Just days remain before a Texas administrative judge and Texas bureaucrats take over the decision-making process regarding a proposed toxic waste dump located in a floodplain whose streams empty into the Rio Grande.
Ahead of a May 31 deadline to submit comments in relation to the proposed landfill, opponents are making another push to ring alarm bells over the project. According to the Laredo Morning Times, to date, over 9,600 comments on the project have been submitted, the majority of them likely negative since many members of the local community are staunchly opposed to the project.
The proposed dump is the brainchild of Texas landowner C.Y. Benavides, who has clashed with local residents and officials, including Democratic State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, over the issue.
Zaffirini has raised concerns with the proposed site’s location in a 100-year floodplain and the fact that Texas floodplain maps are out of date, a particular worry in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey’s toll on Texas last year.
Benavides has attempted to push back on Zaffirini’s concerns regarding the proposed dump’s location by claiming that Laredo does not experience the kind of severe weather that hurricane-prone areas of Texas do.
However, one opponent is pointing media to this YouTube video which shows an estimated 5 inches of rain falling in Laredo in short order—the kind of weather that opponents worry could make the proposed toxic waste dump a real hazard if ultimately built. Local residents worry the Rio Grande could effectively be poisoned if the landfill moves forward, because of drainage systems in the area.
Other opponents of the landfill are pointing to alleged prior business problems and character issues on Benavides’ part, including an alleged history of perpetrating domestic violence, and the failures of multiple Benavides commercial ventures.
As with the landfill project, Benavides has a history of using family property in pursuit of various business endeavors, including what opponents characterize as failed toll road and condominium projects.
After facing steep local opposition, the toll road project failed to net projected revenue and ended in a takeover by the state.
The lot designated for the tower-condominium lot allegedly remains vacant to this day.
Opponents also say Benavides has failed to comply with government rules and regulations, and pay taxes owed, and that for these reasons the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality should take a skeptical view of claims he is making in support of the proposal. However, given TCEQ’s record of selling out to polluters and developers, it’s far from clear that once the matter comes to rest firmly in their hands, they will make what opponents consider the obvious, right call.
If you’re interested in weighing in on the issue, you can do so here referencing docket number 2374. After May 31, a Texas administrative judge will set parties in the case and hold a hearing on the proposal. Once that hearing has occurred, and regardless of what is decided, TCEQ will take over, putting the entire proposal in the hands of Texas bureaucrats.