Agency looks into potential hazard from pond’s silt

Residents near dump site raise questions of dangers to health

A state agency is investigating whether silt dredged from the Spring Lake Park pond poses an environmental hazard to those near where it is being dumped.

Prompted by complaints from residents of the Wamba, Texas, community north of Texarkana, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has inspected the dump site at County Road 2311 and Hudson Lane. Tatum Excavating Co., the contractor hired to dredge the pond, operates the site.

Because the investigation is ongoing, TCEQ cannot comment on it, spokesperson Andrea Morrow said. Results may not be made public for two weeks or more.

Tatum Excavating Vice President Ross Sarine said TCEQ cited no violations following its inspection of the site Aug. 9. The site is being operated legally, and neighbors have nothing to fear, he said.

Nearby residents have expressed concern about the silt, which contains organic material including wildlife feces, contaminating ground water and air.

“There’s a film in the air,” said LaMoya Burks, whose

grandmother, mother and two aunts live near the site and get their water from wells. It was disrespectful to locate the dump site so near homes in the first place, and a lack of communication has worsened the problem, she said.

“None of the neighboring homes were alerted this was a waste site,” Burks said.

Recent rain has delayed the pond dredging project, expected to continue for months. The goal is to deepen the pond from about 3 feet to 10 feet, resulting in aesthetic improvements and a healthier environment for wildlife and aquatic plants.

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