Toxic Tours with Air Alliance Houstonairalliancehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/AAH-Toxic... ·  ·...

ToxicTourswithAirAllianceHoustonHow much do you know about the Houston ShipChannel?Whether you are a lifelong Houstonian or afirsttimevisitor,youmaynothavethoughtmuchaboutthe“EconomicEngine”ofHouston.Evenifyouareveryfamiliar with the Port of Houston, what do you knowaboutthepeopleandcommunitiesaroundit?Haveyoustood in the shadow of an oil refinery? Visited anenvironmental justice community? Experienced thetoxic sights, sounds,and smellsof thePetroMetro? Ifnot,it’stimeforyoutotakeatoxictour.AirAllianceHouston’stoxictoursareforamateursandprofessionalsalike.We’vebeenworkingforcleanairandahealthyfutureinHoustonformorethan25years.Ourtoxictoursofferauniqueperspectiveonthecitythatyouwon’tgetanywhereelse.OurExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelsonhasworkedcloselywithfencelinecommunitiesadvocatingforcleanairandenvironmentaljustice.Atoxictourwillopenyoureyestotherealitiesofourpetrochemicalindustryanditshumancosts.Toxictoursrangefromtwotofivehours,visitingsitesthatcaninclude:

• SomeofthelargestoilrefineriesintheUnitedStates.• Manchester,“Houston’smostpollutedneighborhood.”• GalenaPark,anenvironmentaljusticeor“fenceline”communityof11,000residents.• AirmonitoringstationsthatdeterminewhetherHoustonmeetsfederalairpollutionstandards.• Texashistorylandmarks,includingtheSanJacintoMonumentandtheSantaAnnaCaptureSite.• KinderMorganHoustonBulk,oneofthelargestpetroleumcokeexportfacilitiesontheGulfCoast.• Superfundtoxicwastesites,includingUSOilRecoveryandtheSanJacintoRiverWastePits.• Barbour’sCutandBayportShipChannel,twoturningbasinsformega-shipsdeliveringcargo.

Ourtoxictoursarereal,andraw.Youwillseeneighborhoodsthatyouhaveneverseen.Youwilldrivethroughindustrialfacilitieslargerthanyouthoughtpossible.Youmayevencomeawaywithaheadache.Butyouwillneverforgetwhatyousee.“TheToxicTourwasanincrediblyimpactfulexperienceforbothmeandmystudents.Itopenedoureyestostarkexamplesofpollutionhappeninginourowncity.Afterthetour,thestudentswereabletotalkaboutpollutionandtheirenvironmentinanentirelynewway.”–AnthonyM.,teacheratSt.Catherine’sMontessori.ContactusnowtobookaToxicTour!

ToxicTourRouteandStops

Thisisourstandard,three-hourtour.Otheroptionsareavailablebyrequest.GoogleMapthistour:http://bit.ly/2fPSJzN.

Start:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.1. ClintonDriveMonitor–9525½Clinton,Dr.,Houston,TX77029.2. GalenaParkSportsComplex/DredgeMaterialPlacementArea–1900NorthMainStreet,

GalenaPark,TX77547.3. SanJacintoMonument–MonumentCircle,LaPorte,TX77571.4. ShellDeerParkRefinery–1000TidalRoad,LaPorte,TX77571.5. SantaAnnaCaptureSite/PasadenaRefining–Pasadena,TX77506(restroombreak).6. USOilRecovery–400NRicheySt,Pasadena,TX77506.7. LyondellBasellHoustonRefining–12000LawndaleSt,Houston,TX77017.8. HartmanPark/ValeroHoustonRefinery–9311E.Ave.P,Houston,TX77012.9. Brady’sLanding–8505CypressSt,Houston,TX77012.10. DerichebourgRecycling-1WharfSt,Houston,TX77012.11. SouthernCrushConcrete/Cemex–600LockwoodDr,Houston,TX77011.End:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.

ToxicTourDestinations

GoogleMapthistour:http://bit.ly/2fPSJzN.Start:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.AirAllianceHouston is theHouston region’s cleanair andpublic healthnonprofitorganization.OurEaDoofficehouses5full-timeemployeesandacommunityorganizerwithPublicCitizen.1.ClintonDriveMonitor–9525½Clinton,Dr.,Houston,TX77029.ThisambientairmonitoringstationisownedandoperatedbytheCityofHouston. One of themost comprehensivemonitoring stations in the region, it samples for pollutantsincluding:ozone,particulatematter (PM10andPM2.5),SO2,NOx,CO,andvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs).AirAllianceHouston’sownparticulatemattermonitoringinGalenaParksuggeststhatcommunitymayexperienceelevatedPM2.5levelsandaheightenedcancerriskduetodieselpollution.

2. Galena Park Sports Complex/Dredge Material Placement Area – 1900NorthMainStreet,GalenaPark,TX77547.TheGalenaParkSportsComplexservesthe11,000+citizensofGalenaPark,TX. North of the Sports Complex is a Dredge Material Placement Area, adumpsiteformaterialdredgedfromthePortofHouston.Thisdredgematerialisoftentoxicandcanpresentasafetyhazard.

3.SanJacintoMonument–MonumentCircle,LaPorte,TX77571.Builtin1936tocelebratethecentennialofTexasIndependence,theSanJacintomonumentstandsat570feettall,anditispossibletotakeanelevatorridetothetop.Admissiontothemuseumisfree.Thisistheonlystoponourtourwithapublicrestroom.4.ShellDeerParkRefinery–1000TidalRoad,LaPorte,TX77571.Thisrefineryhasacapacityof316,600bbl/day,makingitthesecondlargestontheHoustonShipChannel.In2013,ShellsettledaCleanAirActlawsuitbroughtbytheSierraClubandEnvironmentTexasconcerningahistoryof illegalpollution.Shellpaida$2.6millionfineandagreedtospendat least$115milliononpollutioncontrolequipment.5.SantaAnnaCaptureSite/PasadenaRefining–Pasadena,TX77506.ThesiteofMexicanGeneralSantaAnna’scaptureonApril22,1836.NextdoortoPasadenaRefining,a99-year-oldrefinerywithacapacityof100,000bbl/day.Thistroubled refinery has been fined more than $1 million since 2011 and operatedwithoutafederalpermitforalmosttwoyears.AirAllianceHoustonfiledapetitionover this illegal operation and organized the Pasadena community for a publichearinginwhichdozensofresidentsspokeabouttheirconcernswiththisfacility.

6.USOilRecovery–400NRicheySt,Pasadena,TX77506.OneofthenewerSuperfundtoxicwastesitesinHouston,USOilRecoverypurportedtobeahazardouswastedisposalcompany.Infact, the company’s owner, Klaus Genssler, was improperlyhandlingandstoringtoxicwasteswithoutdisposingofthem.Aftercommunity members complained of odors to Harris County(whoseenvironmentalofficesarelessthanamileaway),thesitewas investigated. Genssler was indicted on six felony counts,whereuponhefledthecountry.Cleanuponthesitebeganin2016.

7.LyondellBasellHoustonRefining–12000LawndaleSt,Houston,TX77017.ThethirdlargestrefineryontheHoustonShipChannelwithacapacityof263,776bbl/day.Thisrefineryismore than 100 years old, although it was well maintained formuch of that time. Its current owner,LyondellBasell,hashadsomeproblemsthrough2016atseveralofits14Houston-areafacilities,includingastringofpoweroutagesatthisrefineryin2016.8.HartmanPark/ValeroHoustonRefinery–9311EastAvenueP,Houston,TX77012.Located in thecenterofManchester,“Houston’smostpollutedneighborhood,”andsurroundedby theValeroRefinery(100,000bbl/day),theHoustonShipChannel,thePortTerminalRailYard,I-610,ametalrecyclingfacility,achemicalplant,andafertilizerplant.AirmonitoringshowssevencarcinogensintheairinManchester.9.Brady’sLanding–8505CypressSt,Houston,TX77012.Apopularrestaurantsince1984,Brady’slandingislocatedontheHoustonShipChannel.Seafoodlunchbuffets are a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. Several private group dining rooms offerexcellentviewsoftheHoustonShipChannel,asdoesadecknexttotherestaurant.10.DerichebourgRecycling-1WharfSt,Houston,TX77012.DerichebourgRecyclingisascrapmetalrecyclingfacilityinHouston’seastend.ThefacilitywasthesubjectofanagreementwiththeCityofHoustontoreduceairpollution.AfterafireonNov.1,2014,AirAllianceHoustonlearnedthattheagreementallowedthecompanytohaveseveralfiresayear.Today,AirAllianceHouston is part of an NIH grant to study the scrapmetal recycling industry that includes the City ofHouston,UTHealth,andRiceUniversity.

11. Southern Crushed Concrete/Cemex – 600 Lockwood Dr,Houston,TX77011.Theconcretebatchplant industryhascomeunderscrutiny inHoustonrecently,inpartduetoouradvocacyefforts.SouthernCrushed Concretewon a lawsuit against the City of Houstonthatinvalidatedacityordinanceregulatingthatindustry.Nowweareseekinglegislativechangeatthestatelevel.

End:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.AirAllianceHoustonreliesondonationstodoourworkcleaningupHouston’sair.Ourtoxictourshavealwaysbeen—andalwayswillbe—free.YourfinancialsupporthelpsustocontinueourworkimprovingairqualityandqualityoflifeinHouston.WeencourageyoutoconsideradonationtoAirAllianceHouston.Thankyou.

ToxicTourOptionsandAdd-onsWeprovideavarietyoftouroptionsandadd-onssothatyoucancustomizeyourtourexperience.Ourstandard,three-hourtourbeginsattheAirAllianceHoustonofficesat9:00AMonSaturdayandincludesa light breakfast. It offers eleven points of interest and four stops, with a heavy focus on Houston’spetrochemicalindustry.Wearehighlyflexible,andwewillworkwithyoutoplanatourthatisrightforyouandyourgroup.PleasecoordinatewithourExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelson.TourGroupSizes1-3People:OursmallesttoursareledbyourExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelson.14People:Heldinarented15-passengervan,thistourforupto14peoplefeaturesadriverfromAAHandBakeyahastourguide.27People:Thistourtakesplaceinarentedmini-buswithanon-boardrestroom.Bakeyahservesastourguidewhileadrivernavigates.DiningOptionsBreakfast:Wesupportlocalbusinesses,andourtoursfeaturebreakfasttacosfromBrothersTacoHouse,aninstitutioninHouston’sEastEnd.Weprovide1-2tacosperpersonandcoffee.Lunch:Brady’sLandingoffersadeliciousseafoodlunchbuffet.Privatediningroomsarealsoavailableforrentalforapresentationormeetingbeforeorafterthetour.AAHofferspresentationsonavarietyofsubjects.Oryoucanplanyourownmeetingorpresentation.AlternateRoute:Baytown&thePortofHoustonThisalternativetourrouteoffersdifferentpointsofinterest,includingthelargestsinglemanufacturingcomplexinthenationandmorestopsinthePortofHouston.Toincludethisroute,youmusteitherplanforalongertourorworkwithBakeyahtoremoveotherpointsofinterest.Thisrouteincludes:

• ExxonMobilBaytown–3465MarketStreet,Baytown,TX77520.Thesecond-largestrefineryinthenation,withacapacityof560,500bbl/day.

• Morgan’sPointCemetery–GeorgeAltvaterBlvd,LaPorte,TX77571.LocatedwithintheBarbour’scutturningbasinandPortofHoustoncontainerterminal.

• Barbour’sCut/BallesterFishingArea–Ballester,LaPorte,TX77571.AniceviewoftheBarbour’sCutturningbasin,wherelargercargovesselscanmaneuverwithintheHoustonShipChannel.

• HoustonYachtClub-3620MiramarDr,LaPorte,TX77571.LocatedinShoreacresandadjacenttotheBayportturningbasin.

• Bayport-3803SunriseDr.,LaPorte,TX77571.Thesecondoftwoturningbasins.• Bayport Cruise Terminal - 4700 Cruise St, Pasadena, TX 77586. This $160 million cruise ship

terminalwasatotalfailure.Recentlyrepurposedforautoimports.

WaiverandRelease

I,_______________________________,agreetothisreleaseofallclaims,waiverofliabilityandassumptionofrisk(“WaiverandRelease”).IwaiveanyandallclaimsImayhavenowandinthefuture,andreleasefromallliabilityandagreenottosueAirAllianceHouston,itsofficers,agents,representatives,employees,hireddrivers,ortourguides[hereafterreferredtoas“Staff”]foranypersonalinjury,death,propertydamage,orlosssustainedbymeasaresultofmyparticipationinatourorexperienceofferedbyAirAllianceHoustonduetoanycausewhatsoever,includingwithoutlimitation,negligenceonthepartofAirAllianceHouston, itsStaff,tourpartners,orotherparticipants. IfurtheragreethatifIviolatethisagreementandattempttobringsuitagainstanypartofpartiesnamedherein,thatIwillbeheldresponsibleforattorney’sfeesandanycostsincurredbythatpersonindefendingsuchaction.I amaware that the tours andeventsoffered, in addition to theusualdangers and risks inherent, have certainadditionaldangersandrisks,someofwhichinclude:

• PhysicalexertionforwhichImaynotbepreparedandweatherextremessubjecttosuddenandunexpectedchange.

• Exposuretotoxicanddangerousairpollutantsthatmayhaveimmediateorlongtermhealtheffects.• Delaysorchangestothetourscheduleduetoroadclosures,accidents,ortrainsblockingroads.• Interactionswithcompanyofficials,privatesecurityforces,and/orlawenforcementofficers.

Iacceptalltheinherentrisksoftheproposedtourandthepossibilityofpersonalinjury,death,orpropertydamageorlossresultingtherefrom.Further,Iagreeatalltimesduringthetour,toabidebyandcomplywithanyadditionalinstructionsgivenbymytourguideoranyotherStaffandIacceptthatnon-compliancemayresultininjury,death,orpermanentdisability.Iunderstandthatnon-compliancemayresultinmyremovalfromthetour.InenteringthisWaiverandRelease,Iamnotrelyingonanyoral,writtennorvisualrepresentationsorstatementsbyAirAllianceHoustonoritsStafforanyotherinducementorcoerciontogoonthetour.Iconfirmthat,bymyownfreewill,IhavereadandunderstoodthisWavierandReleaseandagreethatthisWaiverandReleasewillbebindinguponmyheirs,nextofkin,executors,administrators,andsuccessors.IagreetoholdneitherAirAllianceHoustonnoritsStafforfacilityliableinanywayshouldanyharmcometome.Iagreetograntthesponsorsofthistouroreventtoaworldwide,royalty-freelicensetousemyphotographic,video,ordigitallikenessforpromotional,educational,and/orcommercialpurposes.Bysigningthiswaiver,IaffirmthatIhavefullyunderstoodandagreetotheseTermsandConditions,WaiverandReleaseofLiability._________________________________________________________ ____________________________Signature Date_______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________PrintedName Phone _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________Address Email____________________________________ ___ _________________City ST ZIP