Tuesday, April 23, 2024
TECQ Documents
The city of Granbury’s permit application for a new wastewater treatment plant on the east side of town will be considered by commissioners with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) during a public meeting set for Wednesday, Sept. 22.
The plant, which has been controversial, could receive final approval by commissioners at that time.
However, it is also possible that commissioners will refer the matter to TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker for final action or that the dispute will go before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). A SOAH hearing is like a civil trial.
The TCEQ issued a draft permit for the facility planned for 3121 Old Granbury Road last year but did not issue a final permit at that time. Instead, the agency agreed to extend the public comment period. The agency organized a webcast that gave affected individuals an opportunity to express their views and concerns to TCEQ officials.
In early June, Baker determined that the city’s permit application “meets the requirements of applicable law.”
Those who wished to request a contested case hearing or reconsideration of Baker’s decision had 30 days in which to do so.
In a letter to stakeholders and interested parties dated Aug. 18, TCEQ Chief Clerk Laurie Gharis stated that any such requests had been forwarded to the applicant (the city of Granbury), TCEQ’s executive director (Baker) and the Public Interest Counsel of the TCEQ.
Each can file a formal written response to the hearing requests/requests for reconsideration, but must do so by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30.
In turn, those who filed timely hearing requests/requests for reconsideration may file a formal written reply to the responses. They will have until 5 p.m. on Sept. 13 to do so.
Delay in construction of the wastewater treatment plant caused the City Council to declare a development moratorium in the eastern part of the city because the existing wastewater treatment plant on Waters Edge Drive is near capacity.
According to the city, that plant could not be expanded due to TCEQ permit requirements for that site and because of a contractual agreement with nearby individuals and homeowners associations.
When Baker informed stakeholders and interested parties of his decision in June, he also issued a 51-page document titled “Executive Director’s Response to Public Comment.” In that document, he addressed every concern that had been raised by those who opposed the plant. (Both Baker's letter and his response to public comment can be found on this website. They are posted alongside the article "TCEQ: Wastewater plant meets requirements.")
If built, the wastewater treatment plant will operate with Membrane Bioreactor technology, discharging up to 2 million gallons of treated domestic wastewater per day into a tributary of Rucker Creek, which feeds into Lake Granbury.
City officials have stated that the facility will pose no health or environmental risks and that there will be no sewage smell emanating from the site.
Coffman told the HCN in June that the City Council will likely act quickly to lift the development moratorium if the permit is granted.
In response to the notice about the Sept. 22 meeting, Coffman said he is "cautiously optimistic." He provided this written statement to the HCN:
"The City of Granbury has been diligent in every step thus far in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) application process for the new wastewater treatment plant.
"TCEQ Executive Director Toby Baker has previously stated that every concern raised by local citizens has been addressed and that the city's application adhered to the law. To be a good neighbor, the city has exceeded the regulations by addressing odor control, noise control and light pollution in our application. The high-quality wastewater effluent discharge will be a beneficial stream flow to Rucker Creek and Lake Granbury."
