In January 1995, Hardin County Beautiful Clean organized as a response to critical issues identification by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The organization has experienced great success. In 1996 Deputy Franklin was hired as Hardin County's first LItter Law Enforcement Officer. During his first year 341 littering sites were investigated. 15,413 lbs. of trash were removed due to enforcement.
Education is a priority component of successful waste management.
As a resutl of funding by H.E.B. Grocery, the Texas Gneral Land Office, and Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation to Kountze Middle School, money was made available for the design and duplication of LItter Law brochures. It is the purpose of this project to educate the public by sharing knowledge of the litterlaws. Theseoffenses are a Class C misdemeanor unless the violator has been previously convicted, then the offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Injurious Substance on Highway - A person commits an offense if that person throws or depostis on a highway a glass bottle, glass, a nail, a tack, wire, a can, or any other substance likely to injure a person, animal, or vehicle on the highway. Liability of Operator of Boat or Motor Vehicle A Class C misdemeanor is committed if a person operating a boat or motor vehicle throws litter from the vehicle into the state's inland or coastal waters or onto a public highway.