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Questions or Comments: superfnd@tceq.texas.gov

San Jacinto River Waste Pits

The EPA placed this site in Harris County on the National Priorities List, making it eligible for Superfund cleanup. This site was once used to dispose of paper-mill sludge beside the San Jacinto River near the IH 10 bridge. Since the site was abandoned, the river has eroded into portions of the former waste pits.

Site Investigation

To find out about the investigation and cleanup of this site, read the:

EPA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

EPA Permits and Permit Applications for Potential Impacts

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a public announcement regarding the evaluation and review of existing permits and permit applications, effective as of November 1, 2009 for the San Jacinto Waste Pits site.

This process may affect anyone who has a permit or has applied for a permit in this area:

  • all areas north from IH 10 along or within the San Jacinto River to a point approximately in line with 20400 Rio Villa Drive
  • all areas south from IH 10 along or within the San Jacinto and Old rivers to approximately the Lynchburg Ferry

Under this review process, all permit applicants and holders of permits in this area must ensure that their activities do not have an impact on the investigation and cleanup of this site. Activities that involve dredging or the disposal of dredged materials are especially of concern. Sampling may be sufficient to prove no impact on the site investigation and cleanup.

Find a map of the area of concern and more information about this process in the EPA’s public notice .

Public Meetings

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled an informal meeting for Thursday, November 15, 2012, at the Highlands Community Center, 604 Highland Woods Drive, Highlands, TX, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Highlands Community Center, 604 Highland Woods Drive, Highlands, TX. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the community with an update on the EPA’s cleanup of the site.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scheduled an Information Meeting for December 16, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Highlands Community Center, 604 Highland Woods Drive, Highlands, TX. Agency officials provided community members with information about the Time Critical Removal Action getting underway for the site and Answer Questions.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scheduled an informal meeting for Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Highlands Community Center, 604 Highland Woods Drive, Highlands, TX. The meeting objectives were to seek input and comments from the public, and provide transparency on the Government’s cleanup of the site.