We will visit the San Jacinto River Pits Superfund Site on Oct. 4, 2019 at 8:00 am CDT. Jackie Young, the executive director of the Texas Health & Environmental Alliance, will join us to offer an orientation to the site's background and impact on the surrounding community. We should finish our tour by 9:00 am. Tour will proceed rain or shine unless conditions get threatening (look for updates here, or via emails to the class).
Jackie provided the following information about where to meet, clothing to wear, and some information on what to expect:
1. the launch location is on the west side of the river, so we will meet at the Pits' gates. There is plenty of parking.
2. Closed toe shoes suggested, pants not necessary. You might want to wear a hat if the sun bothers you.
3. The closest physical address is 18001 East fwy, Channelview, TX 77530. To get there, exit Monmouth, go left at the stop sign (under interstate 10), the next stop sign will be at the westbound feeder, go straight. Once you come to the first street turn right. That will loop you back to the feeder but at that point it will be two way traffic. Go left until you get to the Waste Pits.
4. You might want to bring sunscreen or bug spray. The Harris County Attorney's Office has offered to provide a boat tour of the site, and that tour will start at 9:30 am. If we have more students than available boat space - the boats likely can only handle 5 or 6 students - we will draw lots among students who wish to go. We should finish the boat tour by 11 am at the latest. We may also be joined by Harris County Constable Alan Rosen, who has an interest in environmental legal issues as well.
The maps below provide more information. The highlighted yellow spot on IMG_1239 is where they will end up. The purple route on IMG_1242 is how they will travel once they exit Monmouth (it can be confusing).
If you have any difficulty finding the site or have last-minute questions, please call or text me at my cell number (713-775-8874). Remember that this visit is completely optional and is NOT required for your class grade. But I hope you find it illuminating and a fascinating experience.
