Project Name: Brownfields Investigation Project 
Basin: R
Sub-watershed Description: The Tex-Mex rail yard site (project location) is
located in the Rio Grande watershed at 27* 30' 01"N by 99* 29' 33"W adjacent and
east of the Rio Grande-Zacate Creek confluence.

Lead Entity: City of Laredo Planning Department
Other Participants: City of Laredo Environmental Engineering Division
Funding Source: EPA Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative
Amount of Funding: $200,000.00
Project Start Year: 1996
Project Finish Year: 1998

Contact: Keith Selman, A.I.C.P.
         Director of Planning
         1110 Houston St.
         Laredo, Tx.  78042
         tel: (956) 791-7441
         fax: (956) 791-7457

Abstract:   The main objectives of this project are to research the former
Tex-Mex rail yard and provide an evaluation of any contamination or perceived
contamination at the site under the EPA Brownfields Economic Redevelopment
Initiative.  The Brownf ields Initiative is designed to help entities work
together to prevent, assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse brownfield
classified sites.  These include abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and
commercial facilities where expansion or rede velopment is complicated by real
or perceived environmental contamination.

The facility was divided into two primary operations.  Most of the yard was
utilized as a 19 track switching facility, where incoming and outgoing railcars
were switched between trains.  The remainder of the facility was dedicated to
loading and unlo ading.  According to the Texas Water Commission investigation
report dated May 10, 1988, hazardous/toxic materials were transported through
the facility, however, hazardous wastes were not.  For the most part, the
materials (freight) shipped through this facility remained sealed.  Solvents
and/or chemicals were not used, with the exception of oil used to lubricate
journal bearings on the railcars.  For the last 100 years, the main freight
transported by the railway was coal and other mining prod ucts.  The Tex-Mex
Railroad is building another main rail yard and the project site may go
completely idle.  In that case, the property may be purchased to carry out
conversion to a park or similar community center.

Progress to Date: The investigation is underway.  The Environmental Engineering
Division is developing the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and designing
the Sampling Plan.

Category : A