2012 Environmental Summit “Eco Out-Reach El Paso”
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