Landfill opposition growing in Cleveland

By Tony Farkas
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CLEVELAND — A proposed landfill in the southwest part of San Jacinto County, opposed by area residents, is now being panned by neighboring counties.

On June 21, the Cleveland City Council, at its regular meeting, unanimously approved a resolution opposing an application by Peach Creek Co. for a landfill seven miles northwest of the intersection of Highway 59 and State Highway 105.

While the intersection is within the Cleveland city limits, the landfill would be located in San Jacinto County.

Area residents have attended several meetings of the San Jacinto County Commissioners’ Court in protest of the landfill over the last several months. Among the complaints registered include the possibility of contamination of ground and surface water, as well as access roads not included in the permit application.

According to the resolution, the Cleveland City Council will oppose the application because the city is directly downstream from the landfill site.

The City Council believes it is inevitable the landfill will leak, which will lead to soil contamination in the area and pollution to nearby streams, rivers and tributaries, the resolution states.

The resolution states the city “strongly” opposes any approval by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and will send a copy of the resolution directly to the TCEQ as well as state representatives and senators.

Information about the landfill permit can be found at https://www15.tceq.texas.gov/crpub/index.cfm?fuseaction=regent.showSingleRN&re_id=407344062019241.