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The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection conducted a public hearing Wednesday to hear community concerns on the NDEP's recommendation to approve a permit that would allow Bango Oil to discharge up to 5 million gallons of treated effluent annually.
The discharge area is uphill from the Carson River and near the Truckee Canal and has a general groundwater depth as high as 16 feet.
Tom Clark, director of governmental affairs and public relations for Bango, said the company requested this permit as a part of a Special Environmental Project issued by the NDEP.
Clark said the NDEP issued the project when Bango Oil assembled equipment prior to being issued an expansion permit. He said Bango officials thought this was permissible as long as the equipment was not operated, which was inaccurate. The NDEP issued a partial fine and special project.
The project, a water treatment facility, will allow Bango to clean water used in its operations to state standards, which Clark said is not drinkable but clean. Clark said this would also reduce trucks on Bango Road by 85-90 percent, resolving some resident concerns about traffic. Clark said the water will be used for dust control and general clean-up on Bango property.
Community members primary concern was that water containing harmful chemicals would seep into the area's well water and possibly into the Carson River and Truckee Canal.
“I oppose this permit,” said resident Veto Quilici. “I oppose anything that will allow treated chemical to be pumped onto the ground. We don't know what this will do. If the bureaucrats allow this they will be sorry in the future.”
Many attendees have been involved with previous odor complaints against Bango Oil and feel this will further damage their quality of life.
“I can see Bango Oil from my home, I can smell it, I don't want to bathe in it,” said resident Holly Bute.
Clark said these concerns are not based on evidence and NDEP Public Information Officer Jill Lufrano confirmed testing showed all chemicals were treated and harmless.
“The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection would never allow us to put water back into a source that would be so heavy it would contaminate their drinking water and the Carson River,” Clark said, adding comment about the chemicals. “It's another one of those unscientific allegations. If there were, the NDEP would never let us go forward.”
President Ernie Schank of the Truckee Canal Irrigation District said he trusts the state and county would not allow a permit that could effect their water systems.
“To my knowledge it's not going to affect any of our facilities,” Schank said.
Another concern attendees voiced was the request for a 14,000 gallon maximum discharge per day when the facility only needs to discharge 1,000 gallons for operations.
“This permit will write Bango Oil a blank check,” said resident Lorraine Griffin. “What is to stop them from bringing in oily water from outside sources?”
Clark said originally Bango Oil wanted to make the water available to the county for any use, so Bango applied for a larger amount of discharge, but the county rejected that offer. He said it would take too much time and money to amend the maximum and could possibly send Bango back to the beginning of the application process. Still, he said there are no plans to use that maximum.
“They said it (trucking in water for treatment) would be so tremendously expensive, it wouldn't be worth it,” Clark said.
Many residents also expressed fear of a lack of oversight if Bango receives the permit, pointing out the application states it is Bango's responsibility to provide some environmental information to the NDEP.
“You're expecting Bango Oil to tell you what they're doing,” said resident Dave German. “They're not doing what they're saying.”
Lufrano said the NDEP is going above and beyond because of complaints. She said the NDEP is requiring Bango to install a ground water meter to alert the NDEP of contamination, and she said NDEP will do at least two-three visits per year, and more the first year, along with at least one unannounced visit to collect samples.
“The NDEP's got us under a microscope,” Clark said. “If we do anything they have not permitted us to do, they are not going to be happy with us. If the NDEP sees us watering anything other than our property, the NDEP can come out and shut us down.”
Residents also suggested solutions. Some suggested continuing to truck water out, and others said they would feel better with strict oversight and regular environmental testing.
County Manager Brad Goetsch asked the NDEP to research why lined evaporation pools were not being used. Goetsch said lined pools were installed originally, and the county and Bango approved them, but the NDEP removed them.
Clark said that decision was made by the NDEP for fear the ponds were a source of the odors.
Chief John Palm of the Bureau of Water Pollution Control informed the audience their questions would be answered after the final decision was made. Attendees said they felt placated.
“We're sick of it,” said resident Richard Wideman. “We're tired of these meetings night after night ... It seems like this is just to appease these people — to have another meeting before saying yes.”
Others said they are taking their issues with Bango to large media outlets and the governor, who oversees the NDEP.
“They're not going to listen to us,” Quilici said. “These bureaucrats will do whatever they want.”
Lufrano said she understands people are concerned, and there is a lot of confusion about the process. But she said comments are taken into consideration and all questions are looked into prior to the decision even though answers are not distributed until after.
The discharge area is uphill from the Carson River and near the Truckee Canal and has a general groundwater depth as high as 16 feet.
Tom Clark, director of governmental affairs and public relations for Bango, said the company requested this permit as a part of a Special Environmental Project issued by the NDEP.
Clark said the NDEP issued the project when Bango Oil assembled equipment prior to being issued an expansion permit. He said Bango officials thought this was permissible as long as the equipment was not operated, which was inaccurate. The NDEP issued a partial fine and special project.
The project, a water treatment facility, will allow Bango to clean water used in its operations to state standards, which Clark said is not drinkable but clean. Clark said this would also reduce trucks on Bango Road by 85-90 percent, resolving some resident concerns about traffic. Clark said the water will be used for dust control and general clean-up on Bango property.
Community members primary concern was that water containing harmful chemicals would seep into the area's well water and possibly into the Carson River and Truckee Canal.
“I oppose this permit,” said resident Veto Quilici. “I oppose anything that will allow treated chemical to be pumped onto the ground. We don't know what this will do. If the bureaucrats allow this they will be sorry in the future.”
Many attendees have been involved with previous odor complaints against Bango Oil and feel this will further damage their quality of life.
“I can see Bango Oil from my home, I can smell it, I don't want to bathe in it,” said resident Holly Bute.
Clark said these concerns are not based on evidence and NDEP Public Information Officer Jill Lufrano confirmed testing showed all chemicals were treated and harmless.
“The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection would never allow us to put water back into a source that would be so heavy it would contaminate their drinking water and the Carson River,” Clark said, adding comment about the chemicals. “It's another one of those unscientific allegations. If there were, the NDEP would never let us go forward.”
President Ernie Schank of the Truckee Canal Irrigation District said he trusts the state and county would not allow a permit that could effect their water systems.
“To my knowledge it's not going to affect any of our facilities,” Schank said.
Another concern attendees voiced was the request for a 14,000 gallon maximum discharge per day when the facility only needs to discharge 1,000 gallons for operations.
“This permit will write Bango Oil a blank check,” said resident Lorraine Griffin. “What is to stop them from bringing in oily water from outside sources?”
Clark said originally Bango Oil wanted to make the water available to the county for any use, so Bango applied for a larger amount of discharge, but the county rejected that offer. He said it would take too much time and money to amend the maximum and could possibly send Bango back to the beginning of the application process. Still, he said there are no plans to use that maximum.
“They said it (trucking in water for treatment) would be so tremendously expensive, it wouldn't be worth it,” Clark said.
Many residents also expressed fear of a lack of oversight if Bango receives the permit, pointing out the application states it is Bango's responsibility to provide some environmental information to the NDEP.
“You're expecting Bango Oil to tell you what they're doing,” said resident Dave German. “They're not doing what they're saying.”
Lufrano said the NDEP is going above and beyond because of complaints. She said the NDEP is requiring Bango to install a ground water meter to alert the NDEP of contamination, and she said NDEP will do at least two-three visits per year, and more the first year, along with at least one unannounced visit to collect samples.
“The NDEP's got us under a microscope,” Clark said. “If we do anything they have not permitted us to do, they are not going to be happy with us. If the NDEP sees us watering anything other than our property, the NDEP can come out and shut us down.”
Residents also suggested solutions. Some suggested continuing to truck water out, and others said they would feel better with strict oversight and regular environmental testing.
County Manager Brad Goetsch asked the NDEP to research why lined evaporation pools were not being used. Goetsch said lined pools were installed originally, and the county and Bango approved them, but the NDEP removed them.
Clark said that decision was made by the NDEP for fear the ponds were a source of the odors.
Chief John Palm of the Bureau of Water Pollution Control informed the audience their questions would be answered after the final decision was made. Attendees said they felt placated.
“We're sick of it,” said resident Richard Wideman. “We're tired of these meetings night after night ... It seems like this is just to appease these people — to have another meeting before saying yes.”
Others said they are taking their issues with Bango to large media outlets and the governor, who oversees the NDEP.
“They're not going to listen to us,” Quilici said. “These bureaucrats will do whatever they want.”
Lufrano said she understands people are concerned, and there is a lot of confusion about the process. But she said comments are taken into consideration and all questions are looked into prior to the decision even though answers are not distributed until after.
