UPDATE: Residents of Elysian Fields, Texas, are in an uproar as construction begins on the region’s largest oil and gas waste disposal site, just across from local homes. The facility, developed by McBride Operating LLC, has raised serious health and environmental concerns among residents who are now witnessing heavy machinery and dump trucks on what was once their peaceful country road.
The Texas Railroad Commission approved the permit for this 187-acre site without any public hearing or local input, shocking residents who only learned of the project after its approval. Debrah Linn, a local mother with children and farm animals, expressed her alarm, stating, “I don’t want to be run out of my home by someone who doesn’t play by the rules.” Her worries echo those of many in the community, particularly as reports of odors and health issues emerge from a similar facility in nearby Waskom.
The construction site has already attracted scrutiny, as locals observe the rising mounds of earth and hear the roar of construction equipment. Bonnie Arbuckle, a U.S. Army veteran and neighbor to the site, challenged the site’s operations manager but received no answers, leaving her feeling frustrated and unheard.
The Railroad Commission’s lack of transparency is raising alarms. A legal ad was published in a small newspaper, but it did not mention Elysian Fields, leaving many residents unaware of the impending construction. Harrison County Judge Chad Sims convened a meeting in January, where residents learned the site’s developer had a troubling history, including numerous violations at its Waskom facility, which has been linked to groundwater contamination.
Residents are particularly concerned about the environmental impact. Linn noted that odors from the Waskom facility have led to complaints of headaches and nausea among locals. “People that live closer have been complaining of headaches, nausea, things like that,” she said, highlighting the risks for her daughter, who suffers from asthma.
The conflict escalates as McBride seeks to expand its operations in Elysian Fields, with the potential to accept waste from nearby Louisiana. Local activists, including Linn and Cargill, are pushing back against the expansion, citing fears that their rural community will become a dumping ground for out-of-state waste.
With the Railroad Commission previously denying McBride’s permit renewal for its Waskom site, residents are left questioning whether their voices will be heard. George Neale, an attorney representing local landowners, emphasized the critical need for regulations that prioritize community health over corporate interests.
As of now, construction at the Elysian Fields site is reported to be “nearing completion,” with waste acceptance expected to begin soon. Linn and her allies are determined to fight back, advocating for changes to Texas laws governing oilfield waste disposal. They are building a grassroots network called Texas Legacy Defense to ensure their concerns are addressed.
This urgent situation has sparked widespread local activism, as residents rally around the common goal of protecting their homes and environment. With the future of their community hanging in the balance, the fight against McBride’s expansion is just heating up.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as local residents continue to voice their concerns and demand accountability from the Railroad Commission and McBride Operating LLC.
