Maverick County community opposes Dos Republicas

Maverick County community oppose Dos Republicas
EPalumni.Com
Special Report

The much anticipated hearing by the citizens of Eagle Pass and Maverick County with The Texas Commission on Environmental for permit #WQ0003511000 took place the evening of January 25,2010 The meeting was programed for the Seco Mines Community Center on Sanchez St .Approximately one hundred interested persons were there an hour early to find seating.

Due to additional persons who were not being able to be seated the TCEQ official in charge of the hearing indicated that the Community Center Facility had an adjacent outdoor covered facility to which the meeting could be moved. The TCEQ official then suggested that attendees pick up their chairs and carry them to the outside to proceed with the meeting.

Persons attending protested her suggestion due to the cold weather being experienced in the area. Notice was made by a City elected official that if the City had been asked for space the Trade Center could have been made available for the meeting. Amid the thought and suggestion that the meeting be postpone for another date, arrangements were made so that the meeting would be moved to Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The meeting which was set for 7:00 pm was finally started after 8:00pm with approximately more than 250 persons in attendance.

Introductions were made of the persons attending:TCEQ Officials,Dos Republicas permit consultant for disposal of industrial water, Dos Republicas Mine Project representatives, and Dos Republicas Attorney. Public Officials attending included Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass Ramsey English Cantu,Councilman Sifuentes,Commissioner Rosales and Heredia,Superintendent of Schools Jesus Sanchez, Dr. Hernandez from the Maverick County Hospital District and Mr. Roberto Ruiz representing County Judge Saucedo.

The first part of the meeting was open to informal discussion in which questions could be made to the officials and a response was given by the representatives present. The questions asked related to the impact that these water discharges may have on the environment in particular water and air. In addition questions were raised as to how in time the sediment of these ponds could affect the community and the effects that spills from these ponds could affect the new water plant and its equipment. The impact of pollutants both in the air and the water were questioned as well as the state's capacity to be able to provide citizens with current reports on the quality of air and water in the area and sanctions that could be placed on Dos Republicas for non-compliance. There were two inspectors out of Laredo present who explained the manner in which sanctions were applied.

Some of the best and pointed questions asked where those of two attorneys representing the interests of the Kickapoo Indians. Their questions addressed such things as; Why is it that Dos Republicas has continued to request renewals of their permit and not acted on them? Who are the investors? Is Dos Republicas a subsidiary of another company? Who are the responsible parties? What are their assets in case of an industrial accident? The most defining question for the Commission was why not stop the continuing polluting of our border by not granting the permit to open the mine and prevent our low grade goal to be exported to Micare, the Mexican buyer, who in turn will burn this "junk" coal and pollute the air in our community.Or in other words, why provide the means which will cause more of the problem.

One of the Kikapoo Attorneys addressed the question as to whether or not the mine could have a sufficient supply of water to keep the coal dust from flying away. The company officials indicated that the coal would be transported by rail and that the coal cars would the sprayed with water to prevent dust from flying while it was being transported to Piedras Negras Coah. Mexico. Their answer did not indicate that a study had been conducted to address water consumption.

There was a comment by a Mexican activist who asked that our community unite in saying no to this mine. She stated that any monetary gain did not offset the problems associated with health issues present in Mexico as a result of the different mines and the pollution that they generate. There were also several cancer victims who advocated against this permit being given. A representative from a not for profit organization in Laredo,Texas that advocates for clean water in the Rio Grande was also present and gave testimony.

In general several of the attendants commented publicly to the board officials that the answers given were very simplistic in nature and left much to be desired in the responses given both by the TCEQ representatives, the company representatives, and the consultant working on the application for the industrial water discharge.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu drilled the Dos Republicas attorney diligently as to the company's ability to be transparent in their dealings and actions. In particular questions where raised as to the company's actual operational offices.

Dos Republicas' San Antonio Offices at 5150 N. Loop 1604 West

In similar fashion several of the adjacent land owners described the actions of Dos Republicas as questionable in their efforts to secure their lands for their operations. At times even being untruthful in their dealings.

After the informal discussion period the formal comment period continued and ended after midnight by the time all formal comments were made.

A display of solidarity by representatives from the different community entities and the citizens seemed to prevail as a resounding no was the message given to the TCEQ, company and consultants.

Officials indicated that written responses should be received by those submitting formal written comment within a sixty day period. Other hearings for permits from such commissions as the Rail Road Commission are to follow.

It is hoped that both public officials and those civic minded interested citizens stay on course to see this process to completion.

Sen. Carlos Uresti's Session Watch:

House budget means "Armageddon" for public education
By Sen. Carlos Uresti

Devastating.

That’s the first word that comes to mind in describing what the House’s proposed state budget would do to school districts across Senate District 19.

And it’s not just public education that would take a painful hit: Higher education, border security, prisons, environmental protection, and doctors, nursing homes, hospitals and other health-care providers who receive Medicaid reimbursements would also suffer under the baseline spending plan unveiled by House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts in the second week of the legislative session.

While Pitts and others cautioned that it was just a starting point for the 2012-13 budget — and the Senate’s plan has yet to be unveiled — the document made it crystal clear that cuts alone will not be nearly enough to make up a budget deficit that ranges from $15 billion to $27 billion. MORE

Eagle Pass store owner sentenced in ammo case
By Guillermo Contreras
Published: 06:32 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2011

An Eagle Pass businessman was sentenced Monday to five years in prison, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $4,431 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico.

Fred Farhat, 48, owner of Farhat's Boots and Jeans, conspired with Noemi Carreon-Gonzalez, 34, of Eagle Pass and her husband, Ivan Ramos-Gonzalez, to purchase the ammo from Oasis Outback L.L.C. in Uvalde, court documents state.

Farhat paid almost $6,000 cash for the . MORE

Body appears that of Mexican border region mayor
The Associated Press
Friday, January 7, 2011; 8:14 PM

MONTERREY, Mexico -- Authorities in northern Mexico found a bullet-ridden body Friday that matches the description of the mayor of a town near the Texas border who disappeared two days ago.

An ID card was found on the body with the name of Mayor Saul Vara Rivera, and the body matches his description, prosecutors in northern Coahuila state said in a statement. The statement added that the body was found in the neighboring state of Nuevo Leon. Vara Rivera is the mayor of the town of Zaragoza, located southwest of Eagle Pass, Texas. He has a wife and three sons. MORE

Sandy’s Sister City program making a big difference in Mexico

By christopher smart
The Salt Lake Tribune
Published Jan 5, 2011 01:50PM

The impoverished city of Piedras Negras, Mexico, has been the thankful recipient of Sandy’s Sister City program for more than 20 years.

Through the Sandy program, and with the aid of such organizations as the Fort Union/Midvale Rotary Club, the Piedras Negras community has received, among other things: two ambulances donated by Gold Cross, hydraulic rescue equipment, surplus medical equipment, and even a firetruck.

Sandy City Councilman Chris McCandless has been at the forefront of the Piedras Negras Sister City program and said it’s making a difference for residents of the border town, near Eagle Pass, Texas.

The aid has helped Piedras Negras turn a bare-bones medical clinic into a functioning hospital, McCandless said. MORE