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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 state’s 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 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 as of October 2009
Primary Members
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES (6):
Judge Jerry Agan, Presidio County
Commissioner Dan Haggerty, El Paso County
Judge Manuel Molinar, Culberson County
Mr. Gordon Dees, Hudspeth County
Commissioner Kathy Bencomo, Jeff Davis County
Commissioner Matilde Pallanez, Brewster County
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OPERATING LANDFILLS: (3)
Ms. Ellen Smyth, Director of Environmental Services, City of El Paso
Mr.Chuy Garcia, City Manager, City of Alpine (Vice-Chairperson)
Mr. Brad Newton, City Administrator, City of Presidio
CITY OF EL PASO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (1):
Mr. Richard Adams, Environmental Services, City of El Paso
DONA ANA COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE (1):
Ms. Sue Padilla, Assistant County Manager, Dona Ana County
SMALL INCORPORATED CITIES IN EL PASO COUNTY (3)
Mayor Art Franco, Mayor, Town of Anthony
Mayor Madeleine Praino, Mayor, Village of Vinton
Mayor Dale T. Reinhardt, Mayor, Town of Clint
CITIES IN RURAL COUNTIES (2):
Mayor Ben Flanagan, Town of Van Horn
Mayor Dan Dunlap, City of Marfa
PRIVATE WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (4):
Mr. John Fields, El Paso Disposal, Inc.
Mr. George Valerio, Duncan Disposal, Inc.
Ms. Susan Babenco, Tres Pesetas, Inc.
Mr. Kip Crowther, Solid Waste Systems
WATER DISTRICTS (1):
Ms. Ann Kelley, Lower Valley Water District
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1):
Ms. Sandra Odenborg, Clint Independent School District
VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS (1)
Ms. Katherine Palafox, Keep El Paso Beautiful (Chairperson)
PUBLIC AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES (2):
Ms. Debra Tellez, Environmental Protection Agency Border Outreach Office
Mr. Raymond Bader, Texas Agricultural Extension Service
OTHER ENTITIES OPERATING LANDFILLS (2):
Ms. Lisa Turecek, Chief of Facilities Management, Big Bend National Park
Ms. Lilia Lenhart, Directorate of Environment, Fort Bliss
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS:
TCEQ REGION VI:
Mr. Kent Waggoner, Air/Water/Waste Section Mgr., TCEQ Region VI (NON-VOTING)
TCEQ 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 are in the process of amending their regional solid waste management plans, under guidelines provided by the TCEQ. The plans 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, as well as include an inventory of all landfill facilities with expired permits.
5.
Closed Landfill Inventory Program
The
Rio Grande Council of Governments has completed its inventory of closed
landfills in the region. Information on individual landfills is available at the
Council of Governments’ office.