FBStar Reports On Landfill & Election Impact--

State grants Blue Ridge Landfill expansion permit
Residents say they will continue to fight

By Cheryl Skinner
Opponents of the Blue Ridge Landfill near Fresno say they will continue the fight to oppose expanding the facility, despite the revelation that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says the company meets all the requirements of law and will be granted the permit for expansion.

The TCEQ sent out letters to those who had opposed the expansion in writing saying the entity had reviewed public comments about the controversial application to expand Blue Ridge Landfill near Fresno, and concluded the owner, Allied Waste, meets the requirements of applicable law.

Blue Ridge Landfill plans to expand the “waste footprint” from 302 to 784 acres, and to increase the maximum height waste can be piled from the current 58 to 170 feet.

Opponents say the fight isn’t over. The Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion, a grassroots organization made up primarily of residents living near the site, say they will file for a contested hearing.

If TCEQ grants that request for the hearing, an independent judge would determine if the landfill application really does comply with the law.

Residents living near the facility have been very vocal about their opposition. The proposal to expand the landfill which is located at 2200 F.M. 521 near the town of Fresno has brought opposition from some government entities as well. Officially opposing the landfill are Brazoria County and the City of Pearland, however Fort Bend County and Missouri City have not opposed the plan to increase the size of the landfill. This is primarily due to the fact that both entities entered into an agreement some years ago that said they would not oppose future expansion plans. Allied agreed to pay a “tipping fee” to local governments and those funds can be used for improvements to the area. Local officials say the nearly $1 million a year in tipping fees has been allocated to the Fresno area. Opponents say the fee is nothing more than a legal bribe to keep officials from opposing expansion plans. . .

. . . While Allied previously acknowledged that, in November 2005 there was barium detected that was deemed “a statistically significant exceedance of barium.” But, company officials said, they felt the barium was a naturally occurring event. Opponents say this event, regardless of what caused it, could be a detriment to water wells located near the site. Some county officials have pointed out that the area will be converting from groundwater within the next few years and that should eliminate or at least reduce concerns. . .

. . . The landfill has turned into a political issue and those in opposition to the expansion are promoting a group of candidates who are running for Missouri City council slots.



Stay tuned as we update this controversy near Missouri City.