Welcome to the Environmental Program
Learn more about what we do
Solid Waste
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 landfills, and establishes an Action Plan for the implementation of these goals and objectives. The plan considers three separate planning periods:
Brownfields
Brownfield sites are abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities available for re-use. Expansion or redevelopment of such a facility may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations.
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.
Water Quality
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 , Riverbend Water Resources District, and the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.
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.