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Activists learn environmental organizing skills
Environment Texas joined with the Alliance
for a Clean Texas, a network of over 30
environmental, sportsmen, religious and
parents groups, to host a grassroots legislative
training in Austin on October 14 - 16. Active
citizens from across the state gathered to hear
from some of the state’s top public interest
lobbyists and organizers about what it takes to
win reform at the state Legislature. Attendees
honed their public speaking, media relations,
and coalition-building skills, and participated
in a strategy session to coordinate efforts over
the next year to protect air, water and land.
The training was possible thanks to support
from the Environmental Support Center and
the Houston Endowment’s support for the
Texas Environmental Leadership Program.
The program provides ongoing training for
students, citizen activists and environmental
professionals in the skills they need to
lead effective campaigns protecting Texas’
environment and public health.
Global warming threatens Rio Grande
Texas faces warmer winters and less snow due to global warming,
spelling trouble for cities that depend on the Rio Grande for water.
That’s the conclusion of a Sept. 2005 report, entitled “Less Snow, Less
Water,” released by Environment Texas. According to the study, for
the Rio Grande River basin, the most recent five-year period was the
hottest in the past 110 years.
The warming trend has been strongest in January, February and March.
This timing is consistent with predictions that warming resulting from
climate disruption will be greatest in winter and spring. Researched
and written by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, “Less
Snow, Less Water” based its findings on data from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).
Agency proposes stiffer penalties on polluters
As part of an ongoing review of its enforcement program, the staff
at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the
state’s environmental agency, have proposed increasing fines for
polluters. The move comes after a critical report by the Office of the
State Auditor, which found the agency “does not consistently ensure
that violators are held accountable.”
Among the changes to the penalty policy would be a 25 percent
increase in penalties for some of the most serious violations, and
provisions to prevent polluters from keeping illegally gained profits.
Environment Texas is monitoring the process to make sure polluters
aren’t able to weaken the reforms.
Wildlife refuge threatened with development
On Sep. 20, the U.S. Army put plans to transfer land to the Caddo
Lake National Wildlife Refuge on hold. The move came after Texas
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rep. Louie Gohmert intervened on
behalf of a group of private developers to convert the wild area into
an industrial park.
Home to alligators, turtles, more than 200 species of songbirds and
waterfowl, beautiful Spanish moss-covered cypress trees and Texas’
only naturally formed lake, the Caddo Lake National Wildlife
Refuge in Northeast Texas is truly one of Texas’ most special wild
areas. Developers are seeking to create an industrial park that would
intrude deeply into the existing wildlife refuge, dramatically alter the
character of the region and reduce the level of protection for wildlife
and opportunities for recreation and nature tourism. Environment
Texas and a coalition of organizations are pressing the Army to stick
with its plan of protecting the area. |
