May 9th Guajolote Ranch Public Meeting with TCEQ Re: Lennar Homes wastewater permit. A request that could result in one million gallons per day of treated wastewater making it’s way into the Edwards Aquifer.

In a recent press conference, residents of San Antonio, Grey Forest, and Helotes came together with GEAA’s Technical Director, Nathan Glavy, to discuss preparations for the May 9th public hearing that the TCEQ has granted.

The hearing will give residents an opportunity to voice concerns over the harmful environmental impacts the Lennar Homes proposed Guajolote tract project could have on their community.

See news coverage below:

Fows29: https://foxsanantonio.com/news/instagram/neighbors-fight-possible-development-concerns-of-wastewater-in-edwards-aquifer#

News4: https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/neighbors-fight-possible-development-concerns-of-wastewater-in-edwards-aquifer#

Express-News: https://www.expressnews.com/hill-country/article/guajolote-ranch-wastewater-permit-tceq-17904362.php

GEAA’s Comments on the permit application are available HERE.

Below is the PLAN OF ACTION that GEAA has provided for community members who wish to voice their concerns with the proposed project:

1) Submit Comments to TCEQ!

Submit comments, questions, and concerns to TCEQ, utilizing the associated Water Quality (WQ) permit number: For this case, the WQ# is: WQ0016171001  

How to Submit Comments:

Public comments and requests must be submitted either

a) electronically at https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/, or

b) in writing to:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
Office of the Chief Clerk, MC105
P.O. Box 13087,
Austin, Texas 78711-3087.

Must use the associated WQ number; WQ0016171001 

Please be aware that any contact information you provide, including your name, phone number, email address, and physical address will become part of the agency’s public record and you will be added to the mailing list.

You will have until May 9, 2023, to submit any comments, questions, and concerns.

Special Note: If you believe you will be an affected landowner in this case and/or would like to request a contested case hearing for this permit, please make note of that in your written comments.

Need A Copy of the Application/Need More Information?

GEAA’s member group “Safe Scenic Loop” has posted the entire application on their website: https://www.scenicloop.org/post/1287/our-water-quality-is-in-the-hands-of-tceq/ . 

Links to the application are at the bottom of the central box of text. Further, they have a template to follow to draft up comments regarding this application

You can also access www.savesawater.org for more information

2) Attend the TCEQ Public Meeting!

Public Meeting Details:

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton

6809 N Loop 1604 West

San Antonio, TX 78249

Meeting Start: 7 PM

Confirmed with Hotel on 04/19/23: The meeting will be in Ventura Room- capacity for 200 people.

Before the Meeting:

Meeting attendees will sign in and be asked if they would like to a) submit written comments (written statements will be taken until the end of the meeting)  b) speak during the “Formal Statements to Record” portion and c) be added to the official mailing list for this permit

Two parts to this meeting:

1)     Informal Question and Answer: During this portion, meeting attendees will have the opportunity to ask any questions/comments to TCEQ and applicant representatives and receive a response. There is no time limit in this portion/no limit on the number of questions a person can ask; however, TCEQ staff will encourage everyone to have a chance to ask questions/comments and not have one individual dominate this portion. This portion will not be added/recorded to the TCEQ record.

a.      A 5–10 minute break will follow before the second part

2)     Formal Statements to Record: *Most important part of this meeting* During this portion, meeting attendees will have 3 minutes to speak and present any comments, questions, or concerns to the meeting panel that will be recorded to the TCEQ record. The panel will not respond to any questions, comments, or concerns presented during this time.

a.      Everything recorded during this portion will require a response from TCEQ when they developed the official “Response to Comment” (RTC). All individuals on the mailing list will be notified once the RTC becomes available.

Special Note: If you believe you will be an affected landowner in this case and/or would like to request a contested case hearing for this permit, please make note of that in your written comments and statement to TCEQ for the record.

3)  Donate to the Cause:

Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) is acting as a fiscal agent for this cause to raise funds for legal fees. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Donations can be received in 2 ways.

a)      Via Check sent to GEAA’s mailing address; Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, PO BOX 15618, San Antonio, TX, 78212. Please make sure in the Memo line you indicate funds are for the  “Guajolote Fund”

b)     Via PayPal at https://bit.ly/41DBHv2

a.      Special Note: On the payment screen, there is a “Note Section”. Please make sure in this section you indicate funds are for the  “Guajolote Fund”

4) Sign the Change.org Petition

a)      Sign/Distribute the Change.org Petition: https://www.change.org/p/keep-san-antonio-s-water-clean-stop-lennar-s-development-of-guajolote-ranch

b)     Every time someone signs it, a copy will be sent to the CEO of Lennar.

Please Note: Any donation to the Change.org petition does not go towards this cause. Any donations to this petition allow Change.org to further advertise this petition. Any donations to the cause must be made to GEAA, notating that the funds are for “Guajolote Fund” (See Step #3).