Yesterday, I posted the results of a TCEQ investigation into the Liberty Materials sand mine in Conroe. TCEQ alleged that the mine discharged 56 million gallons of white milky pollution into the West Fork of the San Jacinto. They also found that a water sample taken at the mine contained almost 25X the normal level of dissolved solids. The report mentions four other recent investigations that resulted in citations for unauthorized discharges.
October Flyover Shows Other Discharges At Same Mine
Today, I reviewed aerial photos of the mine that I took on a flyover in October, before the alleged unauthorized discharge.
Note the color of water in two ponds at the Liberty site. All photos taken on 10/2/2019.Mine in background and West Fork in foreground. Notice discharge despite attempt to plug leak.Same breach from opposite angleAnother breach almost looks like it was designed to funnel water into the river.In addition to the major breaches above, note a smaller breach here...…and the water escaping from the pond alongside the road. Those pipes running along the river sure do make it hard for canoeists and kayakers to get downstream.
More Than a Dozen Discharges Seen on One Day
The TCEQ cited Liberty for 4 previous unauthorized discharges in the last 2.5 years. Had they visited the mine on October 2nd, they might have found that many violations in one day.
And these weren’t the only breaches I found that day. Counting those at other mines on the East and West Forks, TCEQ could have easily tallied another dozen violations on this one day.
Sad to say, this industry has an abysmal health and safety record.
825 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 74 since Imelda
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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191002-EF-WF-Aerial_787.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2019-12-01 22:19:002019-12-01 22:27:17October Aerial Photos of Liberty Materials Mine Show Evidence of Previous Breaches
The downstream side of Ben’s Branch at Tree Lane. Photo taken 11/31/2019.
Tree Lane Bridge over Ben’s Branch
Bear Branch Elementary and Child Time on Tree Lane in Kingwood sit right next to a bridge over Ben’s Branch. Most people in Kingwood don’t need a reminder of the power of moving water. But for those with short memories this is it. A floodway and floodplain more than 250 feet wide narrows down to 80 feet at the bridge.
Lap-Band Surgery for the Creek
It’s like the creek had lap-band surgery.
The predictable result: water backs up behind the bridge and then jets through the opening. The water has literally torn the concrete lining designed to prevent erosion into confetti. Note how the erosion has also exposed a pipeline.
Note the erosion immediately downstream from the bridge.
Erosion immediately downstream from the Tree Lane Bridge above. Wood chips are from HCFCD crews de-snagging the banks of the creek. Photo taken 11/30/2019.
Powerful lessons for anyone who thinks he or she can outsmart Mother Nature for long.
One More Thing to Consider in Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis
Harris County Flood Control is in the middle of its Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis right now. I hope they take a close look at this. While the bridge itself seems stable at this point, if this erosion continues unabated, that could easily change.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/2/2019
825 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 74 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191130-RJR_4913-2.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2019-12-01 20:16:362019-12-01 21:36:39Tree Lane Bridge vs. Power of Moving Water
The other two mines, however, were different stories. The TCEQ issued Notices of Enforcement to both for alleged unauthorized discharges of process water.
Double Breach at RGI
At RGI, TCEQ investigators found that a process wastewater pond breached into a stormwater pond. That, in turn, breached into the West Fork. (Click the link above to see the complete investigation report.) Investigators cited the mine for one alleged violation for failure to prevent the unauthorized discharge of process water. The same mine already had one active notice of enforcement for a violation that allegedly occurred on 10/2/2019.
Loss of 56-Million Gallons of Milky-White Waste Water Goes Unnoticed
Unauthorized discharge of white process water by Liberty mine on 11/6. Photographed by TCEQ.
Surprisingly, investigators had to notify the operator of the breach. He professed ignorance of it.
The TCEQ cited the mine for unauthorized discharge of pollutants. Their 124-page report makes interesting reading. The investigators collected numerous samples of water and tested for total dissolved solids.
They found one sample contained almost 25X more than the standard limit for dissolved solids in that part of the river.
From Page 100 of the TCEQ investigation of Liberty Material’s Moorhead Plant on 11/6/2019.
They also estimate that a four-foot water drop in the process pond would have dumped more than 56 million gallons of pollution into the West Fork.
Do you have maintenance logs for berm repairs? Answer: Don’t keep them.
What happened to the berm of the missing pond? Answer: No clue.
When did the berm go? No clue.
How did the berm go? No clue.
How much did you discharge? Not sure.
Are we really to believe that a competent manager would not notice the loss of four feet of water in his process pond?
Incident Highlights Two Problems
Nowhere does the report say that the milky white discharge that I photographed further downriver two days before this investigation came from this mine. In that sense, the findings of these investigations probably will not satisfy the public’s passion for closure.
But they do shine a spotlight on two problems.
Problem #1:
This was the sixth alleged violation for the Liberty mine on Moorehead in 2.5 years. They allegedly dumped 56 million gallons of pollution into the West Fork without noticing it and played dumb when investigators caught them in the act. They just do not fear the penalties which have averaged $800 per incident statewide since 2011. At that rate, pollution becomes part of miners’ business plans.
I cannot understand how state government allows such flagrant behavior to continue. A teenager who got caught breaking into cars six times in 2.5 years would be heading to Huntsville. Dump 56,000,000 gallons of pollution in a public drinking-water source and you get the equivalent of a speeding ticket. All you have to say to the judge evidently is, “Duh!”, and you’re right back in business.
Go figure. Why does “business-friendly” have to mean “resident-hostile”?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/1/2019 with thanks to the TCEQ
824 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Liberty-White-Discharge.jpg?fit=1158%2C876&ssl=18761158adminadmin2019-11-30 19:45:392019-12-01 21:38:01TCEQ Cites Sand Mine for Allegedly Discharging 56 Million Gallons of White Pollution into West Fork
October Aerial Photos of Liberty Materials Mine Show Evidence of Previous Breaches
Yesterday, I posted the results of a TCEQ investigation into the Liberty Materials sand mine in Conroe. TCEQ alleged that the mine discharged 56 million gallons of white milky pollution into the West Fork of the San Jacinto. They also found that a water sample taken at the mine contained almost 25X the normal level of dissolved solids. The report mentions four other recent investigations that resulted in citations for unauthorized discharges.
October Flyover Shows Other Discharges At Same Mine
Today, I reviewed aerial photos of the mine that I took on a flyover in October, before the alleged unauthorized discharge.
More Than a Dozen Discharges Seen on One Day
The TCEQ cited Liberty for 4 previous unauthorized discharges in the last 2.5 years. Had they visited the mine on October 2nd, they might have found that many violations in one day.
And these weren’t the only breaches I found that day. Counting those at other mines on the East and West Forks, TCEQ could have easily tallied another dozen violations on this one day.
Sad to say, this industry has an abysmal health and safety record.
To track the status of TCEQ cases near you, check out this section of their web site.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 2, 2019
825 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 74 since Imelda
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.
Tree Lane Bridge vs. Power of Moving Water
Tree Lane Bridge over Ben’s Branch
Bear Branch Elementary and Child Time on Tree Lane in Kingwood sit right next to a bridge over Ben’s Branch. Most people in Kingwood don’t need a reminder of the power of moving water. But for those with short memories this is it. A floodway and floodplain more than 250 feet wide narrows down to 80 feet at the bridge.
Lap-Band Surgery for the Creek
It’s like the creek had lap-band surgery.
The predictable result: water backs up behind the bridge and then jets through the opening. The water has literally torn the concrete lining designed to prevent erosion into confetti. Note how the erosion has also exposed a pipeline.
Note the erosion immediately downstream from the bridge.
Powerful lessons for anyone who thinks he or she can outsmart Mother Nature for long.
One More Thing to Consider in Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis
Harris County Flood Control is in the middle of its Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis right now. I hope they take a close look at this. While the bridge itself seems stable at this point, if this erosion continues unabated, that could easily change.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/2/2019
825 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 74 since Imelda
TCEQ Cites Sand Mine for Allegedly Discharging 56 Million Gallons of White Pollution into West Fork
After receiving complaints and news reports of bright white water in the West Fork of the San Jacinto, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) launched aerial and ground investigations.
They found three mines discharging process water into the West Fork of the San Jacinto.
The Corps found that the discharge from the Eagle-Sorters mine was related to equipment installed by the Corps which is being removed. Therefore, the TCEQ considered it a permitted discharge and did not issue a Notice of Enforcement.
The other two mines, however, were different stories. The TCEQ issued Notices of Enforcement to both for alleged unauthorized discharges of process water.
Double Breach at RGI
At RGI, TCEQ investigators found that a process wastewater pond breached into a stormwater pond. That, in turn, breached into the West Fork. (Click the link above to see the complete investigation report.) Investigators cited the mine for one alleged violation for failure to prevent the unauthorized discharge of process water. The same mine already had one active notice of enforcement for a violation that allegedly occurred on 10/2/2019.
Loss of 56-Million Gallons of Milky-White Waste Water Goes Unnoticed
At Liberty Materials, TCEQ investigators found a 6′ deep by 30′ wide berm breach still discharging process wastewater when they arrived. The initial burst of wastewater had spread out more than 90 feet and had matted down vegetation for 850 feet. The water then entered a gully which emptied into the West Fork. Investigators say the discharge was milky white in color. They also say that water marks indicate the process pond had dropped approximately 3 to 4 feet!
The TCEQ cited the mine for unauthorized discharge of pollutants. Their 124-page report makes interesting reading. The investigators collected numerous samples of water and tested for total dissolved solids.
They found one sample contained almost 25X more than the standard limit for dissolved solids in that part of the river.
“Not Sure. Don’t Know. No Clue. Duh!”
A “must-read” is the interview with one of the mine’s managers on pages 113-114. Some excepts:
Are we really to believe that a competent manager would not notice the loss of four feet of water in his process pond?
Incident Highlights Two Problems
Nowhere does the report say that the milky white discharge that I photographed further downriver two days before this investigation came from this mine. In that sense, the findings of these investigations probably will not satisfy the public’s passion for closure.
But they do shine a spotlight on two problems.
Problem #1:
This was the sixth alleged violation for the Liberty mine on Moorehead in 2.5 years. They allegedly dumped 56 million gallons of pollution into the West Fork without noticing it and played dumb when investigators caught them in the act. They just do not fear the penalties which have averaged $800 per incident statewide since 2011. At that rate, pollution becomes part of miners’ business plans.
Problem #2:
TACA kills almost all attempts at reasonable regulation by bottling the proposals up in committee every legislature.
Business Friendly Vs. Resident Hostile
I cannot understand how state government allows such flagrant behavior to continue. A teenager who got caught breaking into cars six times in 2.5 years would be heading to Huntsville. Dump 56,000,000 gallons of pollution in a public drinking-water source and you get the equivalent of a speeding ticket. All you have to say to the judge evidently is, “Duh!”, and you’re right back in business.
Go figure. Why does “business-friendly” have to mean “resident-hostile”?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/1/2019 with thanks to the TCEQ
824 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.