CONTACT: Donna Hoffman, 512-299-5776 or Art Dohmann, 361-564-7082
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
did the right thing today: Goliad County
Citizens Pleased at Decision by TCEQ to hold Contested
Case Hearing over Uranium Mining Permit
(Austin) - Over 50 local officials and citizens
from Goliad County traveled via bus and trucks
today to Austin and were pleased when the three
Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality allowed a contested case hearing concerning
an application by Uranium Energy Corporation to
mine uranium in the aquifer just north of the historic
mission town of Goliad.
No uranium mining has occurred before in the agricultural
garden spot.
"I am so happy. I just thank god for this
decision. Thank god for all the people in Goliad
County. This has been such a long, long haul and
it's not over yet," said local landowner Lu
Ann Duderstadt who lives near the area
targeted for uranium mining.
Craig and LuAnn Duderstadt, were considered by
the TCEQ to be affected parties along with several
individuals, Goliad County, the Goliad County Groundwater
Conservation District, a Lutheran church and a
volunteer fire department. The Duderstadts who
raise and sell feed hay were forced to purchase
water for domestic use in their home after UEC
exploration activities allegedly fouled the aquifer
near their ranch. They rode the bus from the Weesatch
area just north of Goliad to the TCEQ hearing in
Austin today.
"I feel like we have a chance here. And we're
still going to carry this out until the end," vowed
Mrs. Duderstadt.
At the hearing, Commissioner Larry Soward raised
the possibility of consolidating into one contested
case hearing the four UEC permit applications associated
with the uranium mining venture on the basis that
it would be more administratively cohesive for
the TCEQ. The Commissioners instead voted to grant
a hearing for the first application declared administratively
complete late last year.
The TCEQ will now refer the case to SOAH and SOAH
will schedule a preliminary hearing probably in
mid- to late April.
Houston Attorney Jim Blackburn was present to
represent Goliad County and Goliad Attorney Terry
Baiamonte was present to represent Goliad County
Ground Water Conservation District.
Blackburn also represents the County in a current
Federal Court suit concerning UEC alleged violations
of Rail Road Commission rules during exploration
activity.
