FB Star Column Covers BRLF Expansion Fight (Attention residents of Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Pearland, etc...)--Click title link for more
2006 in review (Cheryl Skinner)
OK—I started to do one of those year in review things that all media outlets do each year to take up space and to allow reporters a day off for Christmas and New Year celebrations. But as I reviewed my stories for the year, I figured instead of 200 inches of copy, I could sum it up right here.
Year in review: primary elections; Congressman Tom DeLay chosen as Republican candidate; DeLay announces he will retire someday; DeLay announces he will probably retire in May or June; District 22 goes to court; District 22 falls apart; DeLay finally makes it official; District 22 falls apart—big time; Shelly whoever chosen as write-in candidate; Lampson wins real election; Shelly goes to Washington—for a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, residents of Richmond fight jail noise; residents of Fresno fight landfill expansion plans and prices for housing inmates out of county rise. That and tons of crime captured the headlines throughout the year. So, there it is in a nutshell. . . (click title link for more)
posted by responsible_dvlpmnt at Thursday, January 04, 2007
9 Comments:
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Background and threads from FBN and other tri-county sources:
Stavinoha Says County Won't Oppose Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion Plans
by Bob Dunn, Nov 28, 2006, 12 48 pm
Precinct 1 Commission Tom Stavinoha won’t be at a Dec. 7 public hearing on plans to more than double the size of Blue Ridge Landfill, but he said Tuesday he’ll deliver the message that Fort Bend County won’t oppose the expansion.
County officials reached a settlement agreement in 1992 with the owners of the original landfill, saying they would not seek party status in opposing the original permit, Stavinoha said in a letter to be presented at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality public hearing. “Fort Bend County, this year in 2006, will not seek party status in the expansion of the site,” the letter states.
At issue is an application by Blue Ridge Landfill owner BFI to expand the facility from its current 530-acre, 58-foot-high capacity to 784 acres, with refuse piled up to 170 feet high. The landfill sits on a total of 1,345 acres at 2200 F.M. 521, along Fort Bend County’s eastern edge a mile north of Fresno.
Some residents of Shadow Creek Ranch and surrounding neighborhoods have spoken out against the landfill expansion, as has state Rep. Dora Olivo, D-Richmond, who led an informal meeting of landfill opponents earlier this month at Willowridge High School.
TCEQ Executive Director Glenn Shankle has completed a technical review of BFI’s application and prepared a draft permit outlining conditions under which BFI could operate the expanded landfill, according to the agency’s web site. “The executive director has made a preliminary decision that this draft permit, if issued, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements,” the agency said.
Because BFI appears to be in regulatory compliance, Stavinoha said, he believes it’s unlikely neighborhood opponents of the expansion could stop it. He also believes BFI is taking measures to keep the landfill safe and environmentally sound.
And, BFI has contributed significant money to the county and the communities around Blue Ridge Landfill.
Stavinoha said Tuesday approval of the permit would give BFI (which is owned by waste management giant Allied Waste Industries Inc.) the ability to handle an additional 141 million cubic yards of material – or another 40 years of capacity.
Much of the material that fills the site comes from Harris County, Stavinoha said. But Fort Bend County gains 18 cents for each cubic yard that enters the landfill, no matter where it comes from. Those “tipping fees” amounted to between $400,000 and $500,000 for the county last year. And, said Stavinoha, “most if not all of those funds have been spent in the Fresno area where the landfill is located.”
If the expansion is approved, Stavinoha said, BFI has agreed to gradually increase the tipping fees it pays Fort Bend County – up to 30 cents per cubic yard.
The commissioner said under terms if an agreement with the waste management company, a 25-foot landscaped buffer zone would surround the landfill property. He said three feet of compacted clay covered with 60-mil polyethylene and topped with a leachate collection system forms the foundation of the landfill.
“Eventually, 49 water-monitoring devices will take samples of underground water around the perimeter of the landfill,” Stavinoha’s letter to the TCEQ says. “Odor-absorbing chemicals are sprayed over the landfill to neutralize offensive smell.”
And, he added, “next to the landfill is Shadow Creek Ranch. They are presently developing 3,500 acres between F.M. 521 and State Highway 288 as a residential community. Homes are selling in the $250,000 price range.”
One Shadow Creek Ranch resident, identified publicly only as “Anita,” has organized a group called the Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion, which has set up the CABRLE web site and is holding a meeting on the landfill issue at 7 p.m. tonight, at Quail Run Community Center, 16748 Quail Park Drive, in Missouri City.
“We need to report foul odors, litter, trucking issues, rodent issues or any other concerns related to the BFI Landfill immediately as they occur, every day if necessary,” the group says in one post, which includes a link to the TCEQ complaint form. “We need to be heard.”
1 anon - Nov 28, 01:41 pm
“most if not all of those funds have been spent in the Fresno area where the landfill is located.”
I sure hope the residents of this community appreciate the tipping fee and will get it to help defray potential future health costs. Stavinoha is not representing those that voted for him or their interest. If he were he would have opposed this one in much the same manner he did one out near his home.
I believe abc13 at 6p. is covering this tonight too. Call your commissioners and let them know you do not appreciate what they are not doing (representing you the voter/consumer/taxpayer).
2 jls - Nov 28, 02:11 pm
“next to the landfill is Shadow Creek Ranch. They are presently developing 3,500 acres between F.M. 521 and State Highway 288 as a residential community. Homes are selling in the $250,000 price range.”
Yes I wondered why Shadow Creek Ranch spent most of the summer building up the birm, adding large numbers of trees and a tall fence on the hwy 521 route across the street from the landfill. A good move but it won’t hide the potential smell or shared waterways concerns.
Don’t our commissioners and some Missouri City elected officials sound more like company executives than our representatives. Thank God for Dora, Nick and Ellis! We need our local boys to listen to us too!
3 Wonder some times - Nov 28, 03:40 pm
Shadow Creek Ranch knew the landfill was there BEFORE they started building and so did the “new” residents. Now they want to complain? Not a smart move to develop it in the first place . . . the smell is always there and no amount of odor-absorbing chemicals are going to make it go away. It is just like complaining about airplane noise when you built or bought your house next to the airport? What are people thinking?
4 anon - Nov 28, 04:01 pm
Sounds like “Wonder” needs to recheck some facts. Dozens of the communities were in that area before the landfill and sales people/developers don’t always report something as unattractive as that. Notice SCR started building near hwy 288 and then towards hwy 521 as they added screening areas to try and hide it. Of course you are also ignoring the waterways that are shared in the area by many communities and the potential size of this already huge landfill once it is complete. Of course “Wonder” your welcome to come to the 12/7 meeting and express your support for this FBEDC endorsed expansion (what are you thinking?). 17 stories of landfill isn’t too bad, right, even if it will be the highest structure in the county and keeps paying the tipping fee to the county…right? Or are you thinking?
5 Elena - Nov 28, 04:32 pm
“a 25-foot landscaped buffer zone would surround the landfill”
Wow.
17 stories of trash surrounded by a lush
25 feet of landscaping! That’s almost as long as my master bedroom.
This proposal is ludicrous.
The 15 year old “deal” to allow expansion, regardless of the citizens wishes—an agreement made when longhorn still roamed Fort Bend County— is not relevent to today’s realities.
FBC residents, let’s get on board & support our neighbors on the 7th.
Elena
6 Chris Calvin, Ph.D. - Nov 28, 05:29 pm
Elena,
Thanks so much. That is exactly the type of support that is needed, our neighbors/homeowners/voters/taxpayers and friends.
We need everyones help with some of our elected officials turning their backs! I wonder if we could build 4-5 Reliant arenas around it to hide it or a really large birm? . . . ;-)
Recycle if you can!
7 rcocheu - Nov 28, 06:48 pm
Let me start out with the statement. This is not an endorsement of expansion or a condemnation of expansion. I just want to review some facts, ask some very simple questions from both sides of the issue, and point out some interesting political observations regarding all of this. FIrst lets look at the entire timeline of this application.
It was filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on 01/25/2006. A notice of public meeting was mailed 06/07/2006 and the meeting was held on 07/06/2006. Preliminary approval was published on 11/09/2006. My first question is this:
Where was all this outcry back in July when the first public meeting was held? Where was our owe so concerned state rep from Dist. 17? Also, did Congressmen elect Lampson suddenly see the light on this issue then? This would have made a great campaign stop for him.
Point number two. “I Wonder” has a point, I’m sorry Shadow Creek Residents are buying houses across a highway from a landfill. It’s called due dilligence, do it before you buy.
Point three. I measured the distance to Teal Run (the second closest neighborhood to the landfill after Shadow Creek). It is approximately 3 to 4 miles depending on the route you take. For arguments sake, we’ll say three. Sienna is much further. Lastly, I have now lived in Teal Run for 13 years and I count on one hand the number of times I have been able to smell the landfill from my nieghborhood, none of them recent.
Now for political musings. My opinion is that this is typical Representative Olivo opportunity politicing. WHERE has she been on addressing the school funding issue? That issue affects all of us much more than this ever will. Why do I have to sit in traffic on FM 521 (a state road) for more than 30 minutes every morning? The road is in her district and has needed a major upgrade for several years, yet it is not even planned for yet. Congressman elect Lampson needs an issue to establish himself in the district (politics rule 1 – all politics is local). Remember he moved here from Beaumont to unseat Tom Delay. Looks like he found an issue.
As I said in the beginning, this is a look at the facts only. This is like school zoning, emotions sometimes override logic. Think about it.
8 John Cobarruvias - Nov 28, 09:25 pm
Not only are you folks stupid in Fort Bend, you are now going to smell!
But seriously, sorry to hear about this. That is just garbage!
9 anon - Nov 29, 04:10 am
“Point number two. “I Wonder” has a point, I’m sorry Shadow Creek Residents are buying houses across a highway from a landfill. It’s called due dilligence, do it before you buy.”
Mr. Rcocheu,
These really are double-bind questions meant to bait a response. The fact is many more older communities in that tri-county area have been complaining if you ck with the TCEQ about this fill (see the original piece in the Chronicle about this). Also ground water contamination is the big issue, not the smell. Sewage (or leachate—garabage juice run-off) is the real problem and according to experts is the real threat (see http://www.gfredlee.com/landfill.htm).
Finally, Mr. Lampson was invited by us to attend the TCEQ mtg and possibly speak up. He didn’t contact us. We contacted him along with numerous other elected officials, some now speaking up for the landfill company, not their constituents….the real shame!
(as for dist rep. 17, thank God Dora woke us up on this one, as you already know rarely are NIMBYs timed perfectly and I believe members of the community invited her involvement, not the other way around)
PS—People in this community did fight the original placement of this landfill back in ’93 (do some background on it).
10 Matthew Feinberg - Nov 29, 08:27 am
Something smells here and it is not the landfill. Anyone check to see if BFI employees/execs have made political contributions in the area?
11 newpoint estates resident - Nov 29, 11:00 am
Why wouldn’t Stavinoah be at that December 7th meeting?.If he was concerned, he might attend. Remember that when it comes to vote. I know I will.
12 anonymous - Nov 29, 02:03 pm
Newpoint,
I wouldn’t expect to see any of the local elected officials from Missouri City or the county, other than our state rep, senator and possibly our new congressman. The people that accept contributions from the special interest and are told what to do by the EDC boys have no concern now that major elections have ended.
Besides Stavinoha admits he is supporting this absurd expansion. I believe many of the protesting homeowners will be out at the land fill Thursday evening from 4pm until sunset if you wanna come and make your voice heard! I would hope that if the company really wants to be a good neighbor, as they claim, that they would offer some sort of compromise on the expansion. Instead of 17 stories, how about just half? Of course that will still make it the highest structure in FBC. Maybe they could sell tickets as one of those area side-shows. . . ;-)
13 Tim Gash - Nov 29, 11:50 pm
I am a SCR resident who did not research enough before purchasing, and who is also involved in trying to stop this expansion. As others have stated, the smell and un-sightliness of the proposed expansion is small potatoes compared to the possible ground water contamination. At www.ejnet.org/rachel/rhwn037.htm Enviromental Research Foundation web site states that the EPA has argued in the Federal Register as early as Feb 5 1981, again on May 26 1981, and again July 26 1981, that all landfills will eventually leak. Not due to faulty installation or poor maintenance, but due to the nature of construction and exptancy of leachate systems in the long term. Above all else, it is the depth of the land fill that worries me. I urge anyone with questions or concerns to check out this web site. I believe that Stavinoha should come out on Dec 7 and tell us why he thinks BFI is such a good neighbor. Please re-cycle.
14 anon - Nov 30, 07:57 pm
Tim,
IMHO you better keep an eye on what your developer run HOA is trying to do. Check in with the coalition (CABRLF) and limit posting your full name. Black lists seem to be back in fashion and with the new enforcement CCRs and the hands-off nature of the local public officials (who get many, many EDC related contributions). . . well just watch out. These aren’t the people who just keep the yards mowed anymore.
These developers are members of the EDC and apparently BFI was trying to meet with your HOA board (controlled by the SCR developer, an EDC member no doubt).
Keep an eye out. They don’t play fair! You can count on that!
Only more reason to get involved and fight this EDC endorsed, BRLF expansion. . .
15 521 - Dec 2, 01:51 pm
I don’t know about you all but I can’t imagine a pile of garbage that high or all the leakage (garbage juice) that will create. I agree with you Tim, the real threat is to ground water contaminants. It does make you wonder why commissioners in the early 90s let the site open knowing the growth was coming and all the current residents now living in that area (many who predate the waste site).
I won’t be drinking the water anymore!
16 rodrigo carreon - Dec 3, 09:24 am
(Fresno in Pct #1) is known as one of the top polluted areas in Fort Bend for smell, contaminated water and air. High enviornmental security in Fresno, but improvements has been delayed. Health on the line? Only, With high increases and changes on appraisal valuation has been taking place on Homestead Exempts properties. Values up to & over the State 10% annual value increase limit.
17 Harold Jackson - Dec 3, 01:38 pm
Rodrigo Carreon for 2008 rematch with Tommy D. Stavinoa for Fort Bend Comish 1!!
18 anon - Dec 4, 05:26 am
See updates at http://cabrle.spaces.live.com/ for latest news and activities:
Monday December 4th at 4:00 (raindate 12/6)
PUBLIC PROTEST AT BLUE RIDGE LANDFILL
2200 FM521, Fresno, TX
Tuesday December 5th at 7:00pm
CABRLE Meeting
Quail Run Community Center
16748 Quail Park Drive
Missouri City, TX 77489
Thursday December 7th at 7:00PM
TCEQ PUBLIC MEETING
Blue Ridge Elementary School
6241 McHard Road
Houston, TX 77053
19 hot - Dec 7, 05:31 am
Get out to the TCEQ hearing tonight and help stop this landfill expansion!
hursday December 7th at 7:00PM
TCEQ PUBLIC MEETING
Blue Ridge Elementary School
6241 McHard Road
Houston, TX 77053
20 Robert Cocheu - Dec 7, 07:31 am
Anon,
Are they double blind? Give your responses. If the issue is that important my questions deserve an answer. Once again I am not in favor or oppossed to expansion. I just question the timing of our State Rep and Congressman-elect.
21 anon - Dec 7, 10:11 am
Your questions were responded too, but you just ignore them. Often when people don’t get the responses they solicit in these threads they claim they’ve either been defamed or their concerns weren’t addressed. Dora, Ellis & Lampson, along with many other politicians were invited to get involved. Those that support the EDC and back the landfill expansion to nearly 170+ feet in height (claiming it is somehow an economic boom for this area) are ducking the public outrage and those that will eventually go back to the polls to elect/or not those hiding. Lets face it Robert, you know as well as I the small clique that run this and probably most Houston area counties…
More questions?
22 BILLYE BRIDGES - Dec 7, 08:07 pm
JUST IN CASE THERE IS SOME FROM THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER THAT READ THIS. HERE IS THE WAY IT WORKS. THE WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER HAS THE BIG LIBRARY, THE FORT BEND COUNTY JAIL, FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE COMPLEX AND ALSO THE NEW ONE THAT YOU JUST VOTED ON, DIDN’T KNOW THAT, HUH? THE FORT BEND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, FORT BEND COUNTY EMS. NOW THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER HAS THE BLUERIDGE DUMP ON 2234 OR MCCARD RD. AND ALMEDA OR 521 BUT, WHERE DOES MOST OF THE TAXES TO BUILD COME FROM? DON’T KNOW. SUGARLAND, MISSOURI CITY, STAFFORD, FIRST COLONY, AREA ON HWY 59. BOY YOU ARE LUCKY TO LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE.
FIRST EARLY YEARS ALL DEMOCRATES, NEXT 20 YEARS REPUBLICANS WHO CAN WE BLAME? HOW ABOUT YOU AND ME.
23 anon - Dec 8, 05:04 am
It was a packed house last night. Only two hands went up when hundreds were asked if they supported the landfill. Hopefully the TCEQ will here the taxpayers. Here is more coverage on this from KHOU. Dozens of speakers signed up but were cut short by the moderator.:
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou061207_gj_landfill.7619f98.html
24 mjr - Dec 8, 09:13 am
R. Cocheu-
I am a SCR resident and I did my research into the landfill prior to buying. The expansion was made public AFTER I had already closed (remember, up until this time, the process is secret). The current scope of the landfill did not bother me because it is consistent with the other landfills in the area (i.e. the landfill under Wildcat Golf Club). The difference being this landfill is a mega-landfill (170 feet height) and will be seen from 5-6 miles in all directions (something equivalent to Reliant Stadium). This expansion is absurd given the surrounding development taking place.
Regarding your point on the FM521 road, what impact do you think having an additional 900 trash trucks per day on this section of road have on your morning commute (this is what the BFI permit claims in the traffic study)?
25 rr borden - Dec 8, 01:54 pm
I will not buy in Shadow Creek as I have planned to do for the last three months. This is a deal breaker.
26 anon - Dec 9, 10:52 am
Apparently the GM for the local facility lives in Shadow Creek Ranch. At least he can watch the mound grow into a skyscraper too!
27 JRP - Dec 11, 04:07 pm
My wife and I are to close at the end of this month in SCR. We were not informed of the landfill until our neighbour told us last Wednesday 12/8/06. Why were we not told about this by the sales agent? We have 20k on the line and will gladly walk away from this deal.
28 hot - Dec 19, 06:46 pm
JRP,
It is my hope that you will move in and get active in helping CABRLE and the coalition communities committed to halting this absurd expansion that may negatively impact our quality of life in east FBC!
29 anon - Dec 29, 06:30 am
More recent updates:
http://www.fortbendweb.com/webapp/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=710#topcomment
http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17639272&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532245&rfi=6
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/2006/12/allen-owen-mo-city-mayor-responds-to_28.html
http://www.fortbendstar.com/122706/n_Missouri%20City%20wont%2
0oppose%20Blue%20Ridge%20landfill%20expansion.htm
more:
Opponents To Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion Pack TCEQ Hearing
by Bob Dunn, Dec 08, 2006, 10 56 am
About 175 people converged on Blue Ridge Elementary School to express their opposition Thursday before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the proposed expansion of Blue Ridge Landfill.
If anything, that opposition appeared to strengthen during a public hearing, as environmental attorney Richard Morrison revealed through questioning of landfill officials that increased levels of barium have been discovered at the facility.
At the start of Thursday night’s hearing, a man in the crowd stood up and asked for a show of hands of those for and against the proposed landfill expansion.
Only two people raised their hands in favor of the proposal.
The hearing was part of the TCEQ application process for Blue Ridge Landfill TX LP, a subsidiary of industry giant Allied Waste, which operates the landfill at 2200 F.M. 521, a mile north of Fresno in Fort Bend County.
The operators want to increase the landfill “waste footprint” from the current 302 acres to 784 acres, and increase the maximum height at which refuse can be piled, from the current 58 feet to 170 feet.
“Landfills are not easy to fight,” state Rep. Dora Olivo, D-Richmond, told the crowd. “It’s good to see so many of you here.”
It was evident that several people in attendance had been unaware of Allied’s expansion plans, despite the fact the company has been working with the state on its application for several months. TCEQ found the application to be “administratively complete” in February, and “technically complete” in October. TCEQ has issued a “draft permit” already, but Allied can’t begin work on the expansion until and unless the three TCEQ commissioners vote to issue a final permit.
The state agency held an earlier public hearing on the project in July, although a TCEQ engineer said Thursday night not nearly as many people had been in attendance at the first hearing.
Some audience members suggested that may be because the state didn’t serve adequate notice of the proceedings.
One resident of nearby Brazoria County said she only learned of Thursday’s public hearing after a neighbor went door-to-door alerting people of the event.
Responding to another resident’s question, attorney John Williams, representing TCEQ Executive Director Glenn Shankle, said the agency was only required to notify residents within 500 feet. The audience groaned audibly at that statement.
Morrison, who represents a group of area residents who oppose the project – the Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion – waited in line for his turn to address TCEQ and Allied Waste officials during a question-and-answer session at the hearing. He then posed a series of questions about barium, a metallic element that acts as a nerve poison in water-soluble compounds.
“My question is, if you have a statistically significant increase in barium…does it suggest the landfill could be leaking?” Morrison asked. “This question is for the applicant: Have you had an exceedance of barium?”
“Yes we have,” said Allied Waste Project Development Manager Gary McCuistion, as some in the audience gasped.
Asked if the barium exceedance had been “statistically significant,” McCuistion replied, “Yes.” He added that the company’s research leads it to believe the barium increase was the result of “a naturally occurring event.”
“I don’t buy it,” Morrison said in an interview during the hearing. He said other monitoring sites at the landfill would have recorded increased barium levels if it were a natural event, but the increase only showed up at one monitoring well.
During a break at the hearing, Olivo said she was shocked over the revelation that an increase in barium had been detected at the existing landfill, and said she intends to submit written comments to TCEQ about their ability to adequately monitor aspects of the landfill as they relate to health issues.
In written comments Morrison submitted Thursday to TCEQ, he said there are “over 80 water wells within one mile of the expansion and located directly south. The owners of these water wells are residents of Fresno. They depend on the water wells for drinking and bathing.
“In November of 2005 the applicant experienced a statistically significant exceedance of barium…at the southeast corner of the existing landfill,” Morrison said in the written comments. “It is certainly some evidence that the current landfill is already leaking. The residents of Fresno are entitled to learn about the transport of barium over the next 40 years in the water table.”
While other participants at the hearing questioned officials over groundwater issues, more addressed odor.
“A concern I have had for some time is the smell,” one woman said. “What do you intend to do for those of us in this area? I’m three miles from here and it smells where I live now. ...On a hot summer day, it stinks.”
Mitch Noto said he has been Allied’s general manager of the landfill for two years, and lives in nearby Shadow Creek Ranch. Until the public became aware of plans to expand the facility, “there were zero complaints” about the smell.
Noto provided details of the processes and systems in place to mitigate odor, and to detect leaking gas. He said since he’s assumed his job, the company has spent $1.5 million to upgrade some of those systems. He added that he would not have chosen to live adjacent to the landfill if he didn’t have complete confidence in its monitoring systems.
Williams and Morrison indicated that the only avenue left to opponents of the proposed expansion would involve convincing the TCEQ to hold a contested-case hearing.
Morrison said questions over the barium levels could form the basis of such a hearing. But it’s likely a David vs. Goliath undertaking.
“They’ll spend millions to get this thing done,” Morrison said of Allied Waste.
1 Chris Calvin, Ph.D. - Dec 8, 12:29 pm
“If anything, that opposition appeared to strengthen during a public hearing, as environmental attorney Richard Morrison revealed through questioning of landfill officials that increased levels of barium have been discovered at the facility.”
This, along with the methane and sulphur problems should be a sign to the TCEQ that they must fulfill their primary mission in protecting the public and not running interference for BFI.
It was clear last night to the hundreds in attendance what was going on and the experts who spoke had apparently seen this many time before with our tax supported governmental agency.
Who are they working for anyway and where were any of our commissioners?
2 John Cobarruvias - Dec 9, 09:34 am
Way to go Richard Morrison! You guys have a great environmental attorney on your side!
From experience here in clear Lake, that is the ONLY way you can fight the TCEQ and the landfill, through an attorney. The TCEQ is there to make sure the process is performed, not whether the process is right or wrong, or if the process has discovered any wrong doing.
Do your selves a favor, raise some money and hire Richard!
Heres hoping for the best!
3 anon - Dec 9, 10:48 am
John,
Check out the video in this link and watch what a company does that really cares about being a good neighbor
http://www.texasdisposal.com/
TDS goes far and above the minimal RQs of the TCEQ in its processes to protect the public. Try to get to the next hearing (contested hopefully) by visiting the http://cabrle.spaces.live.com/ website.
4 rodrigo carreon - Dec 9, 02:38 pm
Who was here First?
Fresno (Res)sub-division has been here First, since the 1950’s, from Mchard Rd. (2234 FM )to HWY 6, in Houstons ETJ.
5 hot - Dec 10, 07:22 am
Good one Carreon! I agree, many of those older more established neighborhoods have been in that area before the landfill (using the same logic some post here with). It was just good to see so many of them present at the TCEQ hearing Thursday and speaking up. I wonder who those two gentlemen were that raised their hands in favor of the expansion and that KHOU coverage comparing the growing mound to a downtown Houston skyscraper was really an eye opener. If the company wants to really be the “good neighbor” they claim I think they would make a compromise offer at least (say only a max of 85 ft or less). Naturally this would create great difficulty for them with their buddies at the TCEQ. After all they would have to rewrite and submit the application and that may take too much effort. . . ;-)
6 ATTEND - Dec 14, 05:31 pm
The first Willowridge meeting notice was never scheduled on the CHRONICLE FOR NEEDS to all public to come. Only Blue Ridge schedule was listed and prited on the (classiffied) CHRON.
Morrison Claims Landfill Application Deficient Over Flawed Transportation Plan
by Bob Dunn, Dec 11, 2006, 07 04 am
An environmental attorney contends in a document filed with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality that an application for the expansion of Blue Ridge Landfill is deficient because it relies on a flawed analysis of transportation issues.
Richard Morrison represents a group of area residents – known as Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion – opposed to expansion of the facility, at 2200 F.M. 521, a mile north of Fresno in Fort Bend County.
In a public hearing on Thursday, Morrison revealed through questioning of landfill officials that a “statistically significant” increase in barium was detected at one monitoring well at the landfill in November 2005.
Morrison said in written comments to TCEQ Executive Director Glenn Shankle that the barium spike is evidence the landfill in its current state is leaking, posing a risk to 80 water wells a mile and a half away in Fresno, as water-soluble barium compounds are poisonous.
The issue Morrison raises over Blue Ridge Landfill TX L.P.‘s transportation analysis may represent a more serious threat to the Allied Waste subsidiary’s attempt to expand the landfill and extend its useful life for another 40 years.
However, a project manager for Allied indicated Morrison failed to account for the fact that trucks other than those owned and operated by Allied will enter and leave the landfill, and Allied has little control over the routes they take.
Also, Project Development Manager Gary McCuistion reiterated his statement from last week on the increased levels of barium, saying “we feel very confident” it represents a naturally occurring event.
At stake for Allied is the continued operation of one of only two major landfills in Fort Bend County. Without being able to expand the facility from its current 302-acre “waste footprint,” where refuse is permitted to be piled up to 58 feet high, the landfill will be full in 13 years. The company has applied to increase the footprint to 784 acres, and to pile refuse up to 170 feet high.
Many residents of surrounding neighborhoods, such as Shadow Creek Ranch and Fresno, say what’s at stake for them is maintaining the value of their homes or their ability to obtain clean drinking water, and to maintain an acceptable quality of life in the face of what some believe will become at best a stinking nuisance.
An extensive monitoring system is in place currently, and would be expanded along with the landfill, designed to detect gas leaks and any seepage from the landfill into ground water. The landfill’s general manager, Mitch Noto, said last week he moved into Shadow Creek Ranch, near the landfill, in part because of his complete confidence of the facility’s monitoring systems.
But residents raised a variety of objections to the expansion on Thursday, and Morrison showed up at the hearing on CABRLE’s behalf.
A Democrat who once ran against Tom DeLay for Congressional District 22, Morrison raised 11 issues in the comments he filed with the TCEQ. His intent is to convince the agency it should call a contested-case hearing over the landfill expansion application.
As Morrison noted in his comments, Both Fort Bend County and Missouri City entered into similar settlement agreements with Blue Ridge Landfill. Under both agreements, the landfill height is limited to 170 feet.
Also, under the Missouri City agreement, trucks hauling waste to the landfill are directed to “avoid” roads passing through the city, including Lake Olympia Boulevard, F.M. 2234 (Texas Parkway) west of F.M. 521, Lexington Boulevard, Independents Boulevard, University Boulevard, Buffalo Trail, Sienna Parkway, Trammel-Fresno Road and an “unnamed ‘ring road’ that will come out of the Riverstone development to connect to the toll road, Lake Shore Harbour Drive and Cartwright.”
Instead, trucks are directed to use State Highway 6, Beltway 8 or the toll road to drive to and from the landfill, the agreement states.
However, Morrison says the landfill application expansion identifies secondary access routes to the landfill as including F.M. 2234, F.M 3345 and Trammel-Fresno Road.
“Because the settlement agreement requires trucks controlled by the applicant to use Highway 6 and not use F.M. 2234, F.M. 3345 and Trammel-Fresno Road, the applicant’s analysis is flawed,” Morrison said in his comments to the TCEQ. “The application is deficient.”
McCuistion said Allied had to do its best in its state application “to look at the total traffic impacted” by the landfill operation. That includes trucks belonging to other companies, which haul waste into Blue Ridge Landfill.
He said Blue Ridge Landfill reached agreements with Missouri City and Fort Bend County, but other waste haulers who user the landfill did not. Thus other companies’ trucks are not bound by those agreement terms.
The TCEQ has been working with Allied on its application for months. It found the application to be “administratively complete” in February, and “technically complete” in October. TCEQ has issued a “draft permit” already, but Allied can’t begin work on the expansion until and unless the three TCEQ commissioners vote to issue a final permit.
McCuistion said the company itslf actually has been working on the expansion plans since 1999, when presented a proposal to the county and Missouri City. That proposal originally included a stipulation that the landfill be allowed to pile refuse more than 200 feet high, he said, but city and county officials extracted an agreement to limit the height to 170 feet.
Officials from the TCEQ conducted last week’s hearing mainly to obtain public comments – such as what Morrison submitted – to be added to the public record. That process could take months, officials said, and if the agency finds a contested-case hearing is warranted, a final decision on the application could be as much as two years away.
Other points Morrison raised as representative of the opposition group of residents include:
→ “If the landfill expansion creates or maintains a nuisance condition, will the issuance of a land use compatibility determination be inconsistent with the laws, rules and policies of the state of Texas?”
→ “If the area surrounding the expansion is residential and agricultural, and it is likely that the landfill will interfere with the use and enjoyment of the surrounding lands; can it be compatible with surrounding land uses?”
→ “If the area surrounding the proposed expansion is experiencing some of the highest residential growth rates in the country, can the proposed expansion be compaitble with growth trends in the area?”
→ “If the site will be in proximity to at least 5,000 residents, three schools and three churches, can it be compatible with surrounding land use?”
→ “If the application has not addressed the transportation issues that will arise because of the agreement with Missouri City, how will an increase in traffic adversely affect surrounding landowners, residents and others who work in the area?”
→ “If the proposed expansion will be visible for miles and the proposed buffer and screening are woefully inadequate given the height, can the proposed expansion by visually compatible with its surrounding?”
→ “The applicant has identified over 80 water wells within one mile of the expansion. If the site is already experiencing a leak, should the application be granted?”
→ “If the operator has a history of noncompliance at this and other facilities, should the application be denied or should the application require close cruitiny of the proposals and information submitted by the applicant?”
→ “If the surface water controls are inadequate to protect surrounding land use and flood plains, should be application be granted?”
→ “If the expansion violates the restriction on height set forth in the settlement agreements with Missouri City and Fort Bend COunty, should the amendment be granted?”
→ “If the daily operations at the current landfill fail to control odors and vectors, is the site operating plan for the expansion sufficient?”
1 Chris Calvin, Ph.D. - Dec 11, 10:07 am
After attending the TCEQ hearing it was obvious that problems exist at the current site (see Barium release in the article and links above). Another expert was very concerned about the compaction process being used and the release of sulphur and other contaminates at a proposed 17 story site. I also wonder when and why our city and county officials knew about the recent high Barium release and didn’t keep the public informed?
Hopefully TCEQ will move forward on a contested hearing! Thanks Bob for covering this. . .
Visit CABRLE for more at: http://cabrle.spaces.live.com/
_________
Committee for Responsible Development—Missouri City/Sienna Plantation
2 hoter - Dec 11, 11:01 am
Those that did not know about these issues or risks needed to attended this meeting to smell.
3 John Cobarruvias - Dec 11, 11:04 am
you guys are lucky to have Richard Morrison on your side!
Fight em till hell freezes over! Then fight em on the ice!
4 anonymous - Dec 11, 12:25 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more on this John. The more we learn about this proposal and how the recent Nov. ’05 Barium leak was kept from all of us, the more angry I get. Why didn’t the commissioners, TCEQ or Missouri City officials, along with the Health dept. keep us informed on such a risk to our community. The company has admitted that this happened but now what are they going to do to clean it up and stop it from recurring again. With all the current and projected residents in this area how can the GFEDC even think this is some sort of positive growth land use? It’s interesting that the homeowner run HOAs in the area have spoken up on this issue but the developer’s haven’t. . . hum. . . something smells and it’s not the landfill this time!!!
Has anyone checked to see if any of the company officials are regular givers to our wonderful county/city elected officials?
5 had enough? - Dec 11, 02:53 pm
John Cobarruvias is a pseudonym for David Van Os.
6 Maintainer - Dec 11, 07:23 pm
How are they to repair these leacks underneath tons of landfill.
Dig like ants?
7 anon - Dec 12, 08:37 am
See this update:
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/2006/12/pearland-city-council-opposes-brlf.html
8 mjr - Dec 14, 01:15 pm
Question: BFI reported the barium levels were naturally occurring. Did anyone from the State verify or confirm those results? “Self reporting” is a joke unless there is regulatory oversite and real penalties for non-compliance.
9 anon - Dec 14, 02:27 pm
I believe, the answer reported and what I heard at the session was that the levels were statistically significant, but the company explanation was that they were naturally occurring. I think if it was more closely investigated you would find that at the levels reported and location it would be highly irregular if it was really a natural source (I believe that was the point Morrison was trying to make).
10 Van - Dec 18, 12:15 am
Only being a chemist, not a geologist, I’d be willing to bet the family farm that barium is not a naturally occurring element in this area of Texas. If there is this odd barium, what else would turn up if tested properly? I do know that there are several old chemical dumps from the oil industry in this county. Some were most probably placed on TDCJ land where the public would not see it being done. Did I say TDCJ land? I meant former TDCJ land, since most is being turned over to developers who don’t give a rat’s rump what’s under the ground as long as they can get their money and run. It’s amazing to me that this county hasn’t had a major health problem or explosion yet.
11 hot - Dec 18, 05:06 am
Van,
The newer communities haven’t been here very long but many of the older ones know the water problems and constant water warnings we get from TCEQ, at least in east FBC.
Thanks for clarifying on the Barium (I think a statistically significant release says it all from the story above). It has me and my family looking!
I’m glad someone is pointing these things out.
12 jovi c. bautista - Dec 23, 11:34 am
i am a SCR resident. i was not aware of the blue ridge landfill near scr until 2 days ago when a friend from fresno told me about this proposed expansion. most of the scr residents were not aware thus unable to attend those public meetings. it is really disappointing that the homeowners association and SCR developer did not dissiminate this info to all the homeowners. more voices could have been heard on those meetings.
13 delta - Dec 23, 02:40 pm
Jovi,
This seems to be par for the course with controversial community issues and the GFBEDC (and the local governments they seem to heavily influence). More than likely the sales staff working closely with the SCR developer know that proposal, if widely known, would hurt sales. 30,000 live within a 4-5 mile radius of that facility and would have liked to have been kept better informed by some of our elected officials too, especially after the barium release last year that we weren’t told about! I’m sure those municipal tipping fees don’t hurt either. Recently mayor owen of missouri city affirmed the support they are relentless about after a 200k tipping fee was reported. Interesting who are elected officials seem to be representing here. Thanks Dora, CABLFE, Nick and those that have stood by the people!
14 lostcause - Dec 25, 12:31 pm
Unless residents wake-up and see who are pushing these projects and the harm it will cause, the same old fools will be elected year after year.
15 anon - Dec 28, 05:22 pm
Some of you might appreciate these recent updates:
http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17639272&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532245&rfi=6
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/2006/12/allen-owen-mo-city-mayor-responds-to_28.html
http://www.fortbendstar.com/122706/n_Missouri%20City%20wont%2
0oppose%20Blue%20Ridge%20landfill%20expansion.htm
more:
A Holiday Turkey At Blue Ridge (Landfill Controversy Brewing)
At this time of year we get warm and cozy thoughts about the coming holidays. Special memories of family and friends cuddled around the fireplace (ok not in South Texas) sharing stories of events that helped shape our relationships and broader community. Food, family, friends and sometimes football are the centerpieces of this season of joy and hope! A place called home serves as the focal point for most of us.
This year is no different. Our family is just like many others rushing around trying to fill the gift list and pick up last minute food and supplies for this yearly event. Some things are different though this year and have tainted the fuzzy feelings, and will forever scar our memories of this season of ’06. I don’t speak of the protracted SLAPP-suit here in our community by Houston’s Johnson Development Corp. in Pedro Ruiz’s courtroom, but of the brewing controversy at the BFI Blue Ridge Landfill.
Recently several local papers have been reporting on the pending TCEQ Contested Hearing to be held December 7th at 7pm on the Blue Ridge Elementary campus off McHard Road. The proposed plan, that is supported by some of our Missouri City council members, the FBEDC via Herb Appel & Tom Stavinhoa, our misguided county commissioner who just a few years ago fought against a landfill proposal near his home, are supporting this project that would more than double the size of this already behemoth Blue Ridge Waste Treatment Center and triple its current mountain size height. The contemporary terminology for these herculean, super-sized landfills is “mega-landfills” (not like super-sizing your drink at McDonalds though). These are the crowning jewel in any waste management’s investment portfolio. According to the reports, it will last up to 40 years and seemingly handle all our garbage needs in and out of the county!
On the flip side, a dozen neighborhoods and thousands of homeowners, taxpayers & residents of the area from Shadow Creek Ranch over to Sienna Plantation, Teal Run, Vicksburg, Quail Valley and many, many other developing and more established subdivisions are speaking up. This group is lead and supported by District 17 State Representative Dora Olivo who is actively representing her constituents in the area. The concerns range from current and future water conditions, which are already a problem in this section of the county, to air and other quality of life indicators, as well as the negative economic impact such a facility will have on the burgeoning retail & residential growth being brought by the Houston development companies now flourishing here in this post-rural part of the county (many of these companies are active members of the FBEDC). Apparently our county already ranks among the top 10 for actual numbers of landfills (active and inactive). Do we really need this project?
In this classic David versus Goliath debate, where the residents are facing a nationally known billion dollar corporation, one may ask why even bother? It doesn’t seem to be a question stopping these concerned voters and taxpayers. The question that I would like to ask is why are some of our local elected officials not on board with this fight that will shape this community for many holidays to come?
How’s that for a holiday Turkey. . . ?
Chris Calvin, Ph.D.
Committee for Responsible Development Co-chair
Sienna Plantation
1 newpoint estates resident - Nov 22, 06:42 am
BFi wants community support on this but they stopped service in our neighborhood because we were not profitable and on short notice as well. They do not seem like a good neighbor to me!
2 ARM - Nov 22, 08:31 am
Land fills are something people do not want to think about. People place trash in their bins, a truck picks it up and boom it is gone from their thoughts. Unfortunatly we can no longer put our head in a hole in the ground and pretend that trash just disappears. The Blue Ridge Landfill expansion is a scary prosal for not only our community but more importantly our enviroment and our planet. We must stop the expansion and in order to be successful in this fight we must wake our city council and our county commissioners office to what our wants, needs and desires are. We are the voters. We voted for city concil and county comissioner. They there for should be looking out for our interest and our communities interest rather than big business and their pocket books. Ft Bend is one of the fastest growing counties in the US. People move here for the wonderful community and offerings we have. A Mega Landfill will de tract from the wonderful community that we have created in Ft Bend County. I hope that many of you will be at the meeting to speak your opinions. Think about your children and your children’s children, let’s leave them with a beautiful community rather than one of waste and garbage.
3 anonymous - Nov 22, 08:47 am
This word just in from Nick Lampson’s office. The congressman-elect for CD-22 will be attending the controversial TCEQ hearing on the expansion of the Blue Ridge landfill near the Missouri City/Fresno area. This raises the bar on this already hotly debated local issue lead by district 17 state representative Dora Olivo. An unconfirmed rumor also has a district state senator scheduled to attend along with several environmental & public health lawyers. Apparently a petition drive has been circulating in several of the impacted neighborhoods, including one here in the Sienna Plantation area for this public meeting (we share two waterways directly with the landfill property). Reportedly the BFI company is seeking a permit that would allow the doubling in size and tripling in height of the current landfill deeming it a “mega-landfill”.
Our county commissioner Tom Stavinoha and several on the Missouri City council have come out in support of the expansion that may adversely impact this area thus complicating the concerns of many residents.
See this for more: http://www.fortbendweb.com/webapp/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=693#topcomment
4 Tara Jurica - Nov 22, 04:46 pm
A dump is a dump is a dump…...no matter what you call it, it is still one big giant pile of trash, and guess what, it STINKS! If you get downwind from that mountain of waste during warm weather, you are in for a real olfactory treat. I know that a landfill is not something that anyone wants in their area, and I feel that those of us who have lived here, and had this big mound of waste spring up like a restless volcano over the past few years are not happy with it, and we should make our displeasure over this future ski mountain(if we ever had snow) known to our elected officials. Although, lately it seems like many of our elected officials listen to what their comunity has to say about as well as my ten year old daughter….......and that, folks, is pretty much like the old saying “in one ear and out the other”.....
5 Chris Calvin, Ph.D. - Nov 23, 12:12 am
Just wanted to include a link to the TCEQ complaint site for those “smelly” days. We had one that nearly had us pull off the road just this past summer near Mo-City. Maybe the mayor, instead of throwing taxpayer money at a new PR image for the city should have opposed the placement and expansion of this landfill. Try this link below (it is an online form):
https://www2.tceq.state.tx.us/complaints/index.cfm
As for the elected officials, Tara, all you have to do is follow the money on that. It decides court cases, legislation, ordinances, etc. . . in a perfect world we could expect more, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to work for it. I for one am glad we do have some of the elected officials supporting the efforts to curb/stop this proposal. A mound of trash nearly the size of the Astrodome isn’t my idea of sound or safe waste management and certainly won’t serve as the next great attractor to Fort Bend county, contrary to the EDC . . .
6 parent too - Nov 23, 07:15 am
No one wants a landfill site near where they live, but we all throw out trash every week and it has to go somewhere. Perhaps we should be thinking of ways to reduce the number of bags of trash we put out each week. How many of you bag your lawn clippings and set them out for the garbage man? How about mulching the clippings and leaving them on the lawn. Plastic water bottles, soap bottles, cans and newspapers can be recycled. I know that some subdivisions have a pickup service for recycled items, but unfortunately, my Missouri City subdivision does not as it is apparently not cost effective I recycle as much as I can, but it would be so much easier to do if we had a pick up service. If we ALL created less waste we wouldn’t need to expand the landfill.
7 anon - Nov 23, 11:32 pm
Good point parent too. Everyone should make a effort to work on this at the micro-level. On the other hand I doubt the BRLF is only for east FBC garbage. I’ve talked to several who see the trucks come from all over and out-of-county too. I believe in the article above it states that FBC is one of the states top receivers of this type of waste.
I do agree that HOAs, businesses and cities who contract for their services could do more. I’ve even heard it suggested that incentives are offered in other states to encourage better personal waste mgmt (like lower bills for fewer cans and more recyled refuse).
I don’t think mega-landfills the size of skyscrapers is the answer though and will certainly harm the environment, property values as well as economic development in that region (have you ever smelled it?).
8 hot - Nov 25, 07:33 am
Here is the official site of the committee working to stop this landfill expansion:
http://cabrle.spaces.live.com/
9 Matthew Feinberg - Nov 25, 04:09 pm
Here is the problem. When this trash dump opened it was on the furthest out edge of Houston. Guess what? Houston and the surrounding areas grew.
With all the land available here why not open a new modern dump further outside the area. Why expand a dump that is now in the middle of our neighborhoods? Simply does not make any sense.
A modern facility should recycle as much waste as possible, it should reclaim the methane gas developed and use it to generate electricity or power the gas trucks. They also channel rain water to a filtering station to make sure waste chemicals do not make it in our water supply.
The same thing happened in NJ/NY years ago. The landfills in Staten Island and New Jersey became the center of town. Expansion would have been impossible because of the development around them.
This is an issue that the public can easily win. The local politicos should not support this absurd proposal to expand the landfill.
10 anon - Nov 26, 06:46 am
Hi All,
I just found this EPA complaint link. If you’ve had issues currently or in the past with the BRLF odor, water quality anything impacting environmental issues then follow this link and submit it (just point and click it). Hit my pseudo above to get directly to it (or cut/paste the address below into your browser window):
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html
Matthew— I talked to one official a few days ago and he said they are expanding the landfill because it is cheaper to do so. I can’t imagine that much decaying concentrated waste in one location being healthier for our region of FBC than smaller more diverse locations. Economically it has to hurt us. I noticed all summer along hwy521 that Shadow Creek Ranch was raising the berme and planting many, many trees along with a high fence in what looks like an attempt to hide the landfill.
Are all these large Houston development companies part of the EDC that endorses this landfill expansion here in For Bend and the tri-county area?
11 Matthew Feinberg - Nov 27, 03:07 pm
Cheaper? Cheaper for whom?
This is a long term financial disaster waiting to happen. The local politicos need to get their heads out of their collective asses and stop this insanity.
There is enough land south and west of here to build a new landfill that provides a buffer from populated areas.
12 anon - Nov 28, 04:55 am
I’m sure, for the county, it is all about the tipping fees that have become such a popular way to co-opt our local elected officials. I would be willing to guess that if someone checks the state ethics site (or brazosriver.com) you will find company reps. contributing to some of the local officials too.
It looks like, with the exception of the dist. 17 state rep and possibly the new CD-22 congressman, that the local boys are following the EDC lead. The problem I’m having with all this is why would the EDC support such a negative growth attractor like this? How can such a huge expansion of waste possibly be good for economic development with all the older and new developments in this area? I can’t find any studies/research to support such a claim (other than the economic benefit to the company). Is BFI part of their organization or are they just that big a corp and wield that much influence?
Questions, questions. . .
and:
Pearland City Council Votes To Oppose Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion
by Bob Dunn, Dec 12, 2006, 10 04 am
After a presentation Monday night by opponents of Allied Waste’s plans to expand Blue Ridge Landfill, Pearland City Council voted to oppose those plans as well.
One council member abstained because the law firm she worked for had represented Allied Waste in the past, and the rest of those present voted to adopt a resolution opposing the landfill expansion.
Owned by Allied subsidiary Blue Ridge Landfill TX L.P., the facility, at 2200 F.M. 521, is about a mile north of Fresno in Fort Bend County, but also just across 521 from Pearland.
Allied has obtained a “draft permit” that, if made permanent, would allow the company to expand the landfill from its current 302-acre “waste footprint,” where refuse is permitted to be piled up to 58 feet high, to 784 acres, with the right to pile refuse up to 170 feet high. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality commissioners will have to vote in favor of the project before any work can proceed.
Richard Morrison, an environmental attorney representing Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion, spoke to the council before the vote. He said he learned that the city eventually intends to treat water from Mustang Bayou and use it for drinking water.
No portion of the proposed footprint of the expanded landfill lies within the bayou’s floodplain, but the southwest corner of the property is within its 100-year floodplain, Morrison said in written comments submitted to the TCEQ during a hearing last Thursday.
Morrison has raised the possibility of barium leaking from the landfill, based on an incident Allied acknowledges in which a “statistically significant” increase in barium was discovered at one monitoring well at the existing landfill, in November 2005. Allied officials say they are convinced that the discovery was a natural occurrence.
Allied officials did not return a call for comment for this article.
Morrison said the TCEQ likely will respond by January or February to comments entered into the record at last week’s public hearing. He said he’ll then request what’s called a contested-case hearing which, if granted by the state agency, could take up to a year to complete.
A contested-case hearing would give opponents an opportunity to present their case and question the application, in this case, Allied. Such a hearing is seen by Morrison and others familiar with the permitting process as the only chance a citizens’ opposition group has to head off the expansion.
“These things are really so stacked against the citizens…It’s been getting more and more difficult to get one,” Morrison said of contested-case hearings. But the task may be easier, he added, “now that we have Pearland on our side.”
Fort Bend County and Missouri City will not oppose the expansion, Morrison believes, because they signed an agreement with Allied several years ago which states such a project won’t be opposed as long as it is operated within certain limits. One of those is that the height not exceed 170 feet.
About 175 people opposed to the expansion attended last week’s hearing. Several residents of Shadow Creek Ranch – a development in Pearland that’s close to the landfill – expressed fear their water would be unsafe and their property values would plummet if the expansion is approved.
Allied officials – one of whom lives in Shadow Creek Ranch – expressed confidence in the monitoring systems that would be in place, and maintain the operation will be safe and environmentally sound.
1 CABRLE Supporter - Dec 12, 10:17 am
Attend and support this if you can:
CABRLE Meeting
Tuesday Dec 12, 2006 7:00 pm
Quail Run Community Center
16748 Quail Park Drive
Missouri City, TX 77489
Come see how you can make a difference!
2 Jason - Dec 12, 10:56 pm
This is an utterly absurd expansion considering the quick growth in both the residential and business communities in the adjacent areas. It effects three counties and several cities from what I am aware of. The fact that this even might have to go to a contested hearing only displays TCEQ’s lack of environmental concern as an environmental agency. What a waste of an agency. And just as bad is Allied Waste’s intentional neglect of surrounding communites. ACT NOW!
3 JB - Dec 13, 08:16 am
Every one loves to make garbage, but no one wants it in their back yard. If not here, then where do you propose YOUR garbage be taken. Oh, yeah, lets ship it to another county…let them worry about.
4 anon - Dec 13, 09:59 am
JB,
You might want to look at the science behind this expansion before adding such a comment. The company is seeking this permit to create a mega-landfill, which is the new template for saving the corporation dollars. Because these companies are required to monitor older landfills, it saves on those costs. It is strictly a cost saving move, made without the broader growing community in mind. Additionally a Barium leak (highly toxic and travels well when it reaches the water table) was detected but not reported to the general media until over a year later (can we trust them?). Finally the experts doubt the ability to manage the dangers (methane, sulphur, etc..) generated from such a large concentrated mound of waste. Dispersion works much better. When you’ve worn out an areas safety net, you don’t continue to saturate it with more toxics. So yes another smaller landfill in another less populated area is a wise option.
Of course change in personal waste habits as well as large corporate culture might help too. Fast food chains could also help in this. Maybe they could help fund this fight?
5 Tim Gash - Dec 13, 02:11 pm
As a concerned resident of Pearland I have been to several of the community meetings concerning this issue, including the above mentioned Pearland City Council meeting. I have recently been educating myself on the construction and politics of landfills. Let me pose some questions and present some facts that TCEQ & BFI are aware of. If the site will be in proximity to at least 5,000 residents, three schools, and three churches, can it be compatible with surrounding land use? If the area surrounding the proposed expansion is experiencing some of the highest residential growth rates in the country, can the expansion be compatible with growth trends in the area? There has been a significant increase of barium in one of the landfills monitering wells. The applicant has identified over 80 water wells within one mile of the proposed expansion. The proposed expansion is in close proximity to Mustang Bayou, and right next to the American Canal. BFI has no surface water monitering system for either the Bayou or the Canal. If the site is already experiencing a leak, should the application be granted? How important is maintaining clean surface and ground water? I’m no expert, but I have formed my opinion on common sense and a little self education. The height of this landfill concerns me, but not nearly as much as the depth. 13 years at the present operation, then move to a more compatible location with better safety precautions? Or 40 additional years? The answers to these questions are a no brainer, even to a simple hired hand like myself. Please recycle.
6 jls - Dec 13, 02:21 pm
I wonder when those two-headed frogs are going to start showing up?
7 anon - Dec 13, 04:01 pm
Tim,
I second your assumptions posted above. I talked with one of the experts last Thursday and he expressed many of the same concerns. I wonder what that manager who lives in SCR really thinks when he discusses this with his family? No brainer is right and yes we all need to become more active in recycling in our neighborhoods! I would still like to ask the EDC how they think this site is an economic boon for the area (Herb?)?
8 JB - Dec 13, 07:45 pm
Recycle, recycle, recycle. I can’t say it enough. If every household removed the recyclable materials from their household garbage, you’d be surprised how much landfill space would be saved. Virtually everything generated in a household is recycable. Fort Bend County maintains a full service, drive through recycle center at 1200 Blume Rd in Rosenberg (281-633-7576) that is open 6 days a week. The center accepts all numbered plastics, styrofoams, papergoods, and cans. It also accepts household hazardous wastes, including batteries, oils, paints and antifreeze (BOPA). Additionally, it accepts recycable materials such as computers and also appliances (white goods). If the public would step up to the plate and take responsibility for what solid waste it generates, we would’nt be needing large expansion of landfills so soon. Landfilling our solid waste is not the answer. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Those are the 3 R’s people need to take seriously. The average citizen chooses to toss their garbage into the garbage can instead of recycling. It is a lifestyle choice. No one cares where the garbage goes, they just know that they put the bag at the end of the drive and a truck picks it up. Or better yet, they throw that bag(s) in the back of their truck and toss it in a county ditch (which is a Class B Misdemeanor might I add) Again, I say everyone loves to make garbage, but no one wants to have it in a landfill near there home. Another landfill in Fort Bend County or neighboring counties is not the answer. Resident in Wharton County would be just as upset as you are to have a new landfill open up. Its bad enough they have to put up with a egg farm that smells horrible.
9 parent too - Dec 13, 08:45 pm
Well said JB. People should also mulch their lawn clippings and stop bagging them and sending them to the landfill.
10 anon - Dec 14, 05:45 am
JB,
“Again, I say everyone loves to make garbage, but no one wants to have it in a landfill near there home.”
You are right JB, no one wants a mega-landfill built 170 feet high several hundred acres wide towering over their home or polluting their water with barium, methane and sulphur.
Reuse & recycle and for gods sake stop the skyscraper landfill near Missouri City!
11 jls - Dec 14, 10:54 am
Has anyone seen any double-headed frogs yet near the site? . . . ;-}
12 Dean Artall - Dec 14, 02:10 pm
It concerns me very much having just moved to Shadow Creek Ranch of living so close to a Mega landfill. Had I realized this potential I likely would not have considered this area for residence. If nothing else, I will be always concerned raising my children here let alone the property value decline. I read that BFI contributes to Fort Bend, but we are not in Fort Bend so Brazoria does not get even the financial windfalls it seems. By increasing the size of a site that already has proven of Barium leakage, how can you possibly guard against seepage from the new to the older area.
13 anon - Dec 14, 06:38 pm
Dean,
What concerns me even more is the potential this plan has for spreading to other landfills around Houston and the country. This is being touted as the future of waste mgmt. . . what a future!
14 Tim Gash - Dec 14, 11:08 pm
JB,
Good point. Pearland also has a recycle center, just west of Broadway at 3423 Harkey Rd, which is also open 6 days a week, 281-489-2795. Household hazaradous material is taken on Tue, Wed, & Thu. They take everything that the Fort Bend location takes. My household utilizes this location. Folks should take the extra time to recycle what the city won’t pick up. Our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will appreicate it.
15 anon - Dec 15, 05:31 am
Yes JB and Tim,
Many habits must change, including the corporate habits. We are a throw-away society and everything is a commodity, including our homes, and sometimes personal relationships. It seems highlighted this time of year. Let’s work to change it and stop the BRLF from expanding into the absurd Houston mountain.
16 hot - Dec 18, 05:10 am
Good idea to keep people informed on the locations of the recycling centers in the tri-county area. Does anyone else know of more centers? I wonder if some of these restrictive covenants in many of these newer communities would change to allow other waste solutions like composting?
Visit http://cabrle.spaces.live.com/ to get all the background and mtg. schedule. Your support is needed with this uphill battle!
Ck this out:
http://www.ahrc.com/new/index.php/src/news/sub/letter/action/ShowMedia/id/3389
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