http://www.tceq.texas.gov A collection of photos from the Butler Ranch state Superfund site. daily 1 2011-08-17T01:01:01Z http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo1 A photograph, taken January 15, 1975, showed a view of Pit Number 1 from the southwestern edge. Rain runoff had filled the pit and hidden the debris. The site was first brought to the attention of the Texas Water Commission (predecessor to TCEQ) in October 1974 when an inspector's audit showed loads of waste vinyl chloride tar were disappearing between Houston and the approved Oklahoma disposal site. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:27:57Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo2 Aerial reconnaissance was flown over the Butler Ranch to pinpoint the disposal sites. Texas Water Quality Board investigators used a trucking company's receipts to trace additional Oklahoma-bound loads of waste from Houston businesses to the Karnes County ranch. The owners of the ranch eventually paid a fine of $9,000 for illegally accepting hazardous waste No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:27:57Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo3 A private road was the only access to Pit Number 1 from Farm to Market Road 791. The loop at the end of the road made it easy for larger trucks to get turned around so they could exit after they had dropped their loads. Any activity at Pit Number 1 would be hidden from view from FM 791. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:27:58Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/pit2a_jpg.jpg This aerial photograph gives a good view of how the pits on Butler Ranch were difficult to spot from ground level. A hill blocked any view of the two pits from Farm to Market Road 791. A complaint to the Labor Board from a truck driver that he had not been paid, connected the Houston waste to the Butler Ranch site. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:27:58Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo5 After owners refused to share costs, the TCEQ (formerly TNRCC) removed the drums and removed over 800 cubic yards of waste contaminated with styrene tar. The wastes were found to include naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and were subsequently disposed of in a landfill permitted for NORM wastes in Clive, Utah. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:27:59Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo6 During the cleanup process, bi-lingual warning signs were attached to a barbed wire fence that marked the boundary between the FM 791 right of way and the Butler Ranch. The signs were intended to warn trespassers about waste hazards in the pits. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:28:00Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/photo7 By April 2000, the barrels of waste had been removed and the base of Pit Number 1 was relatively dry. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:28:00Z Image http://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/superfund/photo_gallery/butler/page9 After remediation, vegetation begins to take hold. No publisher Robin Maiorisi 2011-08-22T20:28:01Z Image