Department Contacts

2005 Basic Environmental Laws

SOLID WASTE - For all information regarding the application for Blossom Prairie Landfill in Lamar County, Texas, please click here. 

NEW:  Texas Computer Equipment Recycling Program.  State law now requires computer manufacturers to offer Texas consumers free and convenient computer equipment recycling.  For consumers, manufacturers and retailers wishing a list of manufacturers with links to their recycling web pages and additional information, please log on to the program web site www.TexasRecyclesComputers.com .  Also, a flyer with information about the computer recycling program can by found by clicking here.

Plan Design—The Regional Plan is designed to coordinate activities between solid waste management programs and other related activities within the region. Furthermore, it establishes goals and objectives within the region for proper collection and disposal of solid waste, reduction of wastes to be landfilled, and establishes an Action Plan for the implementation of these goals and objectives. The plan considers three separate planning periods:

Goals—Preliminary regional goals, objectives, and priorities were reviewed, discussed and further developed during monthly public participation meetings held around the region during the planning period. The results indicated the preferred waste management hierarchy given consideration by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for the ATCOG region is as follows:

1. Source Reduction and Waste Management

2. Reuse and Recycling (including composting)

3. Resource Recovery (including burning solid waste to produce energy

4. Land Disposal

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee at their meeting on September 8, 2006 adopted the Volume I - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2002-2022, which outlines Regional Goals and Objectives.  Volume I was adopted by the ATCOG Board of Directors on July 25, 2006, and will be reviewed for adoption by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in February, 2007.  The goals of Volume I are outlined below:

Goal #1:  Encourage and promote funding availability for regional, sub-regional, and local implementation of this plan.

Goal #2:  Promote source reduction efforts to decrease the amount of solid waste generated.

Goal #3:  Promote the maximum development of regional as well as local, integrated, convenient, collection systems.

Goal #6:  Promote enforcement efforts to decrease illegal dumping.

Goal #7:  Promote composting of yard waste and sludge within the region.

Goal #8:  Utilize existing facilities to the extent environmentally and economically feasible.

Goal #9:  Promote development of integrated solid waste management systems.

Goal #10:  Encourage sub-regions to allow for more cost effective local plans and regionalization of facilities.

Goal #11:  Use the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) permit application process to ensure conformance with the regional plan and reduce environmental and other constraints that impact the siting of future solid waste facilities.

WATER QUALITY

1.  The Clean Rivers Program of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is a state fee-funded program for water quality monitoring, assessment, and public outreach.  It provides citizens the opportunity to approach water quality issues within a watershed or river basin at the local and regional level.  River basin authorities in our region include the  Sulphur River Basin Authority, Red River Authority and the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.

2.  TCEQ lists disposal methods for household hazardous waste such as pesticides, paints, cleaners and batteries.  Information on how to dispose of used motor oil and oil filters is also available through the TCEQ website.  Pet waste can also cause water pollution when it is not disposed of properly.  Yard waste and grass clippings can also pollute our waters.  These materials can be used as compost.

3.  TCEQ water quality information:
     a.  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) homepage
     b.  TCEQ Water Quality Information
     c.  TCEQ Source Water Protection Program 
     d.  TCEQ Water Quality Publications

4.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Links and Resources:
     a.  Environmental Protection Agency
     b.  Septic Systems General Information
               (1)  EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems (long guide) .pdf
               (2)  EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems (short guide) .pdf
               (3)  EPA Septic System Checklist 
     c.  Surf Your Watershed  
     d.  Region 6 Water Programs

5.  Grow Green Materials:
     (a)  Available in print from ATCOG offices.  Please contact Paul Prange at 903.832.8636.
     (b)  Downloadable .pdf Earth Wise Guides from EPA:
                (1)  Lawn Care
                (2)  Yard Care
                (3)  Fire Ants
                (4)  Beneficial Insects

6.  Other Water Quality Links:
     a.  Earth 911
     b.  Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas
     c.  NEMO - Non-Point Education for Municipal Officials
     d.  Texas Water Resources Institute
     e.  Texas Water Development Board
     f.  Texas Water Matters
     g.  USGS Water Watch   
     h.  Texas Watch


7.  Water Quality Resources for Students and Teachers: 
     a.  EPA Water Curriculum
     b.  Environmental Information and Education for Teachers and Citizens
     c.  Envirolink Water Quality
     d.  Water Quality Theme Page 
     e.   River Basins Environmental Technology Center    
     f. USGS Water Science for Schools    
     g.  NOS Education Discovery Kits From NOAA

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING

This is a water stimulus grant through Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The goal of this project is to strengthen the existing and build new volunteer surface water quality monitoring efforts in the nine-county ATCOG region.  The training in water quality monitoring will build on local knowledge, thereby strengthening the ability of ATCOG-area residents to participate in the protection of their water resources.  ATCOG will partner with the local chapter of the Texas Stream Team at Texarkana College in this effort.  The ARRA 604B funds will allow ATCOG to provide a range of programmatic support tailored to meet the needs of the different groups.

The grant time period is November 2009 through August 2011.

BROWNFIELDS

ATCOG has again been awarded the EPA Brownfields Combined Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Assessment grant funds for grant period September 2009 through August 2012.

The goal of this project is to coordinate the work of area environmental service firms to conduct Phase I and II site assessments.  It will coordinate clean-up activities and other activities to encourage potential economic development and job creation, reuse of existing infrastructures, and overall will improve community needs, as well as encourage healthy and safe environments.