CC Resolution No. 2430RESOLUTION NO. 2430
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ENCOURAGING THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY ASSIGN FOREMOST ATTENTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SUPPORTING THE FULL REMEDIATION OF THE SAN JACINTO WASTE
PIT SUPERFUND SITE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE
THEREOF.
WHEREAS, over the years, the City of Baytown has taken progressives steps in preserving and
protecting and improving the water quality of the public waters within and adjacent to the corporate limits
of the City; and
WHEREAS, one such step was 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
WHEREAS, another step includes 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, the Baytown Nature Center is used to educate and promote ecology, wildlife and
healthy habitats and is home to over 300 species of birds and 40,000 annual visitors, including fishermen
who have had to contend with consumption advisories issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife based upon
the Texas Department of State Health's findings of PCBs in our local waterways for almost thirty (30)
years; and
WHEREAS, it is the belief that the City's efforts in preserving, protecting and improving water
quality of the public waters within and adjacent to the corporate limits of the City will be rendered futile
unless all of the toxic waste in the San Jacinto Waste Pits is removed; and
WHEREAS, other means implemented in the past in attempts to preserve the pubic health,
including the protective cap that was designed to keep tons of dioxin waste out of the San Jacinto River at
the super fund site, have failed and have created an ongoing danger to the public, ecology and wildlife in
the area; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency apply a permanent
resolution to the toxic waste dump in San Jacinto River, located in the center of one of the largest
metropolitan areas in the United States and in an area which is prone to hurricanes, tropical storms,
flooding and tidal surges; and
WHEREAS, federal, state, and local governments cannot allow the toxic waste to remain in the
San Jacinto Waste Pits and thereby allow the release of dioxin for centuries;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Baytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the City
Council of the City of Baytown to encourage the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to completely
surround the San Jacinto Waste Pits with a wall, to pump the water out of the contained site, to dig the
waste out, and to haul it to a safe location; and
WHEREAS, such action is the only action that will be acceptable to ensure that the polluting
agent releasing dioxins does not continue for years to come; NOW THEREFORE,
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED he affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of
Baytown, this the 14'h day of July, 2016.
H. DONCARLOS,
IER . EDES RENTERIA III, Council Member
i
CHRIS PRESLEY, Council Member
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LkrICIA BRYSCH, ity-Vkrk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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elONACIO RAMIREZ, SR., Ci ttorney
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD OF THE
CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1: That the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of the City of Baytown, Texas,
and the City Council of the City of Baytown respectfully request that the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency assign foremost attention to public health and support and implement the full remediation of the
San Jacinto Waste Pit Superfund Site.
Section 2: That the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the
Governor of Texas.
Section 3: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by both
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of the City of Baytown, Texas, and the City Council of the City
of Baytown, Texas.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote of the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board of the City of Baytown, Texas, this the 6"' day of July, 2016.
WAYRE GRAY, Chaifrman
HOWARD HUNT, Board Member
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AUGUSJIN "EDO, III, Board Member
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MICHELLE BITTE LY, Board Member
KEVIN JONES, Board Member
BI LY ftAN&ft, Board Member
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CARMEN TO S, Board Member