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.
Successful solid waste grant procurement based on area need is currently providing education to the population so citizens understand the repercussions of waste to the area. Volunteer cleanups are active in multiple counties to collect litter. Recycling efforts in the region are frustrated due to lack of a recycling center in close proximity to area towns and cities.
A recent environmental assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide collective identification of hazardous environments for the first time in the region. The WCTEDD CEDS Survey queried respondents and found that 68.9% had community environmental concerns which needed remediation to address abandoned gasoline stations, vacant asbestos-filled buildings, landfills, former crack houses and other structural concerns. Additional funding is needed for recycling efforts, environmental awareness, environmental hazardous remediation, and for petroleum assessment and remediation in the region.
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.
Successful solid waste grant procurement based on area need is currently providing education to the population so citizens understand the repercussions of waste to the area. Volunteer cleanups are active in multiple counties to collect litter. Recycling efforts in the region are frustrated due to lack of a recycling center in close proximity to area towns and cities.
A recent environmental assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide collective identification of hazardous environments for the first time in the region. The WCTEDD CEDS Survey queried respondents and found that 68.9% had community environmental concerns which needed remediation to address abandoned gasoline stations, vacant asbestos-filled buildings, landfills, former crack houses and other structural concerns. Additional funding is needed for recycling efforts, environmental awareness, environmental hazardous remediation, and for petroleum assessment and remediation in the region.