Regional Coordination and Planning

Under contract with the TCEQ, the Rio Grande Council of Governments carries out several core functions as the state’s 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.

Primary Members

COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES (6):

      Judge Jack Brunson, Presidio County

      Commissioner Dan Haggerty, El Paso County

      Commissioner  Manny Molinar, Culberson County

      Judge James Peace, Hudspeth County

      Judge Peggy Robertson, Jeff Davis County

      Commissioner Matilde Pallanez, Brewster County

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OPERATING LANDFILLS: (3)

       Ms. Emma Acosta-Enriquez, Deputy Director, City of El Paso Solid Waste Mgt.

       Mr. Ricky Chavez, Finance Director, City of Alpine

       Ms. Cynthia Clarke, City Secretary, City of Presidio

 

CITY OF EL PASO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (1):

      Mr. Richard Razo, Assistant Deputy Director, City of El Paso Solid Waste

      Management (Chairperson, office term expires 10/02)

 

  Secondary Members

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):

                  Mayor Okey Lucas, Town of Van Horn (Vice Chairperson, office term expires 10/02)

                  Curtis Schrader, City Administrator, City of Marfa

PRIVATE WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (4):

                  Mr. Gayle Garner, El Paso Disposal, Inc.

                  Mr. Dan Springfield, Duncan Disposal, Inc

                  Mr. John Waters, Tres Pesetas, Inc.

                  Mr. Kip Crowther, Solid Waste Systems

WATER DISTRICTS (1):

                        Ms. Rosa Perez, Lower Valley Water  District

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1):

                        Mr. Rito Carrera, Clint Independent School District

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS (3):

                  Mr. Henry Drake, El Paso Senior Volunteer Program

                  Mr. Stan Price, Prude Ranch Environmental Education Center

                  Mr. Katherine Palafox, Keep El Paso Beautiful

PUBLIC AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES (3):

                  Ms. Allyson Siwik, Environmental Protection Agency Border Outreach Office

                  Mr. Raymond Bader, Texas Agricultural Extension Service

                  Mr. Oscar Mestas, Texas Forest Service

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 state’s 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