HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7488 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7488
10 ar°4 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 1$, 1990
�T xA�x Subject: INCREASE IN Rj �EMENTS FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO
1673 ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Cities throughout the United, States have faced a great many
hurdles, but none so costly or demanding as the Environmental
concerns we will face in the next decade. Although
environmentally related .issues have been addressed in the past, a
marked increase in the demand on all levels of government to
address environmental concerns has developed over the last three
years. In an attempt to stay in front of these demands, the City
implemented programs to address industrial, solid and hazardous
waste, air pollution, surface water impaction, storm water issues
and, most recently, environmental assessments of property.
New and pending legislation will require additional City
resources to address these issues. In the past eighteen months,
more than $1.8 million has been allocated by the City of Fort
Worth to address environmental concerns, and staff has indicated
that during the next five ( 5) years an additional $8.2 million
will be necessary to meet current federal and state mandates.
Future legislation will not relieve the pressure being placed on
local municipal governments to address these issues. For
example, amendments to the Clean Air Act could require cities in
non-attainment areas to:
■ implement additional control measures to reduce
air contaminants;
• implement alternative fuels for centrally based
fuel fleets;
• implement additional traffic control measures;
eliminate the use of certain consumer solvents;
• restrict vehicle access in downtown areas;
■ impose fines for failure to reduce emissions;
• grant highway funds only to projects that enhance
air quality, improve mass transit or encourage
carpooling; and
ban new drinking water hookups.
Additional regulations addressing indoor air quality, asbestos
abatement, hazardous and toxic waste disposal and non-point
source pollution ( storm water) will further compound the issues
currently being addressed by the City. Staff will continue to
look at innovative approaches to addressing environmental
concerns, providing solutions that will continue our high quality
of life while enhancing economic growth within the community.
Council will be provided with additional information as it
becomes available to staff.
David A. Ivory
RH:csm
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ------