Under the authority of Subchapter 0 of the “Texas Solid Waste Management Regulations”, the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) has prepared a Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for the Texas counties in our Region (Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River and Titus). The Regional Solid Waste Plan focuses on the reduction of the disposal of solid waste. Under the guidance of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the plan defines long term goals and objectives, and provides funding to cities and counties for projects to meet those goals.

The plan identifies problems, develops goals and objectives, and recommends action for solid waste management for the time frame 2002 through 2022. 

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.

LEAD BASED OUTREACH AND TRAINING PROJECT

ATCOG was awarded the EPA Lead Based Outreach and Training grant for FY 2009 and has partnered with the twin cities of Texarkana and the American Chemical Society's local chapter of Texarkana College in order to educate low-income segments of the communities of the dangers of lead poisoning and to identify and reduce the likelihood of incidences of elevated blood-lead levels in residents with poor housing in the communities.  Because many communities that are disproportionally affected by childhood lead poisoning contain under-served populations, EPA desires to reach communities that are new to lead awareness programs.  As part of this effort, the current project's goals are to decrease the number of children exposed to lead hazards and to increase the number of individuals who will be trained in lead-safe work practices.  Homeowners, renters, contractors, do-it-yourself workers, and realtors will all be targeted with outreach and training on lead-safe work practices at the community level.

Under the project direction of Paul Prange, Environmental Resources Planner at ATCOG, the lead poisoning prevention outreach will be provided to the communities through educational outreach materials available from EPA, HUD and CDC.  These materials contain appropriate language comprehension and cultural identification suitable for the community to receive the outreach information.  Brochures, pamphlets and posters will be distributed by the ATCOG Lead Based Outreach Technician, Charles Clift, with the assistance of the American Chemical Society from Texarkana College.  This information will be distributed throughout the community, especially the highly utilized community centers in the twin cities.  Mr. Clift will also disseminate information to the area medical community, primarily focusing on lead based hazard children's health issues.  Another focus group that will receive lead based hazard outreach materials is the retail establishments selling paint and home remodeling materials.  

The staff of the twin cities will work together with ATCOG to review current codes and will work with other staff members, contractors, renovators, property owners, and city council members to develop stronger ordinances and/or codes that will enable the code enforcement staff to better address lead hazards and protect children from the lead poisoning.  These ordinances and/or codes will be developed and implemented during the life of this project.  Contractors and do-it-yourself renovators working within the city limits of Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas, and property owners will be regulated by the stronger ordinances and/or codes that will be implemented.

Environmental Planning Department Contacts

(903) 832-8636

L.D. Williamson

Executive Director

Paul Prange

Environmental Resources Planner

Annette Quinn

Environmental Resources Assistant 

Charles Clift

Lead Based Outreach Technician