2012 Environmental Summit “Eco Out-Reach El Paso”

edominguez — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:16:00 GMT

EL PASO - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Senator José Rodríguez (D-El Paso), and El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal will host the 2012 Environmental Summit "Eco-Outreach El Paso" on Friday, October 12, 2012, at the El Paso Marriott Hotel, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The yearly summit brings together government agencies, businesses, students, non-profit organizations, political leaders, and neighborhood associations to discuss environmental challenges facing our community.

The summit also provides the public accessible information on environmental and conservation issues.

Some of the topics to be discussed at this year's summit include enforcement of environmental crimes by law enforcement agencies, the development of "Neighborhood Watch" programs in the colonias to fight illegal dumping, and the impact of city ordinances prohibiting the use of plastic bags.

In addition, the City of El Paso will be presenting its new environmental projects: the small business recycling program, and the compost and mulching initiative.

The first Environmental Summit was held in 2000, hosted by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the El Paso County Attorney's Office. With a mere 100 attendees, the summit allowed participants to identify several environmental issues affecting El Paso. "Champions" were then selected to work with groups to find potential solutions to those issues.

Twelve years later the Environmental Summit is strong, attracting over 400 attendees, addressing new issues and showcasing environmental pride of individuals, groups, businesses and schools.

Successes have resulted from the Summits, to include:

Five (5) Citizen Collection Centers throughout El Paso.
The creation of the first Environmental Court in the State of Texas, with a dedicated environmental prosecutor and judge.
First ever Liquid Waste Ordinance, Rule 15, which is now part of El Paso Water Utility's Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) program.
Planning and participation in other organizations' community clean ups and tire amnesty days.
A community awareness campaign to educate residents on how to report environmental crimes.

The event will be free and open the public. Registration is required. To RSVP, please contact Gina Posada at (915) 834-4962, or go to http://www.texasenvirohelp.org/.

WHAT: 2012 Environmental Summit "Eco-Outreach El Paso.

WHEN: Friday, October 12, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: El Paso Marriott Hotel, 1600 Airway Blvd (Map)

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2012 Environmental Summit Press Release.pdf

Fabens Resident Sentenced For Polluting the Air By Illegally Burning Trash

edominguez — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:45:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez announced today the sentencing of a Fabens resident who pleaded guilty of violating the Clean Air Act, on a piece of property in the Fabens in far east El Paso County.

31-year-old Leobardo González was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and court costs after pleading guilty to one count of illegal outdoor burning before Judge Alma Trejo of the County Criminal Court at Law Number One (the Environmental Court).

The offense occurred on or about September 5, 2007, when Mr. González was burning several roofing tar tiles, metal furniture, plastics, and household trash in the back yard of his property located at 1011 Wingo Reserve Rd., in Fabens, El Paso County.

The defendant accidentally set himself on fire while pouring gasoline on the waste and lighting it. He suffered severe burns to various parts of his body and was transported to Thomason Hospital for treatment of his injuries. The Fabens volunteer Fire Dept. had to respond to extinguish the fire.

"Burning waste, roofing tar tiles, is dangerous and bad for the environment because it sends toxic fumes into the air we breathe, and water used to extinguish the fire and the toxic chemicals in the tar could potentially harm our drinking water. The proper method of disposal should be to take your waste to the landfill. Additionally, the fire may get out of control and burn the person setting the fire and/or surrounding homes and property," said Rodríguez.

Rodríguez added that illegal outdoor burning is an on-going problem in the county of El Paso, and he stressed that the County Attorney's Office will continue to prosecute such offenders. The penalty for illegal outdoor burning ranges from a fine of not less than $1000 to up to $50,000 for an individual, or up to 180 days in jail, or both. For an association or corporation, the fine cannot be less than $1,000 or more than $100,000.

To report illegal outdoor burning or other environmental crime, call your local law enforcement agency. The Environmental Hotline at 1-888-6EL-PASO, El Paso Police Dept. at 832-4400, or El Paso Sheriff's Dept. at 546-2280.

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Fabens Illegal Burning Press Release.pdf

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2012 Environmental Summit “Eco Out-Reach El Paso”

Fabens Resident Sentenced For Polluting the Air By Illegally Burning Trash