Texas environmental agency fines Waco-area wood recycler
By Bill Teeter Tribune-Herald staff writer
A McLennan County wood recycling business has been assessed a $38,216 penalty for violating environmental regulations but will pay only $573 of the fine because of a bankruptcy.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved the penalty against Waco Wood Recycling last week, commission spokeswoman Andrea Morrow said.
The company was in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization that was completed in October. Morrow said that under the reorganization plan, the state will receive 1.5 percent of the penalty, or $573.
The business, which produces mulch from waste wood, remains in operation at 268 Antler Road, near the intersection of McLaughlin Road and Loop 340.
The environmental commission already had proposed the penalty as the bankruptcy proceedings were under way.
The original bankruptcy filing lists the top 20 unsecured creditors, with debts ranging from $5,000 to Skinner Nurseries to $1.7 million from Texas First State Bank.
The company is owned by businessman Larry Cathey.
Cathey said he earlier had appealed the assertions against his company and that he found the decision unfair. He said most of the charges were problems with the state’s record-keeping and not his fault.
According to violations reported by the commission, Waco Wood Recycling did not maintain a required setback of 50 feet from property lines to the edge of an area where processed material was stored.
Also, according to the reported violations, the company did not have required fire safety plans.
Companies that store fire-prone materials, such as wood, also must have money available at all times to cover the cost of closing the facility, and the company did not, the records state.
Records detailing recycling and disposal activities were not properly maintained, the commission documents state.
The problems were discovered during a routine inspection in 2007.
bteeter@wacotrib.com
757-5734
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Texas Tree and Landscape has operated for a long time while thumbing their nose at the Law. He has continually stolen money from TxDot, broken federal laws by altering vehicle speedometers, and knowingly and continuously broke immigration laws by not only employing illegal aliens, but offering them advice on where to get their "papers". He is as crooked as the day is long.
Texas Tree and Landscape has operated for a long time while thumbing their nose at the Law. He has continually stolen money from TxDot, broken federal laws by altering vehicle speedometers, and knowingly and continuously broke immigration laws by not only employing illegal aliens, but offering them advice on where to get their "papers". He is as crooked as the day is long.
Cathey is very shady and owns Texas Tree and Landscape, so he does have the money, get it from that side of his business???? Great job TCEQ, keep the heat on...
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Waco Today features this month
- 12 Waco-area teachers who rock!
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