Community News
UPDATE: Doty Sandpit - Ongoing Notes & Updates
Posted on May 20th, 2026
Several weeks ago, we reported a pending permitting application for business/commercial development of the Doty Sandpit / Landfill (read original announcement here).
As a result of public response, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) held a public hearing on May 18th, granting opportunity to community members to express their concerns and pose questions regarding the development and its environmental impact to Keegans and Brays Bayou watershed and surrounding communities.
Meeting Summary & Results:
(Received from Houston One Voice)
"Thank you sincerely for your extraordinary support, attendance, public comments, and steadfast engagement, both in person and electronically, regarding the proposed development and wastewater study permit associated with the Doty Landfill property.
Yesterday's TCEQ public meeting represented an important and meaningful showing of community participation and concern. The strong turnout demonstrated that residents and community members across southwest Houston are paying close attention to the long-term environmental, flooding, groundwater, and public health implications associated with disturbing and developing a closed landfill site within a flood-prone watershed.
The meeting also brought broader awareness to the scope of the developer's intentions for the Doty Landfill property and reinforced ongoing concerns surrounding potential wastewater contamination, landfill disturbance, chemical pollutants, methane migration, subsidence, and long-term environmental liability affecting the Keegans and Brays Bayou watersheds and surrounding communities.
Following the hearing, our attorney, Amy Dinn, shared how impressed she was with both the number of participants and the overall quality of the public comments presented. Representing clients before the TCEQ has been a major part of her professional work for many years, and she stated this was among the strongest and most effective community hearings she
has witnessed.
At the same time, yesterday's meeting also made clear that the process ahead may be more complex than many initially understood. It is evident that there are institutional, political, development, and regulatory interests surrounding the future of the Doty site that will require continued public engagement, careful attention, and sustained community participation moving forward.
For that reason, our work is far from over.
The concerns associated with disturbing and building upon a closed landfill, particularly one connected to sensitive watersheds and groundwater systems, remain significant and unresolved. Houston One Voice remains committed to advocating for environmental transparency, public safety, groundwater protection, responsible flood mitigation, and long-term accountability throughout this process.
Most importantly, yesterday demonstrated that informed and respectful civic participation still matters. The community showed up, spoke thoughtfully, and made its concerns part of the public record.
Thank you again for your time, participation, and continued commitment to protecting the health, safety, and long-term future of southwest
Houston."
WHY THE DOTY LANDFILL DEVELOPMENT IMPORTANT TO BVWCA?
Doty Landfill on Bissonnet, closed in 2000 and capped to contain toxic gases and contaminated water, poses serious risks if disturbed—any development could release methane and pollution into nearby neighborhoods and waterways.
Residents have already witnessed these dangers, including a two-year underground methane fire, and runoff threatens Keegans and Brays Bayous - which affects flooding mitigation opportunities and our water supply in Braeburn Valley West.
The Alief and Gulfton communities have repeatedly mobilized to stop unsafe development, and urgent public involvement is needed now to protect community health and push for safer solutions like flood mitigation.
Residents have already witnessed these dangers, including a two-year underground methane fire, and runoff threatens Keegans and Brays Bayous - which affects flooding mitigation opportunities and our water supply in Braeburn Valley West.
The Alief and Gulfton communities have repeatedly mobilized to stop unsafe development, and urgent public involvement is needed now to protect community health and push for safer solutions like flood mitigation.
TCEQ Meeting Summary:
ORIGINAL website news:
Simplified Meeting Flyer (english only):
FORMAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CITY:
English Version: (click here)
En Espanol: (haga clic aquí)
