PAWNEE, Texas — Some Coastal Bend residents are concerned that the Nueces River watershed system could end up contaminated by a proposed oilfield waste business.
Bee County Precinct 2 Commissioner Dennis DeWitt said he believes the proposed waste site could end up contaminating Lake Corpus Christi.
Republic Disposal's proposal is to put in an oilfield waste business in Pawnee, Texas, a small community about 30 minutes north of Beeville. DeWitt said there have been 84 protests filed with the Railroad Commission by nearby landowners opposed to the business.
There are concerns about debris from the site drifting to nearby homes and schools. Another big issue is where that waste would go during heavy rains or flooding events.
"Once you clear that land, that water's going to go somewhere," DeWitt said. "Unfortunately it flows into an ancient creek, which eventually gets to the Nueces River, which goes into a public water supply, which supplies a lot of South Texas water."
The commissioner said he hopes the company will eventually find another site that doesn't produce so many environmental concerns. He also hopes the Nueces River Authority will help him and others build their case against the proposed waste site.
3News left several messages for the media relations contact at Republic Services for comment but have not heard back.