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VOLUME XV, NO. 8 |
TEXAS DAIRY REVIEW |
AUGUST 2006 |
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TCEQ cracks down on past due fees and penalities |
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TCEQ cracks down on past due fees and penalities |
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Delinquent Payments Will Result in Returned, Unprocessed Applications The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today announced, that effective September 1, the agency will no longer issue, amend, or renew permits, registrations, certifications, or licenses to an individual or company with a delinquent penalty or fee.
As a result, these individuals and companies will be operating without a permit, license or registration, and could be subject to further enforcement violations. Applicants who are on the TCEQ-approved payment plan or in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings are exempt from the new procedure. "After a review of the collection practices across various program areas, we have concluded that it is necessary for TCEQ to address delinquency more firmly," said Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White. "This new policy is both appropriate and fair." An estimated $5 million of the $135 million invoiced by the agency in FY '05 (September 1, 2004 - August 31, 2005) is still outstanding. Since September 1, 2005, 3,162 accounts with a cumulative outstanding balance of $3.2 million have been placed with a collection agency. "We make it very clear regarding what financial obligations are involved in conducting business with the TCEQ," said Commissioner Larry R. Soward. "And now we are making the consequences of not taking responsibility for those obligations equally as clear." In December 2003, the TCEQ announced an extensive review of its enforcement programs in an effort to execute environmental laws more effectively, and efficiently. Finalized and approved earlier this year, the agency set forth to officially implement the permit processing protocol for customers with delinquent fees or penalties in FY '07.
For more information on the new protocol:
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/goto/delin-protocol All TCEQ news releases
are available at
www.tceq.state.tx.us/ To receive news releases via Andrea Morrow/TCEQ |
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Meeting emphasizes importance of renewals |
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Looks like the time has come for dairymen to start paying careful attention to their permit renewals if they expect to get them approved by the state any time soon. Of course the dairymen are very used to waiting on their renewals. But the state seems to have an answer to this long worn out problem.
Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD) held a meeting in Stephenville at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center on July 20 to inform dairy producers just how serious the permit situation is. Fifty-six people showed up. David De Jong, 1st vice chairman of (TAD), introduced several guests including Tony Huffman, district conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), John Foster with the TSSWCB in Temple, Jim Bradberry and Leonard Dougal with the Jackson Walker LLP Law Firm, and TAD Executive Director, John Cowan. "This meeting was schedule by TAD to assist dairymen with very important information regarding federal conservation programs, and the status of CAFO permitting with TCEQ," John Cowan said. Dairymen aren't a strange breed as some may think. They just want one thing and that is to MILK COWS. Some dairymen have distinguished educations while others simply grew up on a "Mom and Pop" farm. Regardless, most of them do not want to spend time away from their cows doing paperwork. And as the paperwork tends to become more complicated, that's when they turn it over to someone else. Hiring a consultant is what dairymen do. But, just because they hire a certified engineer, it's important that you know what he knows. Since the TCEQ has started going over permit renewals with a "fine tooth comb," it's a good idea to look carefully and understand your permit. Tony Huffman provided a very informative program including time lines and due dates for producers with conservation practice contracts with NRCS. Huffman included in his discussion key points dairymen need to remember as they work towards completion of their conservation practices. Huffman also stressed the importance of time lines and due dates for producers with conservation practice contracts with NRCS. John Foster with the TSSWCB recapped how his office works in conjunction with the NRCS on development of and certification of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), and his organizations responsibility for non-point source pollution programs in Texas. Jim Bradberry next addressed the group with an excellent recap of the outcome of the lawsuit filed on area dairymen by the City of Waco. Bradberry focused his remarks on things the dairymen should learn from the events of the lawsuit, and implement beneficial outcomes into their operations. Mr. Bradberry said, " You need to know your neighbors and insure they understand your operation." The message was clear, in the Bosque River Watershed, dairymen are held to strict TCEQ rules and as the dairymen pursue their CAFO permit, they are subject to scrutiny from Waco. Leonard Dougal, of Austin, Texas, presented a comprehensive summary including time lines and key elements required by dairymen seeking coverage under TPDES Individual Permitting in the Bosque River Watershed. Following scheduled presentations, David De Jong opened the meeting up to questions from the dairymen with many good questions and comments being shared with the group. Mr. De Jong summarized the meeting with the dairymen, encouraging each of them to stay involved with their environmental consultants, maintaining oversight that the work being completed for them meets their needs. John Cowan concluded the meeting by saying TAD's standpoint on the matter is "Do the right thing and get these permits through. Due dates are getting close." By Sherry Webb and John Cowan |
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Texas Drought: Fourth driest period on record |
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Losses continue to mount throughout the state as extreme heat and lack of rainfall have destroyed up to 2 million acres of cotton, Texas Cooperative Extension reports. "The last estimate on cotton losses in the South Plains was 1.3 million acres," said Dr. Travis Miller, Extension program leader for soil and crop science. "I know we've lost in excess of 300,000 acres along the Gulf Coast. And we've also lost a considerable number of sorghum and soybean acres." Seventy percent of the soybean crop in North Texas has already been baled, Miller said. Much of the corn throughout the Blacklands region in Central Texas and south of Victoria has been lost or has had exceptionally low yields due to drought, he said. "And it's no secret we've lost a whole lot of forage," Miller said. "We've seen record numbers of light-weight calves go to the feedlots, and ranchers continue to cull herds to get numbers down to meet available forage. There's very short supplies of hay and very little has been made. It doesn't look good for this winter."
A good hay cutting can still be produced
"if we were to get favorable rains, and rains this fall would help
producers grow winter pastures for grazing, reducing the need for hay,
which is in "Really, the only bright spots have been along the Gulf Coast north of Victoria," Miller said. "They've had some pretty good cotton and corn, and some soybeans in that area. There's also been excessive rains in some places, which has probably hurt the rice crop, but that's only in an isolated area." Current estimated cost of this year's drought is $1.5 billion. (Source: Texas Cooperative Extension) TCE will revise this estimate after the August crop report when the first production figures for the 2006 spring planted crops are released. Drought Conditions (April - June) * Texas is still in its fourth-driest period, exceeded by 1918, 1925, 1971. Rainfall during this period was 72% of normal. * It is the fourth driest period on record for North-Central Texas(Climate Division(CD) 3), exceeded by 1918, 1925, 1971. Precipitation was 67% of normal. * For East Texas (CD 4), the period was the fourth driest period on record, exceeded by 1925, 1918, and 1902. Rainfall was 70% of normal. * For South-Central Texas (CD 7), the period was the second driest period only record, exceeded only by 1918. Precipitation in the region was 61% or normal. * For South Texas (CD 9), the period was the also the second driest on record, exceeded only by 1953. Precipitation in the area was 57% of normal. * For the Lower Valley of Texas (CD 10), the period was the second driest on record, exceeded only by 1953. Precipitation in the region was 62% of normal. Drought Links for Addition Information: 127 counties on the Burn Ban Map http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/DecBan.jpg. U.S. Drought Monitor http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html. Blair Fannin-TAMU and The Texas Dept. of Agriculture |
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New Mexico Trade Show |
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Most people will find there is certainly no harm in mixing both business and pleasure when they get the chance. This was evidenced at the Dairy Producers of New Mexico (DPNM) annual Meeting and trade show at Ruidoso, New Mexico held last month.. Warm weather during the day, but ideally cool in the evening especially after experiencing Texas' hottest summer made Ruidoso a wonderful setting for the trade story. The scenic mountain views and the smell of pine trees added to a pleasurable trip. The trade show seemed busy this year with newcomers who exhibited their services and products. Of course, don't forget about the ones who have exhibited at the show each and every year since it started. DPNM is a grassroots agriculture association for New Mexico and West Texas dairy producers. DPNM is an advocate for dairy producers. DPNM acts as the liaison for dairy producers on all levels of government-local, state and national. DPNM's Board of Directors comprises 11 producers elected by their constituents. DPNM also provides education to its members through a monthly newsletter, informational mailings and seminars. There are approximately 180 dairies in New Mexico, with the largest average herd size (1700) in the nation. New Mexico is currently ranked 7th in the nation for milk production and 8th in the nation for cheese production. The dairy industry in New Mexico has brought significant economic benefits to the state. According to New Mexico State University (NMSU), the average New Mexico dairy produced 33,681,655 pounds of milk during 2004, worth an estimated 5.4 million dollars. DPNM works closely with environmental advisors and local and regional environmental regulators to formulate environmentally protective, sensible, and efficient operating procedures to enable the industry to produce affordable dairy products including liquid milk, butter, cheese and powdered milk. |
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2006 Texas Ag Expo: Booths Available |
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The 2006 Texas Ag Expo is coming up November 1st & 2nd at Lone Star Arena in Stephenville. This annual event, sponsored by TriCounty Agribusiness Association, gives agribusiness suppliers the opportunity to reach area dairymen, farmers, and ranchers. * The Texas Ag Expo provides a marketplace to showcase all the equipment, supplies and services available to agricultural producers. Our 16th Annual Expo will continue to target the numerous dairy producers and farmers in our region, as well as the growing number involved with beef cattle, goats, horses and wildlife!
* Over 120 exhibitors from 20 states have
participated in this show attended by thousands. * If your target market includes the enterprising dairy producer, rancher, farmer, livestock breeder, horse lover or wildlife enthusiast in Texas and the surrounding region, you should attend! * The Expo is in Texas' leading dairy region. Over 150 dairies in Erath, Comanche & Hamilton counties' generate more than $200 million in milk revenues annually to the local economy. * Agribusiness is the primary economic element throughout the area with the addition of beef cattle and other livestock, peanuts, pecans, melons, grains, hay & silage, horticulture production, wildlife/hunting operations and a booming horse industry. * Activities during the show will include sponsored meals, educational seminars, demonstrations and clinics, team roping, parade of horses, Farm Safety 4 Kids, Antique Tractor Show and much, much more! * Activities during the show will include sponsored meals, educational seminars, demonstrations and clinics, team roping, parade of horses, Farm Safety 4 Kids, Antique Tractor Show and much, much more! Exhibitor booth spaces are now available! Contact TriCounty Agribusiness Association today to reserve your booth! www.TriCountyAg.com The Annual Texas Ag Expo Golf Tournament will take place Thursday, October 31st at 9 am at Legends Golf Course in Stephenville. Hole sponsorships are available! |
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