EPA Firm On San Jac Cleanup: Remove All The Toxins

December 13, 2022 - The EPA held its most detailed briefing to date on plans to clean up the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site on Monday, December 5th. Officials outlined the process to remove dioxins and other chemicals from the southern impoundment and updated residents on the plans to tackle the northern impoundment. 

Southern Impoundment - Remediation started on the southern pit in November. Crews are currently securing the area perimeters (including erosion protection along the river), constructing a water treatment plant that will treat the contaminated groundwater on-site as waste is removed from below the water table. They are also creating a decontamination area for vehicles leaving site premises. Physical removal of waste material is expected to begin within the next four weeks.

To ensure worker safety and response capabilities, the EPA has created an emergency response network, including THEA’s San Jacinto River Coalition, the Channelview Health and Improvement Coalition, local first responders, hazmat crews, the responsible parties and their contractors.

Northern Impoundment - The EPA has been keeping pressure on the responsible parties to present a plan (referred to as the 90% Design Plan) for the remediation of the northern pit. When the companies requested even more time to present the plan, the EPA finally refused to grant more delays. The responsible parties presented the remainder of the 90% Design Plan in November, and it is under review. 

The biggest sticking point is that the companies still want to only remove some of the contaminated soil, cover the rest with a cap and leave it in the river. The coalition and THEA oppose that approach. At the meeting, EPA representatives were firm that all of the waste material needs to be removed. As they said in the presentation, “EPA has been consistent that a capping remedy is not compliant with the 2017 ROD and cannot be considered.”

The meeting was held in Highlands, the town directly east of the pits. In addition to local community members and THEA, other attendees included Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and representatives, as well as representatives from the offices of Congressman Dan Crenshaw and the offices of County Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Tom Ramsey. 

View the EPA slides here.

Watch the video of the full meeting here.