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San Ygnacio Fights Back Against Dump Site Proposal

By KGNS News

Story Created: Feb 3, 2012 at 6:09 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2012

It's been over a year since Texas Energy Services proposed to expand its saltwater disposal site near San Ygnacio to include oil field waste.
But over a year later, Zapata County continues fighting against the idea.
And as our Annette Garcia reports, the battle is far from over but the town is beginning to see more support.
Zapata County Judge Joseph Rathmell says it's obvious what good Eagle Ford has done for his neighboring counties.
But he says those counties need to accept the ugly side too.
“We don’t envision San Ygnacio becoming a dump site.”
His isn't experiencing any of the Eagle Ford boom.
It is flooded with traffic, but being used as a place to take Eagle Ford wastes.
And about a year ago Texas Energy Services proposed to expand its dumping facility to include oil field wastes too.
The site is less than a mile away from historic San Ygnacio held so dear to the county.
“Commissioners court has been very supportive of companies that have done business here but we're always been able to take care of our own waste.”
“I don’t think it should be placed on the burden of other counties not involved on Eagle Ford play.”
Even those who don't live here are joining in on the fight.
“The site from what we heard is that the site is about 500 feet from a creek that drains just up street from the Zapata county intake plant.”
“That’s our only water source.”
“San Ygnacio is the historic town of Zapata county.”
His plea to Texas Energy Services is that “they remove their application. That’s our biggest hope.”
The town'’ opposition is making headlines. Their concerns even made the front page of the San Antonio Express News earlier this week proving San Ygnacio's voices are being heard loud and clear at least for now.
Texas Energy Services had said that the county's fears have no basis.
The county and other groups are coming together on Monday February 13th to discuss the issue at a town hall meeting.
The meeting will be held in San Ygnacio at 6:30 p.m. at the Martinez Civic Center, which is located next to the Lozano convenience store on Highway 83.