The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has kicked off a new process to engage Texans in public participation to meet Title VI requirements of the Civil Rights Act. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any federally funded program. The move is designed to ensure that all Texans can participate in TCEQ programs and activities and meet TCEQs goal of “protecting all Texans while preserving the state’s natural resources in a sustainable economic manner.”
The new process, which builds on TCEQ’s 2021 Public Participation Plan, identifies the use of preliminary screening and public involvement plans, and provides accompanying form instructions, to ensure meaningful public outreach. All applicants applying for a new registration, permit, or activity, or who are making select changes to an existing registration, are required to complete a Public Involvement Plan and subsequent form. Among other benefits, this process is intended to provide an applicant and TCEQ with better insight into the communities surrounding facility locations and to assess the public outreach needed for Texans to be given meaningful opportunities to be notified, understand, and provide input on TCEQ actions.
Learn more about Title VI compliance at TCEQ here.
