CAPCOG and the Capital Area Regional Environmental Task Force (RETF) will conduct their first basic environmental course on July 29, 2021 in Luling at Zedler Mill Pavilion, 1170 S. Laurel Avenue since the pandemic began. The course provides government enforcement officials with information on protecting their community’s environment.
Environmental crimes do not recognize geographic boundaries and are often a nuisance to property owners and area residents. They can become a health and safety risk as pollutants can damage surrounding vegetation, animals and waterways. Illegal dumpsites can contain physically dangerous rubbish and attract vermin. Certified instructors for the CAPCOG and RETF course provide enforcement officials with insight about illegal dumping and other environmental crimes such as solid waste violations, illegal outdoor burning, and water pollution. During the course, the instructors discuss federal and state laws and local codes that lead to better enforcement as well as best-practices for investigating, prosecuting, and abating such environmental crimes.
The course offers 6-hours of continuing education credits for law enforcement officers, code enforcement officers, and sanitation workers. On-site Sewage Facility workers earn 4-hours towards their continuing education. An additional basic and an intermediate course will be offered later this year.
