RPMUD February Update

Although this e-mail was sent out in February, I thought it contained a lot of important questions to consider that may help start a discussion here on this forum. Please read and respond to the questions that are most important to you.

ARW

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First of all, we want to make it perfectly clear that we had no knowledge of a possible plant location on the land next to us when we purchased our property. If you will call the RPMUD office, they will verify this. This is not only about us. It affects everyone living in River Plantation, Mosswood and everyone who is a member of River Plantation Country Club.

Great turnout at the RPMUD board meeting on 1/25, over 80 people attended. Next meeting will be Thursday, February 28, at 4 p.m.

A presentation was given by MUD's consulting engineer - Bleyl & Associates. (I have requested a copy, so we can more fully investigate the numbers.) The gist of the presentation was that we need this plant for water for fire protection. One of the slides showed high usage in the summer.

There was not much of a presentation showing how this plant would be disguised.

The public comments included concern about a chlorine gas leak, the effect this plant would have on property values, and the need for another location. People were very vocal about the effect the location of this plant would have on RP, and how it would affect property values and hamper real estate sales. One resident suggested that RPMUD exchange water for sewer services to EPUD during the high usage (summer) months. Seemed like an easy and cheap solution to this problem.

During our discussions with RPMUD, we have heard that this new plant is needed if (1) well #2 goes out; (2) if the plant at well #2 fails; (3) if a hurricane destroys plant #2; and now (4) for water for fire protection.

We would like to remind everyone, we have not had any new development in RPMUD. We may have the same number of homes that we had in 1994, taking into account the ones that were removed after the flood and any new ones built since then. EPUD has 1,000,000 gallons of storage (two 500,000-gallon tanks at two plants). RPMUD has a 500,000-gallon and a 70,000-gallon tank. If anything happens to plant #2, there already is a tie-in to EPUD, so repairs can be made.

The RPMUD board made a motion to continue to get prices for the components for the proposed plant, and would look at any other sites we could find. Many people stayed until the meeting was adjourned.

Questions to Consider

If this plant is so important to the residents of River Plantation and Mosswood, why haven't we received a notice about this?

Where is the proof that this plant is needed for fire protection?

Why would RPMUD consider this site at the the front of River Plantation for a plant that will look like the facility in back across from the C-Store?

Have they looked at other locations for this plant? In any event, if you know of a site around 0.4 - 0.5 acre in the area, please bring it to their attention and present it at the next board meeting.

How much has this project cost to date? If the residents had been notified when RPMUD first decided to do this project, wouldn't the public outcry have placed this on hold until all questions were answered?

Here is the phone number of the MUD office:

RPMUD - 936/273-4641

If you would like to call the TCEQ and complain, Heidi Graham approved the permit. Her telephone number is 512/239-0844. Vera Poe is her supervisor and can be reached at 512/239-6988.

We are continuing to add e-mail addresses for these updates. Our list includes the members of RPCC, RPLGA, people we have contacted and now those that are contacting us. We are sure that there are people who still do not know about this.