Take a Class
Classes are provided around the state on a regular schedule. Participation is limited to government officials and staff. All classes provide continuing education credits to code enforcement officers and registered sanitarians (approved by the Department of State Health Services) and peace officers (TCLEOSE). All classes are personally developed and instructed by John Ockels, Ph.D., TIDRC Director.
Check the Schedule
Description of Classes Offered
Past Classes
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Click on an image for more information

Buy Books
We sell two books: the standard field guide used by Texas officers (256 pages) and a new overview text on the subject for all readers (114 pages). Together they provide virtually all of the information governments and citizens need to fight pollution with local resources.
Local Control of Illegal Dumping
Cleaning Up Your Community
Host a Class in Your City
Hosting a class in your city is easy and makes great economic sense, especially with today's tight budgets. This might be the easiest and least expensive way to assure that your officers get the information, and continuing education hours, they need.
How To Host a Class
Others Who Have Already Done It
Request a Class
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View Additional Resources
Here we post copies of relevant laws and rules, discussion papers on various topics, presentations, and our popular field guides for officers and officials. Feel free to download and use this material to fight local pollution with local resources.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions on illegal dumping and other forms of pollution, to discuss the political issues that surround local empowerment, to send us pictures of dumping, or just to have a private conversation about a situation. The people working on these issues around our state are absolutely amazing, and we love to hear from you. So tell us about your successes and challenges, and maybe we can help.

Unusual Dumping

Sharks Dumped Near Port Lavaca

Sharks dumped near Port Lavaca

Possible Violations

THSC Chapter 365.012(g)
State jail felony for commercial dumping any solid waste or littter weighing 200 pounds or more

TWC Section 7.145
Five year felony for disposing any waste or pollutant from a "point source" (i.e., in this case a truck) into or adjacent to water without a permit

Can you think of other possible violations?

Please send your pictures to
ockels@tidrc.org