-derived fuel market. (Intermediate to Long term)
WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact
FY 96 – 02 Regional Solid
Waste Grant Projects
|
Project Number |
Grantee |
Project
Description |
Funding Amount |
|
FY96-97 Grant
Cycle |
|
|
|
|
96-08-G01 |
City of |
Recycling
Roll-Off Container |
$
6,500.00 |
|
96-08-G02 |
|
Enhance
Recycling Program |
$
15,900.00 |
|
96-08-G03 |
City of Alpine |
Expand Recycling
Center |
$
52,307.00 |
|
96-08-G04 |
City of |
Recycling Training
Course |
$
827.00 |
|
96-08-G05 |
City of |
Recycling
Trailers |
$
25,416.00 |
|
96-08-G06 |
City of El Paso |
Bilingual Waste
Management Video |
$
17,200.00 |
|
96-08-G07 |
City of El Paso |
Workplace
Recycling Program |
$ 16,233.00
|
|
96-08-G08 |
County of El Paso |
Local
Enforcement |
$
58,853.00 |
|
96-08-G09 |
City of Socorro |
Local
Enforcement |
$
20,000.00 |
|
96-08-G10 |
|
Local
Enforcement |
$
19,161.00 |
|
97-08-G01 |
City of El Paso |
HHW Collection
Event |
$154,992.00 |
|
97-08-G02 |
SISD/CISD |
Recycling
Containers/Education |
$
14,177.00 |
|
97-08-G03 |
Jeff Davis County |
Recycling
Roll-Off Container |
$
6,095.00 |
|
97-08-G04 |
City of El Paso |
Christmas Tree Chipping
Program |
$
23,000.00 |
|
97-08-G05 |
City of El Paso |
Recycling Public
Education |
$
12,100.00 |
|
97-08-G06 |
City of El Paso |
Expand Recycling
Program |
$ 52,4 |