CC Resolution No. 2932 RESOLUTION NO. 2932
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
SUPPORTING THE BAYTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGARDING THE
FULL REMEDIATION OF THE SAN JACINTO WASTE PIT SUPERFUND SITE;
AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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WHEREAS, the San Jacinto Waste Pits Site consists of a set of impoundments built in the mid-
1960's for the disposal of solid and liquid pulp and paper mill waste, and the surrounding areas
containing sediment and soils impacted by the waste materials disposed in the impoundments; and
WHEREAS, the northern impoundments and sand separation area are approximately 14 acres
located on the western bank of the San Jacinto River, north of the I-10 bridge; and
WHEREAS, the southern impoundments are less than 20 acres located on a small peninsula that
extends south of I-10; and
WHEREAS, the waste deposited in the impoundments are contaminated with polychlorinated
dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has carefully studied the
site and related issues; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 2016, the EPA announced its recommended remedies for the San
Jacinto Waste Pit Site; and
WHEREAS, over the years, the City of Baytown has taken progressive steps in preserving and
protecting and improving the water quality of the public waters within and adjacent to the corporate limits
of the City, including, but not limited to,the following:
1. the enactment of the City's watershed protection ordinance in 2007, which regulations
protect the health, safety and general welfare of city residents; protect public water
resources and to improve water quality; cause the use of management practices by the
city and its citizens that will reduce the adverse effects of polluted runoff discharges into
waters of the State; and protect current or potential public water supplies; and
2. the buy-out and conversion of the property within the Brownwood Subdivision, which is
contiguous to the San Jacinto River where it meets the Houston Ship Channel, to the
Baytown Nature Center, a nature preserve, wherein a vast number of the 500 acres were
returned to a mix of tidal wetlands, fresh and brackish water pools and forested islands;
and
WHEREAS, on October 27"' 2016, the City passed resolution numbers 2430 and 2444 in support
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended remedies for the San Jacinto Waste Pits;
and
WHEREAS, the City has recently received correspondence from the Baytown Chamber of
Commerce to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the continued concern about the
condition and cleanup necessary at the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS:
Section 1: That the City of Baytown supports the correspondence sent by the Baytown
Chamber of Commerce to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the condition of the San
Jacinto River Waste Pits. Said correspondence is attached hereto as"Exhibit A".
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the
City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Cou�icil of the City of
Baytown this the 27`h day of June, 2024.
NDON CA ETILLO, YOR
ATTEST:
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A sELA J. SON, City lerk
APPROVED A T FORM:
SCOTT LE O D, City Attorney
RAKristin Holmes.Ordmances�2024106.27.2024 CC Agenda\Resolution.SanJacintoRiverWastePits.Letter in Support Baytown Chamber of
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2
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EXHIBIT "A"
at�w n
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
9
04(THE MO'A
April 26, 2024
EPA Region 6 Administrator
Dr. Earthea Nance
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75270
On behalf of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce (a business organization with over 1500
business representatives), I am writing to express our deep concern regarding the continued delay
in the cleanup of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site. The urgency of this matter
cannot be overstated, as it not only poses significant environmental risks but also impedes
critical infrastructure projects vital to our community's growth and safety.
The San Jacinto River Waste Pits have been a source of environmental contamination for far too
long, endangering the health and well-being of our residents and ecosystems. We commend the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts thus far in addressing this issue.
However, it is evident that further action is urgently needed to mitigate the ongoing threats posed
by these hazardous waste sites. It is our understanding that the responsible parties and the EPA
entered into an agreement to design the cleanup of this site in 2018, and there is yet to be a
complete plan.
Moreover, we wish to highlight the interconnected nature of this issue with the replacement of
the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Interstate 10 bridge. The contamination from
the San Jacinto River Waste Pits not only jeopardizes the health of our waterways and Galveston
Bay but also complicates the necessary infrastructure upgrades essential for our region's
economic vitality and transportation efficiency.We ask that the EPA require sampling below ten
feet at the Southern Impoundment as there is now a foreseeable scenario where TXDOT workers
could inadvertently encounter hazardous materials beyond the depth of the Superfund
remediation. Should this occur, TXDOT could potentially incur monumental costs and
jeopardize the safety of workers and the environment.
Every moment of inaction allows for continued environmental degradation and hinders critical
infrastructure projects crucial to the prosperity and safety of our community. Furthermore, we
urge the EPA to ensure that the remediation efforts are comprehensive and thorough, leaving no
825 Rollingbrook Dr. • Baytown, TX 77521
281-422-8359 • https://baytownchamber.com - Fax 281-428-1758
room for compromise in safeguarding our environment and public health. The successful
remediation of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits is paramount not only for current generations
but also for the well-being of future ones.
In conclusion, we implore the EPA to prioritize and expedite the cleanup of the San Jacinto
River Waste Pits without further delay. The time for delay has long passed, and our community's
health, environment, and economic prosperity depend on your timely intervention.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We stand ready to support and collaborate with the
EPA in any way possible to expedite the cleanup process and ensure the long-term well-being of
our region.
Sincerely,
Tracey S. Wheeler, IOM
President&CEO
Copy: Congressman Brian Babin
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
State Senator Carol Alvarado
State Senator Mayes Middleton
State Senator Brandon Creighton
State Representative Briscoe Cain
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia
Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsy
City of Baytown Mayor Brandon Capetillo