Barge Removal now totals $2 million
Bentsen, DeLay combine efforts
by Bobby Horn, Jr.
Star-Courier staff
June 27, 1996
WASHINGTON-- Congressman Tom DeLay (R-22) and Ken Bentsen (D-25)
have announced that provisions have been added to the House
Transportation Appropriations bill that would, if passed,
allocate $2 million for the removal of abandoned barges along the
San Jacinto River.
According to ther report from the Transportation Subcommittee
of the Appropriations committee, the bill not only sets aside
the funds, but states that "the Coast Guard is directed to use such
funds only for that purpose."
In February, Bentsen first approached the Transportation
Subcommittee to testify concerning the barges. At that time he said that
the Coast Guard estimated that it would take $4 million to remove the
abandoned barges, if salvage attempts were unsuccessful.
According to a Tony Rudy, press secretary for DeLay, DeLay who
serves on the appropriations committee, began working with Bentsens
office to push the request through subcommittee.
On June 6, the subcommittee approved $1 million, for the barge's
removal. Sources close to DeLay, said that DeLay supported this request
feeling that $4 million was too excessive.
On June 19, the subcommittee in it's final writing of the request
increased that amount to $2 million and added the provision that funds
be spent only on barge removal in that area.
DeLay, said that this provision was "pro-environment and that
he thought it would have a positive impact on the environment, safety
and trade for the area."
Bentsen, who recently toured the river echoed the same sentiments,
"I'm pleased that the Apprpriations Committee recognized the need for
an additional $1 million to remove this threat to safety and the
environment. With $2 million, I am confident that we can remove these
abandoned barges quickly and efficiently."
Bentsen said that once the Appropriation Committee passes the
proposal, which is expected this week, it will then be added to the full
1997 National Budget, which will be presented to the full House, Senate
and President for approval. Final passage by Congress is expected this
fall.
DeLay added that he was going to pledge himself to fighting
for the enactment of the proposal throughout the legislative process.
House Committee OK's $2 million to clean up barges
Staff reports
Baytown Sun
June 20, 1996
U.S. Rep. Ken Bentsen (D-District 25) announced Wednesday the U.S.
House Appropriations Committee has approved another $1 million for the
extraction of abandoned barges from the San Jacinto River.
The $2 million total provided must now be approved by the rest of the
House of Representatives which will vote on the item next Tuesday. The item
would then go to the U.S. Senate fpr approval.
The House Appropriations Commitee also approved stipulations by
the Subcommittee on Transportation to direct the U.S. Coast Guard to fund the
barge removal out of it's 1997 fiscal year budget if the salvage operation is
unsuccessful.
Water problems at Banana Bend
June 23,1996
In a letter from the owner of the water system supplying drinking water
to the residents of Banana Bend, the owner has warned residents of problems
with the well due to low water table levels.
"The water table in the water well is at an all time low. The well is not
producing enough water. Due to the very long dry season that we are having,
this means that we may have to go to water rationing." said the letter from
Villa Utilities.
The water company has a plan already drawn up by the Texas State
Water Commission and will put it in place if the water consumption levels in the
area stay high.
"It is possible to pump the well dry, so as to eliminate this situation, do
not water (lawns) in excess. Do not leave water running and please conserve water
so all residents will have water when needed." says Villa Utilities.
Any questions can be asked by calling 383-3150 or 994-9294 (pager)
Minutes
San Jacinto River Association
Board of Directors Meeting
May 9th 1996
I. Attendance: Brad Christensen, Bobbie Lowe, Julie Gilbert, Patsy Goss
Diana Hendrix, John McDanial, Jeni Taylor, Joe and Dora Sciacca, Carolyn
Hawkins, Guest: Donald Hawkins
II. Planning 4th Annual Meeting
1. Election of Nominating Committee to comply with incorporation.
a. Nominations of 1996 Nominating Committee included: Mike
Taylor and Stella Welshimer of Highlands, Don Hawkins, Allen
Goss, Nancy Newton, and Larry Forehand of Rio Villa plus
Carolyn Hawkins and John McDanials (current boardmembers--
only 2 according to bylaws). Carolyn moved, Jeni seconded that
nominations close. Bobby moved, seconded by Patsy that the
first 5 who accept serve aas the Committee of 5 required by
bylaws. Unan. approval.
b. John, Don, Carolyn and Mike accepted immediately. Jeni will
contact Stella, Diana will contact Larry Forehand and Nancy
Newton, Patsy will ask Allen.
c. Jeni nominated Patsy ot serve as consultant on the by-laws to
the Nominating Committee, seconded by Bobbie. Unan. Approval
2. June 6 -- Nominating committee will meet at Jeni's House -- Patsy will
remind commitee members on June 3
3. June 20 -- 7 pm. -- 4th Annual Meeting meeting of SJRA at Ramsey
Center, Channelview -- Patsy will arrange locationa and notify board.
III. Resumption of dialogue with Lyondell regarding wetlands, ect. Was tabled for
a later meeting.
IV. Fund Raising : Discussion of t-shirts, frajita cookoff, ect. Tabled for later.
V. Quarterly Newsletter/Membership Drive:
1. General discussion to combine these two. Membership renewal is July 1
Communications Commiteee composed of Bobbie, Patsy, Carolyn and
Jeni will meet May 28 at PAtsy's to get out a quarterly newsletter
including notice of annual meeting and membership renewal form. News-
letter should include "What has SJRA done for you lately?" Plus inform-
ation on Jeni's report of ehr attendance at the Coastal Alliance conference
in Washington DC in March (especially the EPA's toxic sediment report
on Texas, Jeni's delivery to Congressman Bentsen's office of our letters
thanking him for his efforts to get Congressional funding for the Coast
Guard to remove the abandoned barges from the river; Bentsen and Bosse's
tour of the river with the Coast Guard on April 26 to view these hazards;
Patsy and Brad's Visit with State Rep. Fred Bosse to ask his help in
getting the Lower San Jacinto River declared a Recreational Special Use
Zone to limit future commercial dredging and new industrial development
between the Lake Houston Dam and I-10 bridge, the World Wide Web
location of the fabulous SJRA home page created by Mike & Jeni Taylor,
a list of the latest threats to our river paradise especially the new barge
company permits being granted by the Corps of Engineers on our river,
major expansions planned by ARCO and Lyondell at their Channelview
plants, purchase of much of Magnolia Gardens area by Champion Paper
(our toxic triangle -- these three plants plus barge cleaning and scrapping
operations).
2. Committee will work up a flyer to put on mailboxes in Rio Villa and
Banana Bend, since most of our members live in these subdivisions. Brad
and Bobbie felt we should also stress the positive -- how beautiful but
vulnerable is our river paradise. Focus on property values and need to
help SJRA save teh river. Brad suggested that SJRA apply for an
exclusive permit to dredge from the Dam to I-10 bridge so no commercial
dredger could get a permit.-- then we could arrange maintenance dredging
when needed. All urged him to investigate that idea's possibilities.
Special invitation to observe Capla meeting : June 25, 1996 at the Ramsey Community
center in Channelview at 6:30 p.m. -- Topic: "Seeking Environmental Improvenment: a
Report of the Houston Environmental Foresight Committee". This report was a huge
effort and is vital to our area. This would be an opportuntiy to observe CAPLA in
action; maybe you'd like to be a regular member. (see below)
Special Notice: Patsy Goss has served 3 years as our representative in the Citizens
Advisory Panel for Lyondell -- ARCO (CAPLA). She is resigning, effective in August,
due to her new responsibilities as State President of the Texas Community College
Teachers Assn. If you are interested in replacign her, please let her know ASAP (call
her at 457-6287; it is critical that SJRA have a continuing presence on this community
panel.
SUMMARY OF 1991 EPA REPORT
WATER QUALITY. AMBIENT TOXICITY AND BIOLOGICAL
INVESTIGATIONS IN THE HOUSTON SHIP BASIN AND TIDAL
SAN JACINTO RIVER
DEFINING TERMS:
Parker LaFarge is dredging in segment 1001
of the San Jacinto River. This is also referred to as
testing, location #3.
PURPOSE FOR STUDY
In the late 1960s some considered the Houston Ship Channel to
be the most polluted waterbody in the country and possibly
the world. For this reason tha primary purpose of the EPA
study was to determine if there were toxic conditions in the
ship channel and the tidal San Jacinto.
The present study was undertaken based on two concerns.
First, EPA was concerned that there was a "high potential for
toxic impact in segments 1001 end 1005 due to poor water
quality from upstream segments 1006 and 1007. Toxic impact
to 1001 was believed possible - due to upstream saltwater
intrusion, which under critical conditions, extends as far
upstream as the Lake Houston Dam."
FINDINGS OF STUDY RELATING TO SEGMENT 1001
Toxicity was jost pronounced in the algal and mysid tests,
with significant effects found at each testing station at
least once out of four or five sampling events.
Data indicates that ambient toxicity in the ship channel
varies temporally and spatially. Periodic occurances of
ambient toxicity were found in all segments tested.
The potential exists for impairment of aquatic life use
designated, for segments 1003 and 1005.
In some samples antimony, arsenic and lead appeared slightly
elevated, There presently are no legally binding numeric
criteria for these contamimants in fish tissue and arsenic is
presently under review by EPA.
Water quality criteria and water quality standards were
exceeded. the parameters of greatest concern are arsenic and
nickel. Arsenic exceeded EPA human health criteria at
stations 3 and 5 which are located in segments designated for
aquatic life use.
Mercury was detected in fish but not crab samples collected
from 1001.
3 parameters of greatest concern include antimony, arsenic
and lead. The antimony level of concern was slightly
exceeded for fish in 1001.
Average tissue concentrations of lead for both crab and fish
from segments 1001 exceeded the level of concern, 0.833 mg/k.
Based on these findings the TDH issued a fish consumption
advisory for the Houston Ship Channel and contiguous waters.
Both as a result of these analyses, and based on presence of
bleached kraft pulp and papermill discharges which are known
to contain dioxins and furans, EPA included the ship channel
segments 1005 on 304 (1) (b) list. This designation will
require that water quality based control for dioxin be
established for dioxin discharges.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS FROM CHEMICAL
CONTAMINANTS FOUND IN FISH AND SHELLFISH
PESTICIDES
DDE
ODE is an extremely persistent break-down product of DOT, which was once one of the most widely used
insectides, until its banning by EPA in 1972. DOE is a probable human carcinogen that has a high potential for
bioaccumulation in fish. Long term consumption of fish contaminated with ODE may increase the risk of cancer of
the liver and may damage the nervous system.
TOXAPHENE
Toxaphene was a widely applied insecticide until it was banned by EPA in 1982. Toxaphene is a probable
human carcinogen that has been shown to cause liver tumors in mice. Ohronic low level exposure has been
reported to cause degenerative changes to the liver, kidney, and nervous system.
CHLORDANE
Ohlordane was commonly used for termite control until it was banned in 1987 by the EPA. It is extremely
persistent in the environment and has a high potential tor bioaccumulation in fish. Long term exposure to chlordane
can lead to cancer of the liver and can cause harmful effects on the nervous system, digestive system, and liver.
DIELDRlN
Dieldrin is a persistent organochlorine pesticide which was phased out between 1974 and 1987. It is
extremely persistent in the environment and has a high potential for bioaccumulation in fish. Long term exposure
to chlordane can lead to cancer of the liver and harmful effects on the nervous system and the liver.
METALS
SELENIUM
Selenium is an essential trace element that can become toxic if excessively consumed. Environmental
distribution of selenium occurs through the burning of fuels and through mining and smelting of various metals.
Symptoms of subacute or chronic toxicity in humans include brittleness and loss of hair and nails, skin redness,
blisters, vomiting, fatigue, various neurologic symptoms, congenital defects, and liver and spleen damage.
MERCURY
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be emitted from industrial sources such as coal burning,
municipal incinerators, chlor-alkali plants, and mining. Mercury concentrations in fish can be over 100,000 times
the mercury concentration found in water. Adverse health effects from mercury include tingling of the skin,
incoordination, visual and hearing impairment, and damage to the central nervous system and brain. Infants and
children exposed prenatally may exhibit neurological symptoms similar to a cerebral palsy like syndrome. The tetus
is at a particular risk for irreversible nervous system damage from mercury poisoning~
OTHER ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
DIOXIN
Dioxin is an unwanted by~product formed during several industrial processes, including the production of
bleached paper. Dioxin is a probable human carcinogen that can cause a type of dermatitis in humans. Adverse
effects in animals include red blood cell damage, nervous system disorders, suppression of the immune system,
liver and thymus abnormalities, birth detects, and reproductive effects. Health concerns from dioxin are related to
long term, regular consumption of fish and shellfish contaminated with the persistent compound.
PCBs
ROBs are a family of commercial products used primarily in capacitors and transformers. ROBs are
probable human carcInogens fhat can persist in the environment for years and can readily bicaccumulate in fish
tissue. Adverse health effecfs in animals include liver tumors, skin irritations, reproductive and developmental
effects, suppression of the immune system, and damage to the stomach, thyroid, and kidney.
VOLATILE ORGANIC CHEMICALS
Dichloroethane and trichloroethane are volatile chemicals used mostly fo make vinyl chloride and several
solvents. They are not known to bioaccumulate in fish and are usually a retlection of the same concentration of
fhese contaminants in wafer. They have been found to cause several types of tumors in animals, including cancer of
the liver and kidney.
FISH CONSUMPTION
ADVISORIES AND CLOSURES
The following advisory has been issued from the Texas Department of Health -- Seafood Safety Division
A consumption advisory has been issued for the Houston Ship Channel and all contiguous waters, upper Galveston Bay north of a
line drawn from Red Bluff Point to five Mile Cut Marker to Houston Point.
Chemical of Concern: Dioxin
Consumption Advice: The advisory includes all species of Catfish and blue crabs and recommends consumption of no
more than one meal, not to exceed 8 ounces, each month. Women of childbearing age and children should consume
any fish from this area.
Fish in several bodies of water in Texas contain chemical residues at levels that may represent a threat to human
health if consumed. In order to inform the public of possible contamination, the Texas Department of Health issues
fish consumption advisories. In instances where a serious or imminent health threat to public health exists, the
Texas Department of Health may prohibit the taking of fish or shellfish from an area. Taking ot fish from a closed area
is a violation of State Law, enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Taking of fish from an area with a consumption
advisory is not illegal; however it is not recommended. The Texas Department of Health periodically monitors areas
of concern to determine whether changes are necessary.
GUIDELINES TO REDUCE THE RISK FROM CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS IN FISH
Organic chemicals such as ODE, toxachene, chlordane, dioxin and PCBs readily accumulate in the fat of fish tissue.
To reduce the amount of exposure to these chemicals, the skin and faffy areas of fish should be removed before
cooking. This includes the belly fat, side fat, and flesh along the top of the back. Baking or broiling skinned, trimmed
fish on a rack or grill allows more fat to orip away.
Organs such as the fish liver can be high in contaminants such as selenium and should be removed before cooking.
Mercury accumulates mainly in the muscle (fillet) of fish and cannot easily be removed by trimming skin and fat or
reduced by cooking. However, in mercury contaminated waters, smaller, younger fish have had less time to
bicaccumulate the contaminant. Predator fish such as red drum, black drum, flounder, bass, and gar accumulate
mercury by eating smaller contaminated fish.
No studies are available to determine whether cooking or trimming can remove or reduce volatile oroanic chemicals
in edible fish tissue. Texas Department Health recommends no consumption of these fish.
IN GENERAL:
Smaller and younger fish have had less time to accumulate contaminants than older and larger fish and are
safer for consumption in areas of concern.
- Removing skin and tat from fish greatly reduces risk from exposure to environmentally persistent pesticides and
organic chemicals.
- Very little risk exists from eating a few fish meals from any area of concern. Risk increases from eating contami-
nated fish frequently and regularly over a long period of time from one area of concern. Fish meals should be
taken from a variety of waterbodies to reduce or eliminate risk of heavy exposure to any one chemical or group
of chemicals.
Bird Species spotted on the San Jacinto
July 1995 -- May 1996
by Terri Wood
1 Swallow
2 Barn Swallow
3 Sparrow
4 Mourning Dove
5 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Northern Cardinal
7 Blue Jay
8 Northern Mockingbird
9 Common Grackle
10 Orchard Oriole
11 Yellow-rumped Warbler
12 Domesticated Duck
13 Great Blue Heron
14 Cormorant
15 Kilideer
16 Yellow-crowned Night Heron
17 Snowy Egret
18 Tricolored Heron
19 Laughing gull
20 Caspian Tern
21 Willet
22 Osprey
23 Common Egret
24 Brown-headed Cowbird
25 Red-bellied Woodpecker
26 White Ibis
27 Royal Tern
28 Belted Kingfisher
29 Forester Tern
30 Mallard Duck
31 Duck
32 Fish Crow
33 Olivaceous Cormorant (Long tail)
34 Double Crested Cormorant
35 Crow sp
38 Peep
37 Red Tail Hawk
38 Greater Yellow legs
39 Loggerhead shrike
40 Little Blue Heron
41 Sandpiper sp
42 Acadian flycatcher
43 Roseate spoonbill
44 Western sandpiper
45 Ringbilled gull
46 American White Pelican
47 American Robin
48 Cedar Waxwing
49 Merganser
50 Herring Gull
51 Marsh wren