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Posts published in “Day: April 22, 2015”

New Waste Pits study calls for removal

Apr 22, 2015
San Jacinto River Coalition’s Jackie Young, left, and consultant Kathleen Garland, Geologist at UH Clear Lake. The two spoke last Wednesday night at a community meeting, to present an environmental report on EPA guidelines for toxic sites.
San Jacinto River Coalition’s Jackie Young, left, and consultant Kathleen Garland, Geologist at UH Clear Lake. The two spoke last Wednesday night at a community meeting, to present an environmental report on EPA guidelines for toxic sites.

EPA guidelines for toxic sites examined

HIGHLANDS – About 60 interested residents of the Highlands and Channelview are attended a briefing last Wednesday evening, held at the San Jacinto Community Center in Highlands.

The meeting was hosted by Jackie Young, environmental activist with the San Jacinto River Coalition, and TexansTogether.

Young had contracted with an instructor of hers, Dr. Kathleen Garland, to prepare a report on EPA guidelines for dealing with toxic waste sites, as applied to other locations around the United States.

Garland teaches at the University of Houston Clear Lake, and is a Geologist and Environmental Management Expert.

Garland worked from existing data, on how the federal EPA had dealt with other toxic Superfund sites similar to the San Jacinto Waste Pits. Young’s hypothesis is that if the cases are similar, and EPA has required removal of toxic materials, then they should call for a similar solution in the San Jacinto River, therefore treating
this in a similar method as others.

Young said that a final decision will be made by the EPA this spring, since the National Remedy Review Board is meeting in April, and announced in a Final Report in September 2015.

Waste Pits in the San Jacinto River received this containment cap, a membrane covered with rocks, in 2013. The “Responsible Parties” are arguing that this is all that needs to be done, but the San Jacinto River Coalition want complete removal.
Waste Pits in the San Jacinto River received this containment cap, a membrane covered with rocks, in 2013. The “Responsible Parties” are arguing that this is all that needs to be done, but the San Jacinto River Coalition want complete removal.

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Rep. Gene Green to host annual job fair

Apr 22, 2015

Over 50 confirmed employers from the public and private sector will be participating and seeking to hire

NORTH CHANNEL – Congressman Gene Green invites constituents to his 13th Annual Job Fair on Monday, April 27th at San Jacinto College North from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“We have employers coming from all over the Houston area, and job opportunities ranging from lifeguards to sales representatives to police cadets,” Green said.

“Changing careers or landing that first job can be challenging. Our hope is that this job fair creates a space where people can meet potential employers from a variety of industries and make that first connection or take that first step.”

The event is being organized in conjunction with Workforce Solutions and the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce, and will host over 50 employers that are looking to fill full and part-time, and seasonal positions immediately.

In addition to job opportunities, Workforce Solutions will be offering assistance on interviewing skills and resume critiquing. Attendees should dress professionally and bring resumes. For a full list of participating employers, visit Congressman Gene Green’s website.

San Jacinto College North, Monument Room is located at 5800 Uvalde Road, Houston, TX 77049.

GP/JC COMMUNITY-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP: Panama Canal talk by Bill Diehl

Apr 22, 2015
CAPT. BILL DIEHL, USCG (RET) and President of the Port Bureau
CAPT. BILL DIEHL, USCG (RET) and President of the Port Bureau

GALENA PARK – Participants in the CIP heard industry reports of safety and emissions last month, but they also heard two interesting talks by industry leaders.

Derrick Bockius, plant manager of the new Kinder-Morgan facility in Galena Park reported that the plant was now on line, and producing about 50,000 gallons/day. This is Unit 1, and Unit 2 will go on line later this year, he said. The distillate product is being sent to local Galena Park companies, and to barges for export. Bockius said that the city of Galena Park should realize about $4 million yearly from this new plant.

Capt. Bill Diehl, president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau, made a detailed slide presentation on the status of the new Panama Canal work, and explained how it would affect commerce in the Houston Port area.

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