Forum to be Held on Dallas/Fort Worth Environmental Issues
State Representative Warren Chisum to Speak

(Austin, Texas) – What environmental legislation and regulations might impact the North Central Texas area this coming year? State Representative Warren Chisum, chairman of the House Committee on Environmental Regulations; Israel Anderson, TNRCC division director and John Promise, director of environmental resources with the North Central Texas Council of Governments will address this question during a forum hosted by the statewide nonprofit organization Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB.) The luncheon forum, which is the last in a series of environmental sessions that have been hosted around the state, will be held on Wednesday, November 29th beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott South Hotel. The hotel is located at 4151 Centreport, just off Highway 360 at the Trinity exit, across the highway from the American Airlines headquarters.

"This forum will provide a great opportunity for the citizens and businesses to visit with representatives of the regulatory agencies who write and make the laws," said Kyle Frazier, Keep Texas Beautiful Government Partnership Committee Chairman. "The legislative session is just a month away and the committees have already begun filing bills. Environmental issues will be important topics during the upcoming legislative session and this is a chance not only to hear from the legislators but to also interact with them on these important issues."

Environmental issues were a priority during the 76th Legislature and will again be at the top of the agenda during this upcoming session beginning January 2001. More than 150 bills were presented before the 76th Legislature dealing with environmental issues regarding air quality, water, recycling, and solid waste. Air quality remains an important issue for the Metroplex. The Dallas/Fort Worth area has been in non-attainment of the federal air quality standards for ozone for 20 years. Though measures have been implemented and some reductions have been made, ozone remains a persistent problem. Vehicle emissions represent the largest contributor to non-attainment in the ozone. Other environmental issues of major concern include pollution of streams from runoff and nonpoint sources, illegal disposal of waste, haze, and severely lowered groundwater levels due to prolonged usage.

"There are a number of environmental priorities for the North Central Texas area," said John Promise, director of environmental resources for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. "Topping the list is to reach attainment of the ozone air quality by 2007, followed by possible new federal and state requirements for local storm water permits by 2003, and energy and water conservation. "Take It Personally is the motto we are encouraging for all citizens," he said. "Recycle, use water wisely, and don’t dump. Every individual action counts."

Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), the nonprofit state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to empower Texans through education to take responsibility for enhancing their community’s environment. KTB works with volunteers, elected officials, businesses and state and federal agencies to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. The legislative forum luncheon is $15 per person and is open to the public. However, reservations are required. Please contact the Keep Texas Beautiful office at 1-800-CLEAN-TX for reservations.

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