What is Illegal Dumping?

Illegal dumping is disposing of waste in unauthorized or un-permitted areas. Illegal dumping is commonly found in uninhabited desert areas, open lots, along roadways, in alleys and at construction sites. Most illegal dumping is done to avoid either disposal fees at landfills or the time and effort required for proper disposal. 
Serious health risks may be associated with illegal dumping. Children are more susceptible to physical and chemical hazards present at many illegal dumpsites. Illegal dumped debris may also attract rodents, insects and other vermin. Discarded tires provide ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes. Fires at illegal dumps can attribute to property damage and threaten air quality. Illegally dumping debris can block drainage canals which in turn cause flooding during our seasonal rains.
Cameron County is very serious about illegal dumping and is asking every county resident to abide by the rules or take the risk of paying a hefty fine. Please help us keep our environment clean.
Fines
Texas Litter Abatement Act
• Class c Misdemeanor – If the amount dumped weighs 5 pounds or less or has volume of 5 gallons or less, the maximum penalty is a fine not to exceed $500.

•Class B Misdemeanor – If the amount dumped weights more than 5 pounds but less than 500 pounds or has a volume of more than 5 gallons but less than 100 cubic feet, the maximum penalty is a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both fine and confinement.

• Class A Misdemeanor – If the amount dumped weighs 500 pounds or more, but less than 1,000 pounds, or has a volume of 100 cubic feet or more, but less than five pounds but less than 200 pounds or has a volume of more than 5 gallons but less than 200 cubic feet, the maximum penalty is a fine no to exceed $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both fine and confinement.

• State Jail Felony – If the amount dumped weights 1,000 pounds or more or has volume of 200 cubic feet or more OR if it was disposed for a commercial purpose and weighs 200 pounds or more or has a volume of 200 cubic feet or more, or it contained in a closed barrel or drum, the maximum penalty is confinement in a state jail for not more than two years, but not less than 180 days, additionally an individual may also be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000. 

• If it is shown on the trail of the defendant for an offense for illegal dumping that the person was previously convicted of an offense of illegal dumping, the punishment for the offense is increased to the punishment for the next highest category.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED!             
Illegal Dumping: 
County Sheriff's 1-956-554-6700
District Attorney 956-544-0849
TCEQ- Investigations section (512) 239-3405 TCEQ Hotline 1-800-832-8224