Welcome to IOBCWA
The Ingleside on the Bay Coastal Watch Association (IOBCWA) is a Texas non-profit organization that was formed to mitigate negative effects of rapid industrialization, larger and more frequent ship traffic, and rising sea levels in Ingleside on the Bay and surrounding communities of the Coastal Bend.
Come JOIN US (it's free), GET INVOLVED, check out our CALLS TO ACTION page, or DONATE BELOW to help protect the land, air, and water we love so much here in the Coastal Bend!
Come JOIN US (it's free), GET INVOLVED, check out our CALLS TO ACTION page, or DONATE BELOW to help protect the land, air, and water we love so much here in the Coastal Bend!
STAY INFORMED, TAKE ACTION, and RAISE YOUR VOICE!
City of Corpus Christi Inner Harbor Desalination Water Discharge TCEQ Permit WQ0005289000 (Wastewater)
The Public Meeting is to be held: Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM
American Bank Convention Center (Henry Garrett Ballroom B and C) 1901 N. Shoreline Boulevard Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
Click photo for more information!
The Public Meeting is to be held: Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM
American Bank Convention Center (Henry Garrett Ballroom B and C) 1901 N. Shoreline Boulevard Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
Click photo for more information!
INGLESIDE CITY COUNCIL STOPS PROPOSED AMMONIA PLANT AFTER MONTHS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
The Ingleside City Council voted unanimously to deny Canadian behemoth Enbridge and Norwegian based Yara (Ingleside Clean Ammonia Partners, LLC) an “Objectionable Use Permit” on Jan. 16 after a five hour public hearing in which more than 100 people attended. The permit would have allowed the construction of an ammonia facility that would have been located less than two miles of an Ingleside primary school and the entire city of Ingleside on the Bay.
The Coastal Action Network’s (CAN) Ingleside on the Bay Coastal Watch Association (IOBCWA), along with Texas Campaign for the Environment and Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend braved frigid temperatures and marched alongside concerned residents in the hours leading up to the City Council meeting, carrying signs warning of the dangers of ammonia. More than 40 people offered comments, the vast majority in opposition. Many Ingleside residents spoke of their children, fearing that the daily exposure to the dangerous chemicals that would be emitted from such a plant would cause asthma and damage young lungs. Allies of the Karankawa emotionally testified about protecting the McGloin's Bluff archeological site, a sacred burial ground. Others spoke of the very real fear of a deadly ammonia accident, warning the council that it wasn’t a matter of “if,” but “when” such a disaster would happen. Before the vote, Ingleside City Council member Steve Diehl asked each Enbridge employee in the room where they were from and not one of them was from Ingleside, illustrating the job creation myth that is so often used to justify these harmful permits. On a motion by Diehl, the vote to deny the Objectionable Use Permit was unanimous. "Ingleside on the Bay Coastal Watch Association, and the citizens of Ingleside and Ingleside on the Bay gave a loud cheer last night when the Council voted unanimously to deny the Objectionable Use Permit to Ingleside Clean Ammonia Partners. I was very proud that our effort to research and document the issues as well as rallying the community voices paid off last night. It is motivating us to keep this momentum going," said IOBCWA Treasurer Charlie Boone. |
This victory was the result of a months-long campaign to stop the ammonia facility in San Patricio County. IOBCWA President Patrick Nye spoke to numerous city councils in San Patricio County, as well as the Commissioners’ Court last year. IOBCWA also paid for billboards and newspaper ads in the local newspapers. Coastal Action Network (CAN) groups showed up in force to Enbridge’s “Open House” in October, and CAN sponsored a San Patricio Town Hall where the dangers of the proposed ammonia facility were presented to more than 80 attendees in December. CAN also waged a direct mail campaign, warning residents of the threat to their community. These efforts prove that when people unite, they can fight for and win battles against multi-billion dollar international corporations who want to use the Coastal Bend as a sacrifice zone. It’s a fight CAN will continue to battle against polluters and their allies.
Visit our CALLS-TO-ACTION page often to learn how to help fight these extremely dangerous polluting Ammonia plants currently trying to locate near our Coastal Bend neighborhoods.
It's no secret that there is a lot of industrial activity going on in the Coastal Bend with so much more coming. Did you know the closest air monitor the TCEQ has regulating air quality for us is in Port Aransas? This air monitor is utilized for Ingleside on the Bay, Ingleside and Aransas Pass. That's right, it's all the way across the Bay from us. Very scary!
So PLEASE when you Hear, See, or Smell Something report it! |
Preserving our Paradise
The increasing volume and size of ship traffic and build out of surrounding industries threatens to degrade the quality of life in our Coastal Bend communities. IOBCWA members include educators, engineers, business owners, elected officials, and others who aim to increase the positive and decrease the negative impacts of the changes underway and yet to come.
Donate
Current Fundraiser.In loving memory of our friend and founding IOBCWA member, Jennifer Hilliard, who was truly compassionate about protecting our land, water, air, and way of life in the Coastal Bend.
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