7/11/06 - The NTMWD has begun seeking regulatory approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)for the project
As citizens, we are given the right under our constitution to assemble and discuss any subject or topic that we may think is important. Any issues that impact our lives or the lives of our fellow citizens may be presented for discussion. In turn, we may petition the government to address our concerns and answer our questions.
Such a situation has arisen here in Mesquite. Recently the North Texas Municipal Water District announced an expansion of the Mesquite Wastewater treatment plant located near Lawson road in south Mesquite. It has garnered some citizen attention.
The NTMWD has begun seeking regulatory approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)for the project. NTMWD seeks to increase capacity of the plant from 25 million gallons a day to 41 million gallons a day. With the first expansion to start summer 2008.
With this news, a group of Mesquite residents spearheaded by Dr. Terri White of Mesquite, are planning to request a public meeting with the NTMWD to discuss their concerns and questions about the proposed expansion. They range anywhere from how advanced the technology to be used is, and whether its even benefical for Mesquite, to flat-out opposition to the expansion.
Those who feel some good can be done for the community by holding a public meeting about the expansion of the system, are encouraged to contact others who may be interested in participating.
If there are enough citizens raising concerns, the TCEQ will hold the public meeting. That would then be followed by another planning stage. Once that is completed and both the NTMWD and TCEQ have a plan, another public meeting will be held so citizens may add additional input or challenge the project.
If anyone is interested in participating in the citizens group in requesting a public meeting about the expansion of Mesquite's wastewater plant, Please contact Dr. Terri White: terlws@hotmail.com
If anyone would like to write the NTMWD about this issue, the address is: North Texas Municipal Water District Administrative Offices 505 East Brown St. PO Box 2408 Wylie, Texas 75098
The address in which to write the Texas commission on Environmental Quality is: LaDonna Castanuela TCEQ Chief Clerk MC 105, PO Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Be sure to include in the subject line the name of the facility name and any identifying permit numbers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sergio Garcia