The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will hold a public meeting Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Presidio to gather comments and questions about the proposed renewal of a wastewater discharge permit for the historic Shafter Mine in Presidio County.
State Sen. César Blanco announced the meeting and encouraged residents to participate in the public comment process, which remains open.
Blanco said he requested that TCEQ hold the meeting in Presidio County to give local residents an opportunity to express their concerns directly to state environmental regulators.
The meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Presidio High School cafeteria, 1000 E. Highway 170 in Presidio.
The permit application concerns wastewater discharges associated with the Shafter Mine, a historic silver mining site in the mountainous region of Presidio County.
Wastewater discharge permits establish conditions under which facilities may release treated wastewater into the environment. The permitting process provides an opportunity for regulators to evaluate potential environmental impacts and for members of the public to raise concerns about water quality and surrounding natural resources.
The proposed renewal is subject to review by TCEQ. The public meeting will allow residents to submit comments, ask questions and raise concerns about the application before the agency makes a final determination.
Residents who cannot attend the meeting may submit written comments online through the TCEQ public comment system or by mail.
Written comments may be mailed to the TCEQ Office of the Chief Clerk, MC-105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.
According to Blanco’s announcement, the public comment period will remain open until after the Oct. 27 meeting.
The meeting is open to community members interested in the proposed permit renewal and its potential implications for Presidio County’s water resources and environment.
