Dig Deeper Texas

Does anyone know anything about this judge’s decision ordering the TCEQ not to use chemicals to fight the fire? It certainly isn’t being reported in the news, just a tidbit here and there.

Fight over Compost Fire Costs Going to Court | WOAI.COM: San Antonio News

Zumwalt’s attorney did tell News 4 WOAI the judge ordered the state to stop using chemicals to fight the fire.

Mulch Owner Sues TCEQ - Local News

Zumwalt’s attorney Michael Black said a court ordered Oil Mop, the contracting company, to refrain from using chemicals to put out the fire and allow Zumwalt access to his property.

Theoretically, you would think that the TCEQ wouldn’t use any chemicals that might “negatively impact” the Edward’s Aquifer. The agency has even mentioned the difficulty fighting a fire over the water supply of the 8th largest city in the United States.

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hired a firm Monday at an estimated cost of $1.75 million to put out the blaze.

Because the aquifer that supplies the region’s water is nearby, chemicals that might quickly douse the fire couldn’t be widely used, said TCEQ spokesman Terry Clawson.

“You can’t stress too much the environmental sensitivity issue,” he said, noting that any type of water runoff from firefighting can be hazardous.

But then again, this is the same agency that allowed Zumwalt to build a mulch pile three times the size he was allowed to by his permit.

Technorati Tags: TCEQ, Helotes, Mulch Fire, Zumwalt, chemicals

Filed under: Helotes, Henry Zumwalt, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality