South Texas Uranium News
4/07/08
State Regulatory Agencies Fail to Protect South
Texans From Uranium Mining
Given that the price of uranium
has surged in the past two years, interest by companies to lease, explore, and mine in South
Texas is also surging. Officials in Kleberg
County, where in situ uranium mining began in the 1980’s, and in Goliad County, where
exploration activity is occurring and a permit for mining has been applied for, are
struggling to inform their citizens about mining techniques and possible harmful effects
on groundwater.
Residents in these areas are
responding by attending meetings and forming advisory committees. Journalists in Kingsville, Goliad, Victoria, and Corpus
Christi are writing and publishing articles about concerns of citizens and county
officials over poor legislation and regulation at the state level which allow companies to
continue exploring and mining even when agreements to restore groundwater are not kept.
Dan Kelley, investigative reporter
for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, has written an excellent series in that
newspaper clearly describing how state law does not require the Texas Railroad Commission
or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to protect Texas groundwater from unsafe
mining activities. To read this fascinating
and informative series, click on:
http://www.caller.com/news/2006/nov/06/laws-keep-industry-activities-secret/
and
http://www.caller.com/news/2006/nov/05/as-uranium-mines-closed-state-altered-cleanup/
Additional articles documenting
problems with uranium exploration and mining can be found quickly on the websites of the Kingsville
Record and the Victoria Advocate by using their search windows.
April 7, 2008
Venice Scheurich
3/31/08
Uranium Controversy Intensifies in Texas
On Sunday, March 30,
2008, the Austin American-Statesman ran a detailed report on the current status of
the uranium mining controversy in South Texas. The
story was written by Robert Elder and features a map and several
illustrations—including one of an exploration borehole which landowners claim was not
properly plugged, therefore allowing contaminants to enter the aquifer.
To read this informative
account, click on:
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/03/30/0330uranium.html
PUBLIC MEETING HOSTED BY TCEQ ON
UEC’S REQUEST TO MINE URANIUM IN GOLIAD COUNTY
On January 24, 2008, hundreds of
concerned citizens packed the meeting hall in Goliad to question, comment, and learn about
the application of Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC) to mine uranium in Goliad County.
About fifty people signed up to speak at the meeting which was hosted by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Of these speakers, only two supported
UEC’s permit application request. Lone Star Communications Coordinator, Donna
Hoffman, voiced concerns about the granting of the permit, as did Pat Suter, Chairperson
of Coastal Bend Sierra. Other Sierrans also spoke or handed in written comments expressing
their concerns. To read more about the meeting, click on: http://texas.sierraclub.org/press/newsreleases/20080124.asp
Submitted by:
Venice Scheurich
Mina Williams
10-04-2007
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON GOLIAD
URANIUM ACTIVITY 10/03/07
On Wednesday, October 3, 2007, investigative reporter Greg Harman filed a comprehensive
account in the San Antonio Current of the struggle that Goliad County officials and
citizens are mounting to forestall uranium mining, which they believe has the potential to
contaminate the Gulf Coast Aquifer.
Harman also details
some of the history of uranium mining in other south Texas counties. His report can be
found at: http://www.sacurrent.com/util/printready.asp?id=67503
09-29-2007
GOLIAD URANIUM MINING OPPOSITION STRENGTHENS
by Art Dohmann
On September 26, 2007, Goliad County officials and
citizens held a press conference near the site where Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC) has
done extensive exploratory drilling and where UEC hopes to start mining if they are
granted a permit by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
During the press conference, Art Dohmann, President
of the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District (GCGCD) and Chair of the
Commissioners’ Court Uranium Research and Advisory Committee (URAC), delivered the
following comments explaining why Goliad County opposes UEC’s request for the mining
permit from TCEQ. "Groundwater is the lifeblood for Goliad County and it is vital
that we protect it.For the past nine months, we have conducted research and participated
in a number of well-attended conferences to inform landowners, and other concerned
citizens and stakeholders.
In May of 2006, UEC commenced drilling of
exploration boreholes under permit number 123 in the north-northeast part of Goliad County
between 15 mile and 18 mile Coleto Creeks. This activity was begun at the east end of the
permit area and progressed to the west with increased drilling occurring from November
2006 until April of 2007. Drilling was significantly curtailed during the May-July 2007
time period while surface violations were being remediated.
In November and December of 2006, GCGCD conducted
the first water baseline testing of 18 user wells around the exploration area. The results
of these tests showed good water in 15 wells and high radionuclides in 3 wells which are
located downdip to the exploration.
In April 2007, GCGCD was advised by five landowners
updip of the exploration area that they were experiencing filter plugging and dirty water
with their domestic use wells. Their wells have been in service for many years and these
landowners have not experienced this problem previously. GCGCD retested these wells in
April 2007, and found significant changes in mineral and iron content in four of the
wells. The fifth well was experiencing only a red coloration in the fixtures and had no
identified quality changes.
The Railroad Commission of Texas was provided
detailed information of this condition but made no investigation and concluded that it was
possibly due to a change from drought conditions to wet conditions. This area has
experienced many drought and wet cycles in the past and has not observed this dirty water
condition previously.
Beginning in December 2006, and continuing until
June 2007, UEC has completed 20 monitor wells within the exploration area. These monitor
wells were drilled after the boreholes were drilled and these monitor wells are very close
to the boreholes, in some cases within 20 feet. Baseline water samples from these wells
all show elevated levels of Radium 226, well above allowable levels for drinking water.
The highest reading is 300 times the allowable.The quality of this water can not be
considered pre-exploration quality when it is drawn after all of the boreholes were
drilled which disturbed the aquifer.This procedure strongly suggests that better
regulations are required to protect the environment and natural resources of the State of
Texas.
To give you an idea of the importance of water to
Goliad County, there are over 4,000 water wells that serve the domestic, livestock, and
business needs for the County. Without this supply of good quality groundwater, Goliad
County would suffer a major catastrophe. Looking to the future, 100-120 new service wells
are drilled each year to supply a steady growth spearheaded by an urban movement towards
the pristine natural beauty and quality of life offered by Goliad County. Goliad County
groundwater is supplied by the Gulf Coast Aquifer with the principal aquifer segments
being the Evangeline and the Chicot. The Evangeline Aquifer is at the surface for
approximately 2/3 of the northern part of the county and is overlaid by the Chicot Aquifer
in the southern end of the county. The Gulf Coast Aquifer consists of interbedded sands
and clays and is considered a non-confined aquifer. These underground geological
formations through which water flows are not appropriate for in-situ uranium mining. It is
simply not possible to do in a safe manner.
The north end of the county is the recharge zone for
much of the water used in the county. The flow of the aquifer is to the southeast and it
slopes at an average rate of 90 feet in the north of the county with a gradual flattening
to 30 feet in the south of the county. Faulting can alter the normal flow of the aquifer
to a lateral flow and also to a vertical flow. The uranium ore was deposited in the water
sands of the Evangeline Aquifer millions of years ago. These uranium deposits are stable
until dissolved by oxygenated water injection or by being disturbed mechanically.
After careful evaluation of:
the unconfined and sloping features of the Gulf
Coast Aquifer;
the Railroad Commission of Texas reports on permit
number 123 site reclamation and gamma radiation results;
the results of the model prepared by Daniel B.
Stephens and Associates;
the sudden deterioration of water quality;
and other issues—
URAC’s assessment is that ‘in our judgment
in-situ leach mining could not be done safely in Goliad County.’Groundwater is the
lifeblood for Goliad County. It is vital that we protect it. There are many negative
factors associated with borehole exploration and ISL uranium mining and our concern is the
impact on groundwater.
By notice issued August 29, 2007, the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) notified property owners adjacent to the
exploration permit number 123 area that Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC) had applied an
application to obtain a new Underground Injection Control Permit proposing to conduct
in-situ recovery of uranium at their facility in Goliad County. On September 6, 2007, a
contested case hearing on behalf of Goliad County Commissioners’ Court, Goliad,
Texas, was requested by legal counsel."
-Updated 9/29/2007
08/17/07
GOLIAD COUNTY TO CONTEST PERMIT FOR URANIUM MINING
The following report is excerpted from the August
15, 2007, edition of The Texan Express, Goliad’s Hometown Newspaper.
The Goliad County Research and Advisory Committee
(URAC) is charged with protecting and preserving the quality of the environment and the
groundwater supply in Goliad County. URAC advises the Goliad County Commissioners’
Court on actions and decisions to be made by the Commissioners’ Court in regard to
the potential mining of uranium in Goliad County.
For the past eight months, URAC has carefully
evaluated data and activities associated with uranium exploration conducted under Railroad
Commission of Texas Permit Number 123 and the potential application and approval of a
mining permit under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ).
At a special meeting of URAC on Tuesday, July 31,
2007, the nine members present of a ten member committee voted unanimously that, in their
judgment, in-situ leach mining could not be done safely in Goliad County. This assessment
was the result of many inputs, including:
- March 27, 2007, inspection report of the Railroad
Commission of Texas on exploration permit number 123 site, which focused on assessing the
borehole site reclamation. This report included a citation for numerous plugging and
surface reclamation deficiencies.
- May 9, 2007, gamma radiation survey report of the
Railroad Commission of Texas on exploration permit number 123 site, confirming some
elevated gamma radiation-level observations in the disturbed borehole drilling areas.
- May 30, 2007 (updated June 1, June 26 and July 5,
2007) report from the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District (GCGCD) regarding
groundwater quality, which tracked five water wells with dirty water and water-level
changes up dip of extensive exploration borehole drilling under permit number 123.
- The Daniel B. Stephens and Associates report dated
June 25, 2007, titled "Evaluation of Potential Impacts Related to Proposed Uranium
Mining in Goliad County, Texas." This report noted a number of potential problems of
groundwater contamination and reduction of supply.
- Studies of the requirements of ISL uranium mining
requiring a confined aquifer. The Gulf Coast Aquifer in Goliad County is not a confined
aquifer.
- Historic data from past ISL uranium mining
operations.
- Goliad County residents’ testimony.
URAC maintains that, while there are many negative
factors associated with borehole exploration and ISL uranium, the major issue is the
impact on groundwater. The Committee recognizes that the Gulf Coast Aquifer in Goliad
County does not meet the requirements for ISL uranium mining. The aquifer slope of 20-40
feet per mile, the hydraulic gradient of five feet per mile, and the aquifer’s being
non-confined are all major factors.
During borehole exploration, the water sands that
supply water required in the area for domestic and livestock use, are penetrated many
times. Residents living in the area of concentrated borehole drilling under permit number
123 have experienced disrupted and contaminated water supplies. Dirty water, even though
it may not be contaminated with radio nuclides, is not tolerable.
Goliad County Commissioners and URAC wish to release
this statement. URAC intends to contact the Railroad Commission of Texas, the Texas
Commission on Environment Quality, and the Texas Department of Health, providing them with
this press release and a letter of explanation.URAC recommends that the
Commissioners’ Court allocate funds in the budget to provide the necessary funding
for a contested case hearing before TCEQ in opposition to permits allowing uranium mining
in Goliad County.
The Court approved funding for a contested case
hearing on the UEC permit [on August 13, 2007].
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04/03/07
Hundreds of Uranium Exploration Violations in Goliad County
Hundreds of violations by Uranium Energy Corporation
were found when the Texas Railroad Commission followed up on a complaint filed by
Blackburn/Carter representing Goliad County. The complaint filed February 6, 2007 alleged
that Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC) was not disposing drill fluids and potentially
harmful cuttings in accordance with the approved UEC Permit 123. The complaint also
alleged that UEC’s activities were adversely impacting the area ground water
resources.
Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) met with UEC
representatives prior to the inspection on March 7, 2007. Joining TRC and UEC were
representatives from Goliad County and a hydrologist. TRC collected soil samples, shot
photos, and inspected borehole sites and adjoining areas during their three day inspection
of the surface areas in UEC Permit 123.
UEC in Section IV A stated their company would
backfill to above grade to allow for settling of soil. This prevents the formation of pits
or depressions in pasturelands. Eleven of the one-hundred and seventeen mud pits were in
violation.
Marking boreholes was almost non existent. Only six
of 117 boreholes could be found. TRC used 3 different systems trying to locate the
boreholes. The only way that the Railroad Commission could find these holes was by looking
for evidence of a borehole. Section IV B of Permit 123 stated UEC would mark each
borehole, so that the Railroad Commission could locate these.
When TRC issued the permit, it stated that each
borehole drilled in the project was to have a ten-foot surface plug located three feet
below the surface. Only 14 of the 117 boreholes could be verified to have a surface plug.
Of the fourteen found, five were found open to the surface with a cement plug greater than
20 feet below the surface. The rest of the plugs were found between 0 and 18 inches below
the surface.
Also in violation were mud pits. UEC stated they
would allow these to dry before backfilling with subsoil and cuttings. TRC saw these pits
being filled quickly. This causes drilling fluids to remain on top of the soil. This
reclamation failure was also found at several older drill holes.
Town hall meetings are being scheduled in Goliad to
give updates on uranium mining. Citizens will be given time to ask questions and provide
input. Town hall meetings are scheduled as:
April 10 (Tues) - 7:00 p.m -
Weesatche Community Center
April 11 (Wed) - 7:00 p.m. - Ander-Weser
Volunteer Fire Department on FM 1961
April 12 (Thur) - 7:00 p.m. - Immaculate
Conception Parish Hall - 225 N. Commercial St., Goliad
For additional information, call Margaret A.
Rutherford at 361-645-2083 or email her at marutherford@sbcglobal.net
Margaret A. Rutherford
President of Uranium Information at Goliad (UIAG)
P.O. Box 993 Goliad, TX 77963
Ph. 361-645-2083
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