2008 ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT TO DISCUSS HOW TO FIGHT ILLEGAL DUMPING OF CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS
The recent proliferation of housing construction within the city limits and other areas of the county has generated a serious problem of illegal dumping of construction debris in our community.
Apart from being an eyesore, this type of illegal dumping is dangerous, not only because it pollutes the land and breeds pests, but also because the construction debris sometimes is used as a fill and, if a structure is erected on top of it, years later the foundation of the building could shift due to the pockets of air forming underneath.
Defining what all the government entities and community organizations can do to eradicate illegal dumping of construction debris in our community is the purpose of the upcoming 8th Annual Environmental Summit “What Can You Do to Make a Difference?”
The summit brings together government agencies, local companies, high school students, environmental experts, and El Paso residents, to discuss the different environmental problems in our community, to find possible solutions, and implement the solutions.
How do we stop the illegal dumping of construction materials out on the desert? Can the hundreds of thousands of used tires and construction materials we dispose of every year in El Paso be recycled? Those are just some of the questions we hope to find answers for during the environmental summit.
This year the keynote speaker will be the Honorable Judge Larry Potter, from Shelby County, Tennessee, who in 1983 became the first Environmental Court Judge in Memphis. With his judicial experience, Judge Potter is considered an authority on the subject of environmental law. He travels throughout the United States consulting with governmental authorities on the establishment of environmental courts in their communities. County Attorney José R. Rodríguez and Assistant County Attorney Cristina Viesca-Santos will present what City, County and State agencies are doing, and Senator Eliot Shapleigh will moderate a discussion on how to solve the problem of illegal dumping of construction debris in El Paso. As part of the Summit, members of the organization “Community Scholars” will present a report titled "Think Clean, Go Green." The study describes several environmental issues they have identified in El Paso and suggests possible solutions.The event is free and open to the public. Registration will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. Free lunch will be provided to first 350 individuals who RSVP calling the number 834-4970 or by e-mail to Gterraza@tceq.state.tx.us. WHAT: 8th Annual Environmental Summit “What Can You Do to Make a Difference?”WHEN: Friday September 19, 2008 from 8:00 AM - 2:30 PMWHERE: Ysleta ISD Cultural Arts Center9600 Sims- 30 -
2008 Environmental Summit Press Release.pdf
2008 Environmental Summit Agenda.pdf