Harvey has flooded one of the most heavily industrialized places on earth #HurricaneHarvey #HelpForHouston

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From: "Bryan Parras, Dirty Fuels Organizer" <reply@emails.sierraclub.org>
Date: Aug 29, 2017 6:53 PM
Subject: Harvey has flooded one of the most heavily industrialized places on earth

Learn how you can help impacted communities in Texas.

Harvey has devastated Texas and Louisiana with historic rainfall -- impacting millions of people -- in an area with more heavy industry than almost anywhere else in the country. Congress must make sure disaster relief includes funding to address toxic releases, superfund sites, and a just recovery for frontline communities. Photo by Bryan Parras Dear Reader, My name is Bryan Parras -- I'm a founding member of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS) and a Dirty Fuels Organizer for the Sierra Club. I'm a long time organizer and resident of Houston, Texas and the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast region is my home, and as I'm sure you've heard my hometown has just been struck by catastrophic flooding. This is the third "500-year" flood event to impact Houston in the last three years, but this is the worst disaster Texas has ever seen.1  In the next couple of weeks Congress will vote to approve funding to help Houston recover. Tell your member of Congress we need a comprehensive relief package that is equitable and just for all Texas residents. A comprehensive relief package must include: Funding to clean up toxic sites,  Ensure the right to return for communities at risk of displacement,  Resources to be distributed to everyone who is impacted -- not just citizens, and  A focus on sustainable and locally-led development. The Gulf Coast region is one of the most heavily industrialized areas in the country. For many years I've been monitoring heavy industry like oil refineries, toxic waste disposal tanks, injection wells, and chemical plants. Some estimates place more than 10,000 potentially hazardous sites in the impact zone of Harvey. Already people are reporting toxic smells, headaches and nausea across Houston -- I myself have experienced these symptoms. Pipelines are leaking, and already one gas spill has been reported.2 When Congress meets to discuss a disaster relief bill, we can't let them forget the toxic toll this heavy industry will have as part of our recovery. They must make sure they authorize funding to address the particular toxic hazards faced by communities in the path of the flooding. Please, take a moment to send a message to your representative now. Thank you,  Bryan Parras, Dirty Fuels Organizer Sierra Club Share this alert on Facebook Share this alert on Twitter [1] The Washington Post, Houston is Experiencing its Third 500-year Flood in Three Years -- How is that Possible? [2] Houston Public Media, Texas Regulators Report Gas Spill Due to Harvey.

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