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Environmental Services & Special Projects
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is directed by the Legislature to dedicate one-half of the revenue generated by state fees on municipal solid waste disposed of at landfills to grants for regional and local municipal solid waste projects that will implement the goals of the State Solid Waste Plan. The TCEQ allocates funds to each of the states 24 councils of governments based on a formula that takes into account population, area, solid waste fees generated, and public health needs. Based on the formula, yearly funding for the Rio Grande Council of Governments averages approximately $350,000.00. The Rio Grande Council of Governments uses these funds in four different ways, as directed by the TCEQ: |
Under contract with the TCEQ, the Rio Grande Council of Governments carries out several core functions as the states designated regional solid waste planning entity.
1. Solid Waste Advisory Committee
The Rio Grande Council of Governments maintains a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), which acts as the central planning body for the amendment of the regional solid waste management plan, completion of the closed landfill inventory, and for the selection of local municipal solid waste projects for grant funding. The SWAC meets quarterly to discuss solid waste management activities in the region, solid waste issues important to the region, new laws and regulations, and opportunities for grants and other funding. The members of the SWAC operates in accordance with Bylaws which have been approved by the Rio Grande Council of Governments, and its members are appointed by the Rio Grande Council of Governments Board of Directors. Current members of the SWAC are listed below.
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES (6):
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OPERATING LANDFILLS: (3)
CITY OF EL PASO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (1):
DONA ANA COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE (1):
Ms. Ellen Smyth, P.E., Director, South Central Solid Waste Authority
SMALL INCORPORATED CITIES IN EL PASO COUNTY (1):
Mayor Pro Tem Sam Brewster, City of Socorro
CITIES IN RURAL COUNTIES (2):
PRIVATE WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (4):
WATER DISTRICTS (1):
Ms. Rosa Perez, Lower Valley Water District
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1):
Mr. Rito Carrera, Clint Independent School District
VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS (3):
PUBLIC AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES (3):
OTHER ENTITIES OPERATING LANDFILLS (2):
- Mr. Jim Erickson, Chief of Facility Management, Big Bend National Park
- Ms. Lilia Lenhart, Directorate of Environment, Fort Bliss
Ex Officio Members:
TNRCC REGION VI:
Mr. Terry McMillan, Waste & Water Section Mgr., TNRCC Region VI (NON-VOTING)
TNRCC WASTE PLANNING TEAM:
Ms. Cheryl Untermeyer, TCEQ Waste Planning Team (NON-VOTING)
2. Regional Outreach and Education
The Rio Grande Council of Governments serves as a central point of contact for solid waste management outreach, education, and training programs conducted by the TCEQ. In addition, the Rio Grande Council of Governments maintains a regional collection of solid waste information and reference materials that are available to the public and to local governments.
3. Municipal Solid Waste Facility Permit Application Review
The Rio Grande Council of Governments, through its SWAC, reviews permit applications for municipal solid waste management facilities in the region. The permit applications are reviewed for their conformance with the regional solid waste management plan. The determination of conformance with the regional plan is provided to the TCEQ to assist in its review of the permit application. In addition, the SWAC responds to requests for preliminary evaluations of the conformance of proposed facilities with the regional plan.
4. Amendment of the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan
All of the states 24 councils of governments will amend their regional solid waste management plans during FY 02, under guidelines provided by the TCEQ. The plans will identify priorities for the use of grant funds and identify factors that will be considered by the Rio Grande Council of Governments when reviewing state permit applications for conformance with the regional plan. The amended plans will also include the location and status information for all permitted municipal solid waste facilities and sites where the permit is still valid, as well as include an inventory of all landfill facilities with expired permits.
5. Closed Landfill Inventory Program
The Rio Grande Council of Governments is in the process of completing its inventory of closed landfills in the region. Information on individual landfills will be posted on these web pages when the inventory has been completed, accepted by the Rio Grande Council of Governments Board of Directors, and by the TCEQ.