Clean Harbors Hearing set in company’s request to discharge into Dickinson
bayou
Hearing set in company’s request to discharge into bayou
Related Content The permit application submitted by Clean Harbors San Leon
as well as the preliminary decision by the executive director of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality and draft permit are available for viewing
and copying at the Dickinson Public Library, 4411 Highway 3 in Dickinson. The
TCEQ also has links to the hearing notice and other documents on its website at
www.tceq.state.tx.us. Posted: Monday, September 19, 2016 1:06 pm
By Allen Jones
An administrative law judge could decide whether a hazardous waste
recycling company in San Leon will be able to dispose of treated wastewater into
Dickinson Bayou, a waterway considered a health hazard because of high levels of
bacteria. A contested case hearing is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in the Houston
field office of the State Office of Administrative Hearings, located at The
Preserve at North Loop, 2020 North Loop West, Suite 111. The hearing could end a
contentious battle between San Leon area residents and Clean Harbors, the
company seeking permission to discharge into the bayou treated and filtered
water left over from petroleum and petrochemical waste.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the state’s environmental
regulatory agency, has given preliminary approval for Clean Harbors’ request to
amend its existing permit allowing discharge of treated stormwater into the
bayou. The agency’s executive director has prepared a draft permit that, if
upheld in the contested case hearing, could allow the company to also discharge
treated wastewater into the bayou, which feeds into Galveston Bay.
After an analysis of Clean Harbors’ plans, the agency’s executive director
determined that the treated wastewater will have no adverse impact on the
bayou’s water quality. Despite the agency’s analysis, residents and local
organizations have expressed concern about the addition of potential
contaminants into the bayou.
Dickinson Bayou has high concentrations of bacteria, including E.
coli.
Joe Manchaca, president of the San Leon Municipal Utility District, is
among those troubled with Clean Harbor’s discharge request, saying, “We are
opposed to (Clean Harbor’s) application being approved because we do not feel it
is necessary.”
Speaking on behalf of the utility district, which provides water and sewer
services to the San Leon community, Manchaca has argued that Clean Harbors has a
method of effluent disposal that doesn’t impact the bayou that involves trucking
the waste to an incinerator the company operates in Deer Park. Manchaca believes
the company’s proposed liquid-waste discharge amendment is merely a cost-savings
plan.
Clean Harbors, a Massachusetts-based company that provides environmental,
energy and industrial services throughout North America, operates the San Leon
facility at 2700 Avenue S, near the intersection of 27th Street, close to Texas
146.
The facility transports contaminated water 28 miles to an incinerator in
Deer Park. If its permit amendment is validated by the contested case hearing
judge, Clean Harbors may be allowed to avoid the trip. The contaminated
wastewater would be put through a multistage filtering process and released to a
ditch that flows to an unnamed tidal tributary of the bayou.
Phillip Retallick, Clean Harbors’ senior vice president of compliance and
regulatory affairs, said the treated wastewater will not impair the bayou’s
existing water quality.
“The TCEQ has done a complete modeling analysis of our discharge into the
bayou and determined that our water will have no adverse impact on water
quality, aquatic life or biological condition of the bayou,” he said in a
previous interview.
The Commission on Environmental Quality establishes surface-water quality
standards, monitors and assesses waterways and does projects to protect or
restore natural waterways. According to the agency’s website, high
concentrations of bacteria, including E. coli, measured in Dickinson Bayou and
four of its tributaries might present a health risk to people exposed to the
bayou’s water. The bayou is also listed by the state as an impaired waterway due
to the bacteria levels.
Clean Harbors San Leon’s application to amend its permit to include treated
wastewater discharge has gone through public hearings, analysis by the state
environmental quality agency and review by the agency’s executive director.
Approval of the company’s permit amendment was halted, however, after several
area residents filed for a contested case hearing, claiming the discharge could
have a direct impact on their personal property.
The state’s environmental protection agency referred the matter to the
State Office of Administrative Hearings, an independent organization within the
state’s executive branch that conducts hearings and mediations.
The hearing will be presided by an administrative judge who is a neutral
and experienced attorney, according to the SOAH. During the hearing, parties on
both sides of the issue will make opening statements, present evidence, offer
witness testimony, document exhibits, offer objections and give closing
statements.
The administrative judge will consider the evidence and write a decision
recommending an outcome. Unlike a criminal court standard of “beyond a
reasonable doubt,” referring parties of administrative hearings must show a
“preponderance of the evidence” supporting their stances to receive a favorable
ruling. That means the state’s environmental protection agency will have to meet
its burden of proof to prevail.
However, the final decision regarding Clean Harbors’ permit amendment could
still be made by the state’s environmental protection agency. In some cases, the
administrative judge has the authority to issue a final decision. In a majority
of contested case hearings, final decisions are made by peoplen within state
agencies or by the boards or commissions that referred the matters to the state
office.
The hearing is open to the public. However, only the parties associated
with the dispute will be able to provide evidence and testimony. Hearings can
last anywhere from a few minutes to more than a week, depending on the subject,
according to the SOAH’s website.
TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
AN INTERIM ORDER concerning the application by Clean Harbors San Leon,
Inc., for a major amendment to TPDES Permit No. WQ0004086000; TCEQ Docket No.
2016-0666-IWD
On July 6, 2016, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
("Commission") considered during its open meeting the requests for a contested
case hearing and the requests for reconsideration concerning the application by
Clean Harbors San Leon, Inc., for a major amendment to TPDE Permit No.
WQ0004086000. The requests were evaluated under the requirements in the
applicable statutes and Commission rules, including 30 Texas Administrative Code
("TAC") Chapter 55. The Commission also considered the timely-filed responses to
the requests filed by the Executive Director and the Office of Public Interest
Counsel; the timely- filed replies filed by Joe Manchaca on behalf of San Leon
Municipal Utility District, Phil Cone & Mary Ann McCracken, and Valarie
Hawley; and all timely public comment.
After an evaluation of all relevant filings, the Commission found that
MaryLou Bishop and Family and the Razz Halili Trust are affected persons as
provided by applicable law. The Commission also found that Save Our Shores by
Phil Cone, Kelley Dawson, Rosie Dawson, Peter S. Donzello, Emily Forswall,
Valarie Hawley, Joe Manchaca, individually and on behalf of San Leon Municipal
Utility District, John T. & Mary Ann McCracken, Aubrey Page, Terry S.
Singeltary Sr., Fran Steele, and Barbara Thompson did not demonstrate their
qualifications as affected persons as provided by applicable law and the
Commission determined to deny these other timely-filed hearing requests. The
Commission next determined whether the requests for hearing filed by MaryLou
Bishop and Family and the Razz Halili Trust raised disputed issues of fact that
were raised during the comment period which are relevant and material to its
decision on the application. The Commission determined that the following issues
raised by these hearing requesters are disputed facts, raised during the comment
period, and are relevant and material to its decision on the application and
directed that these issues be referred to the State Office of Administrative
Hearings ("SOAH") for a contested case: 1) whether the proposed discharge will
be protective of water quality and the uses in the receiving waters under the
applicable surface water quality standards in 30 TAC Chapter 307; and 2) whether
the draft permit contains conditions that adequately protect water quality in
Dickinson Bayou and the requesters' health, including sensitive receptors. The
Commission specified a maximum duration of the contested case hearing of six (6)
months from the first day of the preliminary hearing to the date the proposal
for decision is issued by SOAH. The Commission suggested a concurrent referral
to the Commission's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program during the SOAH
referral process. The Commission determined to deny the timely-filed requests
for reconsideration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY that:
1. The requests for a contested case hearing filed by MaryLou Bishop and
Family and the Razz Halili Trust are GRANTED;
2. All other timely-filed hearing requests are DENIED;
3. The Chief Clerk shall REFER to SOAH the following issues for a contested
case hearing on the application:
i) Whether the proposed discharge will be protective of water quality and
the uses in the receiving waters under the applicable surface water quality
standards in 30 TAC Chapter 307; and
ii) Whether the draft permit contains conditions that adequately protect
water quality in Dickinson Bayou and the requesters' health, including sensitive
receptors;
4. The maximum duration of the hearing is SET at six (6) months from the
first day of the preliminary hearing to the date the proposal for decision is
issued by the SOAH;
5. A concurrent referral to the Commission's Alternative Dispute Resolution
Program during the SOAH referral process is RECOMMENDED.
6. All timely-filed requests for reconsideration are DENIED.
7. If any provision, sentence, clause or phrase of this Order is for any
reason held to be invalid, the invalidity of any portion shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of the Order.
Issue date: July 13, 2016
TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., P.E., Chairman
snip...end...TSS
From: Shannon Gibson
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 3:32 PM
To: flounder9@verizon.net Cc: WQAP
Subject: FW: CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ Permit No.: WQ0004086000
Mr. Singletary,
Thank you for your comments.
All questions and comments raised during the public comment period and in
the below email thread were addressed in the Response To Comments (RTC), filed
with the Office of the Chief Clerk on 4/1/2016. The filed RTC is attached for
your convenience.
After filing the RTC, there is a 30-day timeframe for members of the
public to submit a contested case hearing request. All that requested a
contested case hearing will be heard by the commission at a future agenda
meeting.
Sincerely,
Shannon Gibson
Environmental Permit Specialist
Industrial Wastewater Permitting - MC 148
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
(512) 239 - 4284
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 1:14 PM
To: WQAP WQAP@tceq.texas.gov
Cc: David Galindo ; Mark Palmie
; Roger Miranda
; Rules
Subject: CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ Permit No.: WQ0004086000
CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ
RN Number:
RN100890235
Permit No.: WQ0004086000
Greetings again TCEQ et al,
I wish to appeal to you one more time, and ask for a reconsideration of
this CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ Permit No.: WQ0004086000.
FOR the following reasons, myself and others in the San Leon, Bacliff,
Dickinson, we wish to ask for a ‘CONTESTED CASE HEARING’.
IN the recent DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, it was claimed that ;
‘’This facility does not have any ongoing or pending enforcement orders
under the existing wastewater authorization, Permt No. WQ0004086000, issued
December 19, 2013.’’
HOWEVER, TCEQ fails to acknowledge that under previous owners, the
violations were many, so bad apparently they had to change their name from
DURATHERM TO CLEAN HARBORS.
THESE risk factors and past violations are not acceptable for a company
that wants to dump it’s so called treated wasted water into Dickinson bayou, and
Dickinson Bay, a waterway that is is such bad shape, that the state of TEXAS
warns people NOT to eat the fish or crabs from, and or let our children even
swim in the water there. YET TCEQ wants to add more load factors for a complete
collapse of this waterway.
PLEASE SEE PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS THAT THE TCEQ SOME HOW FAILED TO MENTION TO
THE PUBLIC;
Central Registry Query - Regulated Entity Information Regulated Entity
Information RN Number: RN100890235
Name: DURATHERM View Prior Names
Primary Business: STORMWATER INDUSTRIAL
Street Address: 2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON TX 77539
County: GALVESTON
Nearest City: TEXAS CITY
State: TX
Near ZIP Code: 77539
Physical Location:
INTX OF 27TH AND AVENUE S ABOUT .75 MI OF HWY 146 IN SAN LEON 2700 AVENUE
S SAN LEON KEY MAP 661Y
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affiliated Customers – Current
Your Search Returned 3 Current Affiliation Records (View Affiliation
History) 1-3 of 3 Records
CN Number Customer Name Customer Role Details
CN600564165 DURATHERM INC OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation Info
CN600564165 DURATHERM INC OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation Info
CN603349820 DURATHERM ASSET ACQUISITION CORP OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation
Info
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry Type Codes
Code Classification Name
562211 NAICS Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
1311 SIC Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas
4953 SIC Refuse Systems
9999 SIC Nonclassifiable Establishments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permits, Registrations, or Other Authorizations There are a total of 18
programs and IDs for this regulated entity. Click on a column name to change the
sort order. 1-18 of 18 Records Program ID Type ID Number ID Status AIR EMISSIONS
INVENTORY ACCOUNT NUMBER GB0101M ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS ACCOUNT NUMBER
GB0101M ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS AFS NUM 4816700042 ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE
PERMITS PERMIT 7237 CANCELLED AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS REGISTRATION 14291 ACTIVE
AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS REGISTRATION 85676 ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS
REGISTRATION 87443 ACTIVE IHW CORRECTIVE ACTION SOLID WASTE REGISTRATION # (SWR)
34814 INACTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE EPA ID TXD981053770 ACTIVE
INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT 50355 ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS
WASTE SOLID WASTE REGISTRATION # (SWR) 34814 ACTIVE POLLUTION PREVENTION
PLANNING ID NUMBER P03840 ACTIVE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM/SUPPLY REGISTRATION 0840217
ACTIVE USED OIL EPA ID TXD981053770 ACTIVE USED OIL REGISTRATION A86130 ACTIVE
WASTEWATER EPA ID TX0117757 ACTIVE WASTEWATER PERMIT WQ0004086000 ACTIVE WATER
LICENSING LICENSE 0840217 INACTIVE
Central Registry Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355
For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)
2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON
Permit Status: ACTIVE
View Earlier Holders
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Information: Commissioners' Actions
Correspondence Tracking
Effective Enforcement Orders
Central Registry Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355
For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)
2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON
Permit Status: ACTIVE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Enforcement Orders Current TCEQ Rules Type Effective Date Docket
Number Citation/Requirement Provision Violation Allegation Classification
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 279,
SubChapter I, PT 279, SubPT E 279.51 ; 40 CFR Chapter 279, SubChapter I, PT 279,
SubPT E 279.73 ; 30 TAC Chapter 324, SubChapter A 324.12(2) (Not applicable to
CH) Failed to obtain a used oil registration and EPA ID. No. prior to conducting
used oil activities, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 324.12(2) and 40 CFR
§§ 279.51 and 279.73, as documented during an investigation conducted on
September 29, 2011. MODERATE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 262,
SubChapter I, PT 262, SubPT B 262.20 ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F
335.152(a)(4) ; PERMIT II-C-1-h (Not applicable to CH) Failed to use a new
manifest for rejected wastes, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §
335.152(a)(4) and 40 CFR § 262.20 and IHW Permit No. 50355, Provision No.
II-C-1-h, as documented during an investigation conducted on September 29, 2011.
Specifically, waste manifests 005440020 JJK, 005373755 JJK, and 006442062 JJK
were received and partially rejected, then sent back to generator without a new
manifest MODERATE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 264,
SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT CC 264.1089(b) ; 40 CFR Chapter 265, SubChapter I,
PT 265, SubPT CC 265.1090(b) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter E 335.112(a)(21) ;
30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(19) (Not applicable to CH) Failed to
record inspections of the air emission control equipment, in violation of 30
TEX. ADMIN. CODE §§ 335.112(a)(21) and 335.152(a)(19) and 40 CFR §§ 264.1089(b)
and 265.1090(b), as documented during an investigation conducted on September
29, 2011. Specifically, the Respondent did not maintain a record of the Subpart
CC tank inspections for olfactory odors and visual observations. MODERATE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 264,
SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT J 264.193(e)(1)(iii) ; 30 TAC Chapter 305,
SubChapter F 305.125 ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(8) ; PERMIT
II-C-2-h ; PERMIT V-B-3 (Not applicable to CH) Failed to maintain secondary
containment free of gaps and cracks,Specifically, secondary containment A for
tanks PV-18 through PV-21 had a concrete coating crack about four feet long near
PV-20. Secondary containment A-1 for tanks FPV-31, the containment wall
indicated some erosion and the wall edge joining the concrete base had a gap of
approximately two inches. Also, the secondary containment for container storage
area ("CSA")-2 Roll-off area, NOR Unit 044, Permitted unit 01, MODERATE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 30 TAC Chapter 335,
SubChapter A 335.2(b) ; PERMIT IV-A and IV-B (Not applicable to CH) Failed to
prevent the acceptance of a shipment of unauthorized hazardous waste at the
Facility, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 335.2(b) and IHW Permit No.
50355, Provision Nos. IV-A and IV-B, as documented during an investigation
conducted on September 29, 2011. Specifically, the Respondent accepted and
processed a shipment of corrosive hazardous waste (hazardous waste code D002)
that the Facility was not authorized to accept and process. MODERATE
Complaints
Complaint Tracking #: Glossary of Terms 158471
Complaint Received Date: 08/25/2011
Number Complaining: 1 Status: Glossary of Terms CLOSED Status Date:
Glossary of Terms 11/08/2011 Nature: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL Frequency:
Glossary of Terms CURRENT Duration: Glossary of Terms ACTUAL Media: Glossary of
Terms WASTE Program: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Priority:
Glossary of Terms Within 30 Calendar Days Effect: Glossary of Terms
ENVIRONMENTAL Receiving Water Body: Glossary of Terms Regulated Entity: Glossary
of Terms DURATHERM County: Glossary of Terms GALVESTON
Description: The complainant alleged that Waste (oils, metals, etc...) are
poured all over the ground causing contamination. Consequently, storm water
outfalls have to be contaminated. The place is a waste disposal nightmare.
Comment: On September 20 and 27, 2011, Mr. Aron Athavaley of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 12-Houston Office evaluated
the complaint's allegations by conducting record review and the site
investigation. The complaint's allegations regarding "oil being poured on the
ground" were not confirmed during this site investigation. The details of the
site evaluation and regulatory issues are addressed in a separate compliance
evaluation investigation (CEI) report.
Action Taken: This incident was received by the TCEQ Houston Office and
was assigned to the TCEQ Environmental Investigator, Aron Athavaley, for
investigating the allegations and compliance status of the entity.
Complaint Tracking #: Glossary of Terms 91331 Complaint Received Date:
05/11/2007 Number Complaining: 1 Status: Glossary of Terms CLOSED Status Date:
Glossary of Terms 06/18/2007 Nature: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL Frequency:
Glossary of Terms CURRENT Duration: Glossary of Terms ESTIMATED Media: Glossary
of Terms WASTE Program: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE
Priority: Glossary of Terms Within 30 Calendar Days Effect: Glossary of Terms
ENVIRONMENTAL Receiving Water Body: Glossary of Terms Regulated Entity: Glossary
of Terms DURATHERM County: Glossary of Terms GALVESTON
Description: MIS-MANAGEMENT OF OILS IN SEVERAL WASTE MANAGEMENT UNITS AND
UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES FROM THE CONTAINMENT AND INTO THE SITE'S DRAINAGE
SYSTEM.
Comment: INCIDENT LOCATION IS FACILITY'S DRAINAGE DITCH AT THE
NORTHWESTERN SIDE OF THE PLANT AND WASTE MANAGEMENT UNITS.
Action Taken: The complaint was investigated on June 4, 2007. Please see
the investigation number 563131 for details.
Emergency Response Events
Investigations
Notice of Violations
Central Registry Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355
For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)
2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON
Permit Status: ACTIVE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Violations Current TCEQ Rules
NOV Date Status Citation/Requirement Provision Allegation Classification
Self Reporting Indicator
02/23/2010 RESOLVED 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter A 335.9(a)(1)(G) Failed
to have a description of the SAAs within the facility or during the review of
the exit interview form. MODERATE NO
02/23/2010 RESOLVED 40 CFR Chapter 264, SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT C
264.15(d) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(1) ; PERMIT Permit
Provision III.D. Failed to adequately complete daily inspection logs on tanks,
loading and unloading areas, and container storage areas. MODERATE NO
02/23/2010 RESOLVED 40 CFR Chapter 262, SubChapter I, PT 262, SubPT C
262.34(a)(3) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter C 335.69(a)(3) Failed to properly
label a three cubic yard container with the words "Hazardous Waste." MODERATE NO
Permit Information
DURATHERM (RN100890235) CLEAN HARBORS PART 2 Central Registry Detail
of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355
For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)
2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON
Permit Status: ACTIVE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondence Tracking - Detail Tracking No. Received/Sent Direction Type
Subject Due Date End Date Document Date Method 16846727 02/05/2013 INCOMING
CLASS 3 MODIFICATION ADD 4 CSA OUTSIDE OF CONTAINMENT SYSTEM 02/04/2013
OVERNIGHT
Correspondence Actions Action Tracking No. Action Start Date End Date
16855487 2J NORI PUBLISHED 02/02/2013 16846729 1 APPLICATION RECEIVED 02/05/2013
16846728 2 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW 02/05/2013 16848694 4F REVISIONS TO APPLICATION
02/07/2013 16855488 6J PUBLIC NOTICE 02/07/2013 16873618 2A ADMIN NOD ISSUED
02/15/2013 16977470 2B ADMIN NOD RESPONSE 03/14/2013
*** FOR THESE REASONS, MYSELF AND OTHERS HERE ASK FOR A ‘CONTESTED CASE
HEARING’.
*** FOR THESE REASONS, MYSELF AND OTHERS HERE ASK THAT THIS PERMIT BE
DENIED.
Thank You,
kind regards,
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
flounder9@verizon.net
CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ
RN Number:
RN100890235
Permit No.: WQ0004086000
Singeltary Submission;
Greetings TCEQ et al,
I kindly wish to submit my strong opposition for any permit for CLEAN
HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ Permit No.: WQ0004086000, to allow any treated or
non-treated waste water, or anything else, to be allowed to be discharged into
the Dickinson Bayou watershed or nearby locations adjacent to Dickinson Bay,
inside of Galveston bay. The Public needs to be able to comment on this, and
should. The Dickinson Bayou watershed has been so strained environmentally due
to many reasons over the past decades, some reasons include Livestock, Pets,
faulty septic systems, agricultural activities, urban run-off and what all that
contains, pesticide runoff, waste water treatment plants, just to name a few,
but now we have an industrial complex that wants to grow at the mouth of
Dickinson Bayou, a Bayou that already has studies that show it’s very sluggish
in terms of tidal movement, and a Bayou that has consistently been in trouble,
year after year after decade. In my opinion, I believe one of the main reasons
that causes this, besides all the pollution, is the fact Dickinson Bayou needs
to, should have been dredged, with a continuous dredge maintained from inside
the mouth, and past the old grave yard, across those flats, on up until
Dickinson Bayou gets deep, all the way to the ship channel. The water quality in
Dickinson Bayou, has been bad for some time due to little tidal movement. Just
very recently, the Houston Chronicle ran an article on a workshop (see below in
reference materials) on how to improve Dickinson Bayou due to unacceptably high
levels of bacteria, posing possible health and environmental risks. so why would
TCEQ or anyone allow such a permit to throw more fuel to the fire? the old
spillway inlet at the mouth of Dickinson Bayou, and outlet over on the Bacliff
Side, is and has been dead in the water years and years, with no movement
through there to help oxygenate the water, we have had numerous fish kills, with
one massive flounder kill. why can the ship channel have a continuous life time
dredge for the tanker traffic, but yet never dredge Dickinson Bayou, when the
Army Corp of Eng said long ago that this needed to be done to maintain a healthy
Bayou? what are we waiting on? Via the FOIA, I received the HL&P
construction permits back in the 60’s, and the dredging that the Army Corp of
engineers said would come and be maintained constantly. That never happened.
This constant maintaining of a dredge was to be done all the way to the ship
channel, to prevent just what has happened, and it says so in the permit. see
permit PDF in my reference materials below. Until Dickinson Bayou is dredged out
and all the way to the ship channel so Dickinson Bayou can breath again,
anything else in my opinion will be futile. with no changes to the plan to
address the issue of dredging Dickinson Bayou to address the tidal flow issues,
and proper flushing of Dickinson Bayou, all your going to have is a toilet that
does not flush properly, that our children have been playing and swimming in,
and consuming the seafood there from. some kind of tourist attraction, welcome
to the Toilet Bowl.
I strongly protest, and strongly object, in totality, to Permit No.:
WQ0004086000 for CLEAN HARBORS SAN LEON TCEQ RN Number: RN100890235, please deny
this permit. ...
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. Bacliff, Texas 77518
REFERENCE
ENFORCEMENT FOR CLEAN HARBORS
Item 35
Docket No. 2014-1366-PWS-E.
Consideration of an Agreed Order assessing administrative penalties and
requiring certain actions of Clean Harbors San Leon, Inc. in Galveston County;
RN100890235; for public drinking water violations pursuant to Tex. Health &
Safety Code ch. 341 and the rules of the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality.
Item 35 Docket No. 2014-1366-PWS-E. Consideration of an Agreed Order
assessing administrative penalties and requiring certain actions of Clean
Harbors San Leon, Inc. in Galveston County; RN100890235; for public drinking
water violations pursuant to Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 341 and the rules
of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (Jessica Schildwachter, Candy
Garrett) Approve the Agreed Order. ZC/TB; all agree.
An agreed order was entered regarding Clean Harbors San Leon, Inc., Docket
No. 2014-1366-PWS-E on April 1, 2015, assessing $234 in administrative penalties
with $234 deferred.
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. previous comment
Response to Public Comments Eight TMDLs for Indicator Bacteria in
Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries (Segments 1103 and 1104)
November 12, 2013
Tracking Number
Date Received
Affiliation of Commenter
Request or Comment
Summary of TCEQ Action or Explanation
001_01
004_04
08/30/2013
09/12/2013
Terry Singeltary (written)
Arlette Baudat
(oral)
The TCEQ efforts to bring back quality water, instead of polluted water to
the Dickinson Bayou and its Tributaries, are greatly appreciated. However, I
think it all will be futile, if Dickinson Bayou is not dredged out to where the
water can flow freely with the tidal movements. I believe that due to Dickinson
Bayou not being dredged and maintained properly, to allow for a maximum flow, by
Houston Lighting and Power Co. (HL&P) is/was a cause to a great many of our
problems in Dickinson Bayou, and surrounding waters. I also believe that
HL&P, the Army, or the Army Corp of Engineers should foot the total bill for
the dredging.
What was not addressed in the I-Plan was dredging up the bayou. I believe
the Corp of Engineers has approved dredging of the bayou and with more flow of
bayou you would have more dilution with the tide coming in and out and that it
would help to achieve the goal.
The TCEQ and local stakeholders in the Dickinson Bayou watershed have
agreed to work together to reduce bacteria pollution in Dickinson Bayou and its
tributaries, as described in the I-Plan document. At the same time, stakeholders
in the watershed are continuing to explore ways to decrease the effects of
pollution on Dickinson Bayou. The TCEQ does not have regulatory authority to
compel private or public entities to dredge Texas waterways to improve flow. No
changes were made to the I-Plan based on this comment.
AS I SAID before, and I will keep saying ;
*** Until Dickinson Bayou is dredged out and all the way to the ship
channel so Dickinson Bayou can breath again, anything else in my opinion will be
futile, until the Bayou can flush itself properly. ...
Workshop to look at efforts to protect, improve Dickinson Bayou
By Annette Baird
Updated 1:10 pm, Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The almost 23-mile-long Dickinson Bayou with its numerous tributaries,
including Gum Bayou, Cedar Creek and associated wetlands play a vital role in
the area's ecosystem as well as providing recreational activities such as
fishing, canoeing and swimming.
*** But the 100-square-mile watershed, from which water flows into
Dickinson and Galveston bays, has been tested with unacceptably high levels of
bacteria, posing possible health and environmental risks. ***
Livestock, faulty septic systems, agricultural activities, urban run-off
and waste from pets and wildlife such as feral hogs have pushed bacteria levels
upward, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Water-quality experts hope to increase awareness of the pollution and how
to reduce it through an upcoming workshop to educate residents, educators and
professionals such as geoscientists about what they can do to protect, preserve
and restore water quality in the watershed and bayou.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with Clear Creek
Independent School District will host the Texas Watershed Steward workshop from
8 a.m. to noon July 21 at Clear Falls High School, 4380 Village Way, in League
City.
The workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed
management in Texas but will primarily focus on area water quality issues,
including current efforts to improve and protect Dickinson Bayou. There will be
a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution and ways
to improve water quality, as well as a group discussion on community-driven
watershed protection and management.
"We want to educate people about the best management practices," said
Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the TWS
program, which is funded through a Clean Water Act grant from the Texas State
Soil and Conservation Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Kuitu said pollution from industrial facilities is easier to identify and
monitor, whereas pollution from other sources is much more difficult to address.
He said the amount of bacteria varies depending on numerous factors such
as rainfall levels.
"We look at measurements to see how they trend over time," Kuitu said.
The workshop is part of a four-day summer training program about awareness
of watersheds and wetlands for educators in Clear Creek ISD.
Terri Berry, the district's secondary science coordinator, said the
workshop aligns with the district's science curriculum and supports what
teachers are doing at the district's retention pond and wetlands site, created a
few years ago behind Education Village on Village Way.
Berry said the training program as a whole will give teachers a deeper
understanding of water stewardship so that they can help their students make the
most of work with the retention facility and help instill a desire to improve
and preserve wetlands areas where they live.
"We are trying to create awareness of the watershed and how what you do in
your yard and at your house can influence a huge area," Berry said.
The free workshop provides an opportunity to earn continuing education
credits for professionals, including engineers, certified crop advisers,
certified planners, landscape architects, professional geoscientists, Texas
Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, certified teachers,
certified floodplain managers and some TCEQ occupational license holders.
To register for the workshop, visit tws.tamu.edu/workshops/registration.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Dickinson Bayou: A TMDL Project and Use Assessment for Bacteria Troubled
Waters
Dickinson Bayou: A TMDL Project and Use Assessment for Bacteria
A current project to survey recreational uses and develop and implement a
TMDL to reduce bacteria. The TMDL is completed; the I-Plan is in development.
Background and Goals
High concentrations of bacteria measured in Dickinson Bayou Tidal, Segment
1103, and four of its tributaries might pose a health risk for people who swim
or wade in the bayou. Bacteria from human and animal waste may indicate the
presence of disease-causing microorganisms that may cause illness. Swimming and
other forms of recreation in which people come into direct contact with the
water are referred to as contact recreation in the state's standards for the
quality of streams, lakes, and bays.
The TMDL project will characterize the sources of bacteria in the
watershed of the bayou and develop a plan to improve water quality. The goal of
the TMDL is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable risk levels
for contact recreation.
The TCEQ will also conduct a recreational use survey and attainability
analysis for part of the bayou. Recreational use-attainability analyses (RUAAs)
are conducted to determine which of the four recreational use categories is
appropriate for a particular water body. During an RUAA project, staff usually
collect:
Information on a water body, such as the presence or absence of water
recreation activities, stream flow type, stream depth Information about the
frequency and types of recreation for which the water body is currently used
Data on physical conditions in a water body
Adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads
On February 8, 2012, the commission adopted:
Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou
and Three Tidal Tributaries (PDF) On June 6, 2012, the EPA approved the TMDLs,
at which time they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.
Learn more about the Water Quality Management Plan.
Reports
Final Technical Support Document
Public Participation
Stakeholders in the watershed have formed the Dickinson Bayou Watershed
Partnership to implement activities that improve water quality in Dickinson
Bayou. Information about the Partnership’s meetings is available on their Web
site. The TCEQ is working with this existing forum to participate with the
public in developing and implementing the TMDL project. Other partners include
the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and the
Texas Cooperative Extension.
Meeting Records, TCEQ-Led Meetings
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership Meeting Notes 8/24/2011 • Attendees
were welcomed and the meeting was brought to order by Charriss York, Texas
Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP). • Following introductions of TCWP and Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) staff, a brief background of the
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership was given • Charriss York gave a
presentation including an update on the Dickinson Bayou Bacteria Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) progress including an overview of the process for the upcoming
public comment period • Ms. York also gave an update to the Bacteria TMDL
implementation plan that workgroups have been working on since Febryary.
Management measures determine by each of the three work groups (On‐site Sewage
Facilities, Wastewater Treatment Facilities, and Animal Sources) and their
associated load reductions were discussed.
• A copy of Ms. York’s presentation can be found at:
• Questions/comments were taken throughout the presentation these include:
o Partnership members asked that in the future bacteria load reductions be
presented in a more meaningful and easy to understand fashion such as
representing the bayou as a 55 gallon barrel and pollution loads a portion of
that barrel o Questions about septic systems and who is responsible for
permitting them in the watershed o Questions about the chemicals used in
wastewater treatment facilities and how they impact the bayou o Recommendation
to include information about other types of pollution such as pharmaceuticals
SFR-066/11 January 2012 Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Texas: 2011
Annual Report by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas
State Soil & Water Conservation Board
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Protection Plan Implementation Project
Dickinson Bayou does not meet water quality standards for DO or pathogen
indicator bacteria. The Dickinson Bayou Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) outlines
a series of actions for improving the overall health of the watershed and
reducing the amount of pollutants entering the Bayou. These actions are based on
the vision and goals proposed for the watershed by a broad group of stakeholders
representing individual citizens, non-profit and commercial interests, and
local, state, and federal governmental entities.
For the initial implementation phase of the Dickinson Bayou WPP, the Texas
AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife Extension) proposed short-term
implementation measures through a CWA Section 319 grant with the TCEQ. Several
on-the-ground demonstrations of site specific BMPs were funded through this
grant. This funding helped develop educational workshops for many different
groups, NPS-related fact sheets, a pet waste education campaign, lesson plans
for teachers, and also provided youth education using watershed models.
For on-the-ground implementation, AgriLife Extension worked with Clear
Creek School District and City of League City officials on a storm water wetland
(four acres) project at the Education Village on FM 96 in the northeast portion
of the Dickinson Bayou watershed. AgriLife Extension staff also worked with the
City of Dickinson and Keep Dickinson Beautiful to install a rain garden (0.02
acres) and a roof rain catchment cistern (0.03 acres) at the Dickinson Public
Library. In addition, AgriLife Extension staff collaborated with representatives
from the City of Dickinson to install a new watersmart landscape (0.23 acres)
consisting of native trees and shrubs around the new city hall complex. AgriLife
Extension staff also partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(TPWD) Dickinson Marine Laboratory to design and install their new watersmart
landscape (0.012 acres).
The Simple Method for calculating urban storm water loads from the Center
for Watershed Protection was used to determine load reduction from these
on-the-ground BMPs. Estimated reductions are:
Phosphorus 356 lbs
Nitrogen 770 lbs
SNIP...
see massive flounder kill right off Bacliff shoreline north and south of
the old Spillway outlet ;
doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.01.012
Copyright © 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Water quality in the Dickinson Bayou watershed (Texas, Gulf of Mexico) and
health issues
References and further reading may be available for this article. To view
references and further reading you must purchase this article.
Antonietta Quigga, b, , , Linda Broachc, 1, , Winston Dentond, 2, and
Roger Mirandae, 3,
aDepartment of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 5007
Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551, United States
bDepartment of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 3146 TAMU, College
Station, TX 77843, United States
cTexas Commission on Environmental Quality, 5425 Polk Avenue, Suite H,
Houston, TX 77023, United States
dCoastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dickinson
Department, 1502 FM 517 East, Dickinson, TX 77539, United States
eTexas Commission on Environmental Quality, 1200 Park 35 Circle, Austin,
TX 78711, United States
Available online 24 February 2009.
Abstract
The Dickinson Bayou watershed (near Houston, Texas, Gulf of Mexico)
provides habitat for numerous coastally influenced communities of wildlife,
including scores of birds and fish. Encroaching development and impervious
surfaces are altering the habitat and degrading water quality. Herein we have
defined the current health of the bayou using water quality data collected
between 2000 and 2006. Elevated bacteria (fecal coliform, Escherichia coli and
Enterococcus) and depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations (often <3 100="" a="" algal="" are="" assist="" bayou="" be="" because="" blooms="" ca.="" chl="" concerns="" consistent="" development="" div="" ecosystem.="" eutrophication="" findings="" flushing="" g="" has="" impairments="" in="" indicate="" influence="" intrinsic="" is="" l-1="" limited="" low="" magnitude="" major="" may="" mg="" nitrogen="" nutrient="" occur="" of="" often="" on="" persist="" primary="" productivity="" rate.="" ratios="" small="" spring="" study="" summer.="" the="" this="" to="" two="" understanding="" urban="" watersheds.="" which="" while="" will="" with="">
Keywords: Bacteria; Ecosystem management; Environmental monitoring;
Eutrophication; Low dissolved oxygen; Nitrogen; Nutrients Article Outline 1.
Introduction 1.1. Study area 2. Methods 3. Results 3.1. Air temperature and
rainfall 3.2. Salinity and dissolved oxygen concentrations 3.3. Chlorophyll and
nutrients 3.4. Bacteria 4. Discussion Acknowledgements References Fig. 1. The
Dickinson Bayou watershed is located within the San Jacinto–Brazos Coastal Basin
at 29°29' N, 95°14' W, 45 km southeast of Houston, Texas.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig. 2. Average monthly (A) air temperature (°C) and (B) rainfall (cm) in
the DBW between 2000 and 2006. Error bars represent standard deviations. (C)
Annual rainfall (cm) is subject to cyclic patterns and perturbations due to
tropical storms.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig. 3. Average water column salinities (‰) measured between 2000 and 2006
from Dickinson Bay (0 km; SH I46) to the upper reach of the tidal portion of
Dickinson Bayou. The averages are presented with minimums (lower bars) and
maximums (higher bars). A log scale was used to show the range across the bayou.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig. 4. Average (24 h) DO concentrations (mg l-1) measured between 2000
and 2006 from Dickinson Bay (0 km; SH I46) to the upper reach of the tidal
portion of Dickinson Bayou. (A) Surface DO was typically 6.1 mg l-1 along the
length of the bayou with minimum DO’s (bottom bar) ranging from 0.6-2.8 mg l-1
and maximums (top bar) from 7.9–19 mg l-1. (B) DO at >1 m depth was typically
3.5 mg l-1 in the bayou with minimums (bottom bar) ranging from 0.1–1.0 mg l-1
and maximums (top bar) from 8.2–9.8 mg l-1. (C) Exceedances refer to the
measurement of instantaneous DO concentrations of 3 mg l-1. The fraction of
exceedances in surface (1 m) waters (white bars) was less than those in deep
(>1 m) waters (black bars). The greatest fraction of exceedances occurred in
the tidal segment of the bayou between Gum Bayou (6.4 km) and Cemetery Road
(19.7 km).
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig. 5. Seasonal patterns in DO concentrations varied as a function of
water depth. Surface waters were those at 1 m (A) while deep waters were those
at >1 m (B). October to April represent the cool months (white bars) while
May to September are the warm months (black bars), respectively.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fig. 6. Percentage exceedances of fecal coliform measured between 2000 and
2006 from Dickinson Bay (0 km; SH I46) to the above tidal portion of Dickinson
Bayou. The main stem of the bayou (white bars) in general, had fewer exceedances
than the tributaries (black bars).
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1. Summary of sampling sites visited on a regular basis between 2000
and 2006. The distances inland were calculated relative to Dickinson Bay at
SHI46 (see Fig. 1). Segment, latitude, longitude, and a brief description are
included for reference. Tributaries are in italics.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2. Average chlorophyll concentrations (µg l-1) measured between 2000
and 2006 from Dickinson Bay to the upper reach of the tidal region. No data is
available for above the tidal reach. Values presented here are the median
chlorophyll concentrations (i.e., chl a plus phaeophytin). The range and number
of samples (N) examined is also included. Tributaries are in italics.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3. Total nutrient concentrations (mg l-1) in the water column of
Dickinson Bayou, based on a sample size (N), collected between 2000 and 2006.
The range (min–max) was included to show the variability. Tributaries are in
italics.
View Within Article
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4. Bacterial counts in the surface waters of Dickinson Bayou.
Minimum and maximum values generally (but not always) reflect the lower and
upper detection limits for these tests and so were not included. Rather the % of
samples that exceeded the criteria (%E) were included as well as the number of
samples (N) measured. Fecal coliform was measured at all stations while
Enterococcus was only measured in the tidal segment and E. coli only in the
above tidal segment. Tributaries are in italics.
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 409 740 4990; fax: +1 409 740 5001. 1 Tel.:
+1 713 767 3579. 2 Tel.: +1 281 534 0138. 3 Tel.: +1 512 239 6278. Sponsored
Links 24-7 Emergency On Call Water Damage Restoration - Direct Insurance Bill.
Call 281-537-8379 AroundDClockRestorationHouston.com
www.houstonmosquitosystems.com
Dickinson Bayou currently does not meet state requirements for aquatic
life or contact recreation
MAJOR FINDINGS of the study confirmed that salinity, ambient temperature,
and rainfall runoff, as well as algal blooms and organic loading influence
Dickinson Bayou’s low DO levels.
A saltwater wedge (“halocline”) was found extending from Dickinson bay
upstream to Cemetery Road.
Saltwater tends to encroach more during warmer, drier summer months.
Little or no encroachment occurs during the rainy, cooler, winter months. This
halocline creates a horizontal barrier between fresh and saltwater layers,
preventing movement of DO between the two. Zero DO was frequently measured in
the saltwater wedge, while higher DO levels were generally found above that
wedge, in the fresher water. The halocline disappeared only during high flow
periods following significant rainfall events.
Runoff from significant rainfall events contributes to the high bacteria
concentrations. Also, higher bacteria levels were found at sampling sites in
more rural settings, probably due to greater use of septic systems and rangeland
runoff.
The Dickinson Bayou watershed is experiencing land use changes as a result
of urban, commercial, and rural development. These changes will continue to
cause biological, chemical, and physical pressures on the bayou and its ability
to absorb and process the increased loading from point and nonpoint source
pollution.
The TCEQ will use the gathered data and analysis to conduct modeling on
the bayou to determine how to proceed with completing a watershed action plan
for addressing the low DO occurrence and reducing the bacterial contamination.
PROJECT LOCATION
Dickinson Bayou is located in southeast Texas in the San Jacinto-Brazos
Coastal Basin. The bayou originates north of the City of Alvin in Brazoria
County and flows east approximately 24 miles through Galveston County where is
drains to Dickinson Bay, a secondary bay of Galveston Bay. Major named
tributaries that flow to Dickinson Bayou include Gum Bayou, Benson Bayou,
Magnolia (Geisler) Bayou, Bordens Gully, Cedar Creek, and LaFlore’s Bayou.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The study was designed to evaluate water quality over a period of time at
several locations along Dickinson Bayou. The project focused on the tidal
portion of the bayou, a very sluggish water body dominated by a deep, v-shaped
channel with an average depth of 10-15 feet.
Data collection devices were deployed at each of nine sites for five
consecutive days each month from July 2000 to August of 2001. In addition, water
quality samples were taken for laboratory analysis. The U.S. Geological Survey
collected supplemental biological data. Data analysis was performed on the
resulting data values to form generalized conclusions about the bayou.
BACKGROUND
Dickinson Bayou is on the state’s list of water bodies not meeting water
quality standards for dissolved oxygen (DO) and bacteria levels. As a result,
the bayou does not meet its aquatic life use nor its contact recreation use,
creating a possible environmental and/ or public health concern. To address
these problems, a partnership was formed between the Galveston County Health
District (GCHD), the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to
conduct a special study.
Dickinson Bayou Special Study
Dickinson Bayou currently does not meet state requirements for aquatic
life or contact recreation Contact Info: Jean Wright, Special Projects
Coordinator Galveston County Health District Pollution Control Division
1205 Oak Street P.O. Box 939 La Marque, TX 77568 (409) 938-2301 (phone)
(409) 938-2271 (fax) Todd Running, Clean Rivers Program Manager
Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120 Houston, TX
77027-6478 (713) 993-4549 (phone) (713) 993-4503 (fax)
According to the 2005 Galveston Bay Indicators Project, the areas of
Galveston Bay with the greatest number of TCEQ criteria-level exceedences for
fecal coliform bacteria are Buffalo Bayou, the Houston Ship Channel, Clear
Creek, and Dickinson Bayou (Figure 5-60).
Briefing Paper on Lower Galveston Bay and Bayou Watersheds Lower Bay I:
Armand Bayou to Moses Lake and Adjacent Bay Waters Jim Lester, PhD. and Lisa
Gonzalez Houston Advanced Research Center Galveston Bay Status and Trends
Project Funded by the TCEQ, Galveston Bay Estuary Program
July 2005
Public Health Issues
Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou have levels of fecal coliform bacteria
that exceed the screening levels used by TCEQ to determine which water bodies
need to be listed as impaired for historical use. Both water bodies would be
considered a health risk for contact recreation. The annual average
concentrations of fecal coliforms in water samples from both water bodies are
shown for 20 years from 1983 to 2002 in the figure below. The level of pollution
clearly varies considerably over time. Swimming and other forms of contact
recreation should be avoided when the bacterial concentrations in Dickinson
Bayou or Clear Creek exceed 400 colony forming units per 100 ml of water.
Other locations for contact recreation, such as the Texas City Dike, have
no known pollution that would justify avoidance for public health reasons.
Saturday, July 18, 2015 DICKINSON BAYOU NEEDS TO BE SAVED, NO MORE TREATED
OR NON TREATED WATER DISCHARGE PERMITS
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. Bacliff, Texas USA 77518 flounder9@verizon.net>
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