Conservation Conversation -- Aug. 20, 2021 Newsletter

AUGUST 31 DEADLINE FOR WATER, TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL — There’s still time to submit entries for the Water, Texas film festival sponsored by the Texas Water Foundation. The event gives filmmakers the opportunity to create diverse, informative, and thought-provoking films that explore our relationship with water. CLICK HERE for contest rules and entry information!

CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 2022 — If you are operating a new farm or ranch or if you previously did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire but should have, you can register your information here to ensure your agricultural operation is included when the next Census of Agriculture kicks off in 2022. The Census collects information from operations that grow fruit, vegetables or some food animals if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year. To learn more about the Census, visit the National Agricultural Statistics Service webpage. (Source: Texas Department of Agriculture)

TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS — The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards honor achievements in environmental preservation and protection. Applications for awards are due by Friday, Sept. 30, 2021. CLICK HERE for applications, instructions, and other information!

PFAS Exposure Assessment meeting set for Jan. 22

From the ATSDR

Lubbock County, Texas

Wednesday, January 8, 2020 — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced today the initiation of an exposure assessment near Reese Technology Center in Lubbock County, Texas. The purpose of the exposure assessment is to provide information to the community members about the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their bodies and provide information about exposures in the broader community.

What
CDC/ATSDR scientists will provide information about ATSDR, the PFAS exposure assessment, the participant recruitment process, and upcoming PFAS testing to be conducted.

For members of the media, a media availability session will be held from 4:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.

When
January 22, 2020  
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Presentation will start at 6:00 p.m.

Where
Terra Vista Middle School 
1111 Upland Avenue
Lubbock, TX 99416

BACKGROUND
PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1950s. They have been used in non-stick cookware; water-repellent clothing; stain-resistant fabrics and carpets; some cosmetics; some firefighting foams; and products that resist grease, water, and oil. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposure to PFAS. Some studies have shown that PFAS exposure may interfere with the body’s natural hormones; increase cholesterol levels; affect the immune system; and increase the risk of cancer.

The primary goal of the exposure assessment is to provide information about levels of PFAS in the bodies of community members served by private water wells. The results of these exposure assessments will help individual participants and their communities better understand their exposure to PFAS and provide information that the communities can use to reduce PFAS exposure.

For more information about the PFAS Exposure Assessment, visit:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/PFAS-Exposure-Assessments.html. For more information about PFAS and available resources, visit: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

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ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.

TCEQ seeks stakeholder input on backflow prevention

From Texas Section of the American Water Works Association

The TCEQ will conduct stakeholder meetings across the state in January to solicit informal comments on rulemaking for 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 334, Subchapter F, Landscape Irrigation - Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection.

This rulemaking is the result of petitions approved at the Oct. 4, 2017, Commissioner’s Agenda. The petitions seek to amend acceptable methods for backflow prevention in 30 TAC 344.52, Installation of Backflow Prevention Devices, including:

• eliminating authorization of double check valves,
• adding spill resistant vacuum breakers as an allowable alternative,
• including requirements for the use of in-line filters or strainers, and
• changing terminology from backflow prevention “devices” to “assemblies” to align with 30 TAC 290, Public Drinking Water.

Additionally, the petitions seek to revise 30 TAC 344.50, Backflow Prevention Methods, to align current TCEQ rules with existing national and international standards concerning the health hazard classification of irrigation systems, the backflow assemblies acceptable for use in protection against an irrigation system, and the terminology used to refer to a backflow prevention assembly. 

Information on cross-connection and backflow prevention, a link to the current TCEQ rules, and copies of the Commission’s decision on the petitions can be found on the Landscape Irrigation Regulation Stakeholder page on the TCEQ’s website.

Stakeholder meetings are an opportunity for the public to provide informal comments to staff prior to the start of formal rulemaking. While staff will review all comments received, the TCEQ will not formally respond to any informal comments. 

Stakeholder meetings will be held at following locations and times:

Jan. 16, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.
Tesoro Building
8700 Tesoro Drive, 1st Floor Conference Room
San Antonio, Texas 78217

Jan. 17, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Region 14
TAMUCC-NRC Building
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412

Jan. 18, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.
Harlingen Water Works Building
114 North L Street
Harlingen, Texas 78550

Jan. 22, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.
El Paso Public Library
501 North Oregon Street
El Paso, Texas 79901

Jan. 23, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.  
Wolfforth Public Library Community Room
508 East Hwy 62/82
Wolfforth, TX 79382

Jan. 29, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Region 11
12100 Park 35 Circle, Building E, Room 201S
Austin, Texas 78753
* Please note: The Austin meeting will also be webcast.

TCEQ will accept comments through Feb. 28, 2018. Written comments should reference Rule Project Number 2018-004-344-CE and be submitted to:

Derek Baxter
TCEQ - Office of Legal Service
P.O. Box 13087 – MC205
Austin TX 18177-3087

Or faxed to 512-239-4808.

Electronic comments may be submitted via the TCEQ eComments system. 

For additional information please contact Melissa Keller, Program Support Section, at 512-239-1768 or the Program Support Section Main Line 512-239-0400