City Council approves letter to Eagle Pass Water Works System concerning coal mine

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass City Council approved to authorize City Manager Gloria Barrientos to write a letter to the City of Eagle Pass Water Works System (EPWWS) Board of Trustees and management requesting them to follow the City of Eagle Pass’s legal position regarding Dos Republicas Coal Partnership’s controversial Eagle Pass Mine at their June 23, 2015 meeting.

The City of Eagle Pass’ current legal position regarding the Dos Republicas open surface coal mine is in opposition to the opening of the coal mine due to the possible contamination of the City’s potable water supply from the discharge of coal mining wastewater into Elm Creek and the Rio Grande River, air pollution caused by the mine, public health and safety issues arising from the coal mine, and other reasons.

In addition to the City of Eagle Pass, the County of Maverick, Maverick County Hospital District, Maverick County Environmental and Public Health Association, and local ranchers and farmers are opposing the Dos Republicas open pit coal mine just three miles north of the city limits of Eagle Pass in pending litigation before the Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, state district court, Texas Third Court of Appeals, and Texas Fourth Court of Appeals.

Dos Republicas is currently requesting the Eagle Pass Water Works System to service its administration building and mine with potable water from the city-owned entity.

At a May 5, 2015 Eagle Pass Water Works System Board meeting, Dos Republicas’ representatives were allowed to present a status report on the controversial Eagle Pass mine, which Mayor Ramsey English Cantu objected to as being in non-compliance with what the meeting agenda called for. Some local taxpayers complained that Dos Republicas was allowed to lobby the EPWWS Board of Trustees.

City Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez raised the issue that the City should write a letter to the EPWWS Board and management requesting the EPWWS Board and management follow the City’s legal position of opposition to the Dos Republicas coal mine.

Under agenda item No.14 calling for discussion and possible action to send a letter to the City of Eagle Pass Water Works Board of Directors and Management requesting them to follow City of Eagle Pass’s position in relation to Dos Republicas Coal Partnership, Mayor Cantu opened up the agenda item for discussion

City Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez stated that the item was pretty straight forward and that she would like to ask Council to give authority to City Manager Gloria Barrientos to write a letter to the EPWWS Board and management and request them to please follow the City’s legal position concerning the Dos Republicas coal mine. “I’m asking council to send that letter,’ said Hernandez.

During discussion, Mayor Cantu asked if there was any concern from city council members in sending this letter.   “The community is well aware that the city has maintained its position against Dos Republicas and its possible operation. Is there any issue with the city council at this point in sending this over to the water works board and also to assure their consideration on the enforcement as well,” said Mayor Cantu.

Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez made a motion that the Council approve City Manager Gloria Barrientos to draft a letter to the Eagle Pass Water Works System Board of Trustees and Management requesting them to follow the City of Eagle Pass’s legal position concerning opposition to the Dos Republicas coal mine.

Hernandez’s motion was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Rudy Villalpando.

The Council discussed how it was to be handled and what process was to be used.

“I can tell you as a member of that board, this may have stemmed from a recent presentation and just assuring more so, the citizens as we are going through a process that we follow due process and that we don’t have our entities that fall , within us , possibly giving some form of perception that we are favoring or not favoring a particular project, you know such a development as Dos Republicas,” said Mayor Cantu.

The City Council unanimously approved the motion to forward the letter to the Eagle Pass Water Works System Board and Management.