In addition to water pollution, the mine destroys the land, threatens wildlife, and causes air, light, and sound pollution to the City of Eagle Pass.
Even a petition specifically asking TCEQ to deny the wastewater discharge permit was created, but despite the thousands of signatures on the document, the requests of many were denied.
Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantú, who was unable to attend, expressed his concern on the issue in a previous interview.
“When you see such a crowd appear in Austin to ask for assistance and that crowd is pretty much taken by the wayside, it is discouraging, but it should not discourage us to stop doing what we’re doing,” said English Cantú. “This has been a long fight, we need to continue it to the end.”
Native groups are very active in the protest of the expansion of the mines that could destroy some of the oldest settlements areas in the Americas and is ancestral territory to many, but everyone should be concerned, said English Cantú.
“This is not something that is just them, this is a community issue. When the mine is looking to expand what is our Eagle Extra Territorial Jurisdiction, we have a greater concern because it is even closer than what it is at the moment,” said English Cantú. “These are issues that we are facing alongside with a number of citizens and along with other entities such as the County of Maverick and the MCHD.”
City Councilwoman Gloria Hernandez was present at the demonstration, representing Mayor Cantu and the City of Eagle Pass.
"To add insult to injury this coal will be mined for Mexico, not for the United States. No one is listening to the small town of Eagle Pass where more than 7,000 residents have signed a petition to not allow this mine,” said Hernandez.
Senior Organizing Manager for the environmental group Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign was disappointed by TCEQ’s decision.
“It is extremely sad to witness the TCEQ rubber stamping this permit that basically makes it impossible for the people of Eagle Pass and Maverick County to preserve and protect their water,” said Ward. “The TCEQ permitting process exists to protect these people from pollution, not put them at risk of exposure to toxic coal runoff.”