Laurel Springs RV Resort Update: Mysterious Black Spots and Other News

In the two weeks since I last posted about the “RV Resort” under construction on Laurel Springs Lane, a lot has happened. Among other things, I’ve noticed contractors repeatedly covering up black spots in the detention pond that have a habit of mysteriously reappearing.

Mysterious Black Spots Keep Reappearing

*Photo taken 3/5/22. Note difference of color in puddles just inches from each other.*

*Wide shot also taken on 3/5 shows bulldozer filling in one black area while another leaks into pond*. *Note streak in water and see below.*

*Also taken 3/5. Pond was being manually pumped into Lakewood Cove Storm sewer* *system* *and thence into Lake Houston.* *The pumping explains the streak.*

*On 3/10/22, I noted these black areas at the western end of the pond emerging from freshly bulldozed areas.*

*Photo taken 3/11. The situation was worse and the bulldozers were back.*

*On 3/14, the floor of the detention pond had been smoothed out, but the black spots were making another embarrassing comeback.*

I have dozens of other shots that show similar patterns. But you get the idea.

I asked the Railroad Commission if they could identify oil seepage from photos. The answer was no. But they did send an investigator out. Unfortunately, he arrived after everything had been covered up.

The contractor acknowledged the black spots, but claimed they were just seepage from rotting mulch. But why would a contractor place mulch below an area being excavated? That would just raise the level of the pond they were deepening. The mystery continues.

The Railroad Commission of Texas found no records of abandoned oil or gas wells on this property, although many are nearby.

As a show of good faith, I wish the developer would have an independent lab confirm what this stuff is now that it’s being pumped to a storm sewer system that feeds into Lake Houston.

Other Recent Activity

In other news:

The developer has removed hundreds of truckloads of debris from below the detention pond.
They have excavated material from the southern walls of the pond and moved it north. This effectively shifted the pond back onto the developer’s property while elevating other portions of the property.
Contractors erected posts for what appears will be a chain link fence at the southern edge of the resort.
Contractors have finished tying the detention pond into the Lakewood Cove Storm Sewer system.
They also installed more underground drainage throughout the property.

The photographs below illustrate the points above.

*Photo taken 2/23/22 shows part of debris pulled up from south of detention pond. Also note the black spots in the detention pond.*

*Taken 3/16/22.* *Photo courtesy of reader. Used with permission.* *Note fence posts along left.* *These would appear to confirm the property boundary.*

*The detention pond intake valve in the foreground is now connected with the pump housings on higher ground. However, the pumps may not yet be installed. And the housing still looks sealed off.* *Photo taken 3/15/22.*

*Additional dirt is being brought in to raise the elevation of the site.* *Photo taken 3/13/22. Note water still ponding on site from a half inch of rain on 3/15. This soil is not as porous as the stormwater pollution prevention plan claims.*

*Rebar being laid for the next concrete pour* *on 3/14/22.*

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/16/22

1660 Days since Hurricane Harvey

The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.

Mysterious Black Spots Keep Reappearing

Other Recent Activity

You might also like