Texas
Environmental Crime Center
Dumping
trash in unauthorized locations is considered a real problem
by local governments in East Texas. Costs for clean-up can run
into the thousands of dollars, and sites that are not cleaned
up can lead to a number of health and safety concerns. Illegal
dumping also fosters a negative image in a community. People
are much more likely to dump on property where a dumpsite already
exists.
Stopping illegal dumping makes good environmental and economic
sense, and it is everyone’s problem. Solve it by working
together with your local law enforcement officials for a cleaner,
healthier, and safer community.
Photos'
of LOCAL DUMPING
Be
a part of the solution, not the problem!
Penalties under the Texas Litter Abatement
Act
Class C Misdemeanor Fine up to
$500.00
15 pounds or less or a volume of 13 gallons or less
Class B Misdemeanor
More than 15 pounds but less than 500 pounds or a volume of
more than 13 gallons
but
less than 100 cubic feet
Class A misdemeanor
500 pounds or more or a volume of 100 cubic feet OR Litter from
a commercial entity weighing more then
5
or has a volume of more then 13 gallons
Upgrading Charges and Felonies
If a person has been previously convicted of violating this
Act, that person’s punishment will be upgraded to the
next
highest
category for any subsequent violation. For example, if a person
has a prior conviction of a Class A misdemeanor, that person’s
punishment will bumped up to a state jail felony the next time
he/she is convicted.
Common
Illegal Dumping Violations
Throwing litter out of a car or boat
Disposing of old cars by rolling them into a river
Hauling trash for profit and dumping it on land that is not
a legal landfill
Letting someone else dump waste on your property, whether they
pay you or not
Pouring used motor oil or restaurant grease into storm drains
or down
manhole
covers
What You Can Do To Help. . .
Law
enforcement officials need your help in fighting environmental
crime.
Citizens may illegal dumping by doing the following:
Always dispose of your own litter properly and encourage others
to do so, as well
Do not transport unsecured debris in the back of a vehicle.
Always us a tarp or other cover
Spread the word to friends and neighbors that illegal dumping
is a crime
Organize volunteer cleanups of illegal dump sites. People are
likely to litter in clean areas
Write or call you local or county elected officials and let
them know that illegal dumping is a concern in your community.
|
Report
Illegal Dumpers
In
Your County
Local:
936-436-4939
or
1-877-A-DUMPER
|
