Environmental Task Force Garners Finalist Award for Excellence in Innovative Operations
Hays County News Release
The Regional Environmental Task Force (RETF), which includes Hays and nine other counties, received a finalist designation in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) Texas Environmental Excellence Awards in the Innovative Operations/Management category.
Hays County’s Chief of Environmental Crimes Roland Vazquez and Detective Mark Andrews serve on the Task Force. Vazquez is a Master Texas Peace Officer and Andrews is an Advanced Texas Peace Officer; both are commissioned by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
The RETF is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that addresses problems associated with improper storage, transportation or disposal of hazardous materials, used motor oil, batteries and tires, as well as illegal dumping, outdoor burning and abandoned properties. The RETF’s innovative approach includes regional coordination, a regional hotline to report crimes, access to shared resources and advice and environmental law training. Hays County recently sponsored a basic environmental law class that was one of the largest held in several years, with police officers and investigators attending from throughout the state.
“Hays County environmental crime officers have participated for several years in the cooperative efforts of the RETF to solve and deter environmental crimes,” said Hays County Development Services Director Clint Garza, who oversees the Hays County Environmental Crimes unit. “Task Force members share ideas, expertise and resources, and work hard to combat the damage to our natural resources and cost to taxpayers caused by these criminal acts. We appreciate the work that they do and the recognition this award brings to their efforts.”
The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) provides centralized coordination for the Task Force with funding through the TCEQ from tipping fees charged at municipal solid waste facilities.
The awards will be presented in May at the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference in Austin. The committee that selects the finalists is composed of representatives from the environmental industry, local governments, civic organizations, schools and statewide environmental groups. Their choices are recommended to the Governor and TCEQ commissioners.
To report a suspected environmental crime, call the hotline at 1-877-NO-DUMPS or your local environmental crime unit.
