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TCEQ has no timetable on remediation

April 24, 2019 - 00:00
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    These two maps show both the first and second instances of contamination at Skull Creek in February and March of this year. A third contamination incident occurred early this month.

ALTAIR — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has provided no timetables to begin remediation and cleanup of a long stretch of Skull Creek leading from Altair to the Colorado River nearly three months after the pollution started, and two weeks after the state filed suit against the alleged culprit demanding they clean up the mess.

The agency, instead, says they are focusing on obtaining compliance from Inland Environmental through the court system.

“With regard to remediation, TCEQ has been focused on obtaining compliance from Inland through the court,” said Marty Otero, spokesperson for the agency.

“Inland is required to comply with the terms of the temporary restraining order issued by the Travis County District Court. As described in the State of Texas’s original petition in this matter, the Office of the Attorney General is also seeking orders for temporary and permanent injunctions that will require Inland to further address environmental conditions at the site,” Otero continued.

If Inland refuses to take action, Otero said TCEQ has the authority to step in itself and begin remediation.

“If, through the legal process, Inland does not take appropriate action to address the conditions at the site and impacts to Skull Creek, the TCEQ, or its contractor, has the authority to enter property and take any necessary steps to alleviate the substantial endangerment to human health and/or the environment,” Otero said.

TCEQ did not respond to questions concerning a timetable for remediation.

A nearly-identical statement was provided Colorado County Judge Ty Prause last week when he asked TCEQ about remediation.

In an email exchange between Prause and Ramiro Garcia, Jr., TCEQ’s deputy director of its Office of Compliance and Enforcement, Prause asked, “what is the alternative plan to remediate or prevent further contamination of the creek and the Colorado River immediately if Inland does not (as ordered in the TRO?”

Garcia responded using nearly identical language as TCEQ’s press office in responding to The newspaper.

“If, through the legal process, Inland does not take appropriate action to address the conditions at the site and impacts to Skull Creek, the TCEQ, or its contractor, has the authority to enter property and take the necessary steps to alleviate any substantial endangerment to human health and/or the environment. If the TCEQ takes actions to address the conditions at the site and the creek, the TCEQ will seek cost recovery,” Garcia wrote Prause.

The Colorado County Citizen has requested records under the Texas Public Information Act to help further illuminate TCEQ’s actions concerning Skull Creek. See page 4A for information on how you can help.