West Central Texas is known throughout the world as the “Big Country”. This vast open range encompasses multiple prairies and plateaus. The southern counties of the region lie within the Edwards Plateau, while the Northern portion of the region is within the Southern Shortgrass Prairie, Rolling Plains and the Cross Timbers and Prairie. The region is home to the several state parks and sites including the Abilene State Park, Fort Griffin Historic Site, Fort Phantom Hill, Lake Brownwood State Park, and Lake Colorado City State Park. Multiple lakes provide surface water across the region and include the OH Ivie Reservoir, Lake Brownwood, Proctor Lake, Champion Creek Reservoir, Lake Abilene, Lake Fort Phantom Hill, Hubbard Creek Reservoir, and Lake Stamford. There are several protected species in the area including the bald eagle, whooping crane, smalleye shiner, goldcheek warbler, black capped vireo, and the concho water snake.
Historically, residents have derived their livelihoods from the land; through cattle ranching and agricultural crops. Mining interests were pervasive in the region, Brown County has three closed coal mines, Coleman County is home to five closed coal mines, Eastland County contains 13 closed coal mines and Stephens County has 8 closed coal mines in the region. Significant agricultural crops are in place throughout the region and discussed in detail in the CEDS Agriculture section. There is limited rainfall in the region; the annual rainfall is less than 29 inches in all areas of the region. Irrigation is necessary and Aquifer Recharge Areas are prevalent in the region. Oil production continues in the region. In Spring 2010, major oil wells were successfully drilled and activated in Brown, Jones and other area counties.
Pollution and solid waste disposal are issues in West Central Texas. Illegal dumping on open land and waterways has created hazardous and petroleum waste sites throughout the region. Harsh land usage over the years has resulted in solid waste issues. Five Superfund locations, located in Eastland, Knox, Mitchell, and Taylor counties, are currently identified by the State of Texas and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Investigation and cleanup is currently underway in the area.
West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) leads the region's effort to address the environmental issues of the region associated with waste management, including better enforcement around illegal dumping, efforts to impact recycling and waste reduction, implementation of education and training programs, improvement of household hazardous waste management, and improved scrap tire collection and disposal. The region, represented by the WCTCOG, has in place a 20-year Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP). Revised in 2007, the Plan contains actionable strategies for achieving goals adopted by the WCTCOG Executive Committee and the West Central Texas Natural Resource Committee, including:
According to recent analysis, the region has made significant progress in recycling and waste reduction, including increases in recycling and waste diversion efforts such as workplace and school-based recycling programs. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and WCTCOG are also active in funding backyard composting and household hazardous waste programs to help the region address environmental concerns.
Historically, residents have derived their livelihoods from the land; through cattle ranching and agricultural crops. Mining interests were pervasive in the region, Brown County has three closed coal mines, Coleman County is home to five closed coal mines, Eastland County contains 13 closed coal mines and Stephens County has 8 closed coal mines in the region. Significant agricultural crops are in place throughout the region and discussed in detail in the CEDS Agriculture section. There is limited rainfall in the region; the annual rainfall is less than 29 inches in all areas of the region. Irrigation is necessary and Aquifer Recharge Areas are prevalent in the region. Oil production continues in the region. In Spring 2010, major oil wells were successfully drilled and activated in Brown, Jones and other area counties.
Pollution and solid waste disposal are issues in West Central Texas. Illegal dumping on open land and waterways has created hazardous and petroleum waste sites throughout the region. Harsh land usage over the years has resulted in solid waste issues. Five Superfund locations, located in Eastland, Knox, Mitchell, and Taylor counties, are currently identified by the State of Texas and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Investigation and cleanup is currently underway in the area.
West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) leads the region's effort to address the environmental issues of the region associated with waste management, including better enforcement around illegal dumping, efforts to impact recycling and waste reduction, implementation of education and training programs, improvement of household hazardous waste management, and improved scrap tire collection and disposal. The region, represented by the WCTCOG, has in place a 20-year Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP). Revised in 2007, the Plan contains actionable strategies for achieving goals adopted by the WCTCOG Executive Committee and the West Central Texas Natural Resource Committee, including:
- Goal 1: Regionally assure adequate levels of transportation and disposal capabilities
- Goal 2: Develop local source reduction, waste minimization, reuse, recycling, and composting programs to conserve disposal capacity and resources
- Goal 3: Develop programs to assist regional and local entities in controlling and stemming illegal and improper disposal uses
- Goal 4: Develop regional cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally suitable waste management systems
According to recent analysis, the region has made significant progress in recycling and waste reduction, including increases in recycling and waste diversion efforts such as workplace and school-based recycling programs. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and WCTCOG are also active in funding backyard composting and household hazardous waste programs to help the region address environmental concerns.