HomeMy WebLinkAbout021245 RES - 09/17/1991A RESOLUTION
URGING STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PROHIBIT
DISCHARGE OF OILFIELD BRINE INTO NUECES BAY
WHEREAS, the Texas Water Commission requires the City of Corpus Christi
to release fresh water from municipal reservoirs into Nueces Bay, in order to decrease
salinity of Nueces Bay's waters; and
WHEREAS, oilfield brines estimated at 40,000 barrels (1.68 million gallons)
are discharged daily into Nueces Bay from 63 various production sources, adding
approximately 1,000,000 pounds of dissolved solids into Nueces Bay each day; and
WHEREAS, discharge of oilfield brines increase salinity and contribute
radioactive elements, heavy metals, oil and grease, effecting contamination of the bay's
waters; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Railroad Commission will, on September 26, 1991,
initiate a hearing process to consider the effect of produced water discharges on the
hypersalinity condition of Nueces Bay and to review tidal disposal permits affecting Nueces
Bay and Nueces River Tidal Areas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Corpus Christi is concemed for the environmental
health of Nueces Bay and is currently required to release valuable fresh water from its
reservoirs to mitigate the deleterious affects of discharged oilfield brine;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That State agencies are urged to prohibit discharge into Nueces
Bay of oilfield produced brine.
SECTION 2. That this resolution be presented to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency as a public comment in support of the Agency's
anticipated proposal to make discharges of produced waters, oilfield brine, into bays and
estuaries illegal.
SECTION 3. That this resolution be presented to the Texas Railroad
Commission in support of that agency's exercising its authority to prohibit discharge of
produced water, oilfield brines, into Nueces Bay.
SECTION 4. That the City Secretary is instructed to send copies of this
resolution to Jack Ferguson, Chief of Permits Branch, United States Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 6; Michael Spear, Director, United States Fish and Wildlife
Service; Donald Moore, Branch Chief, National Marine Fisheries Habitat Conservation
Division; State Senator Bill Sims, Chairman, Senate Natural Resources Committee; State
a:91SF102.RES.rt
021245
OkaHOVE
Senator Carlos Truan, Vice -Chairman, Senate Natural Resources Committee; State
Representative Todd Hunter; State Representative Robert Earley; John Hall, Chairman,
Texas Water Commission; Gary Mauro, Commissioner, Texas General Land Office; Lena
Guerrero, Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission; Dr. Larry McKinney, Director of
Resource Protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
A 1 I EST:
PA') thic
City Secretary
APPROVED:/71-DAY OF
JAMES BRAY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: areal
Assistant"City Attorney
a:91SF102.RES.rr
1991
Corpus Christi, Texas
0
day of
tzot lrn)l91
The above resolution was passed by the following vote:
Mary Rhodes t ��
Cezar Galindo
Leo Guerrero
Betty Jean Longoria
Edward A. Martin
Joe McComb
Dr. David McNichols
Clif Moss
Mary Pat Slavik
066
L
Lit it,
1/2
021245