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Toxic Tours with Air Alliance Houston How much do you know about the Houston Ship Channel? Whether you are a lifelong Houstonian or a first time visitor, you may not have thought much about the “Economic Engine” of Houston. Even if you are very familiar with the Port of Houston, what do you know about the people and communities around it? Have you stood in the shadow of an oil refinery? Visited an environmental justice community? Experienced the toxic sights, sounds, and smells of the Petro Metro? If not, it’s time for you to take a toxic tour. Air Alliance Houston’s toxic tours are for amateurs and professionals alike. We’ve been working for clean air and a healthy future in Houston for more than 25 years. Our toxic tours offer a unique perspective on the city that you won’t get anywhere else. Our Executive Director Bakeyah Nelson has worked closely with fenceline communities advocating for clean air and environmental justice. A toxic tour will open your eyes to the realities of our petrochemical industry and its human costs. Toxic tours range from two to five hours, visiting sites that can include: Some of the largest oil refineries in the United States. Manchester, “Houston’s most polluted neighborhood.” Galena Park, an environmental justice or “fenceline” community of 11,000 residents. Air monitoring stations that determine whether Houston meets federal air pollution standards. Texas history landmarks, including the San Jacinto Monument and the Santa Anna Capture Site. Kinder Morgan Houston Bulk, one of the largest petroleum coke export facilities on the Gulf Coast. Superfund toxic waste sites, including US Oil Recovery and the San Jacinto River Waste Pits. Barbour’s Cut and Bayport Ship Channel, two turning basins for mega-ships delivering cargo. Our toxic tours are real, and raw. You will see neighborhoods that you have never seen. You will drive through industrial facilities larger than you thought possible. You may even come away with a headache. But you will never forget what you see. “The Toxic Tour was an incredibly impactful experience for both me and my students. It opened our eyes to stark examples of pollution happening in our own city. After the tour, the students were able to talk about pollution and their environment in an entirely new way.” –Anthony M., teacher at St. Catherine’s Montessori. Contact us now to book a Toxic Tour!

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Page 1: Toxic Tours with Air Alliance Houstonairalliancehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/AAH-Toxic... ·  · 2017-06-01Toxic Tours with Air Alliance Houston ... may experience elevated PM2.5

ToxicTourswithAirAllianceHoustonHow much do you know about the Houston ShipChannel?Whether you are a lifelong Houstonian or afirsttimevisitor,youmaynothavethoughtmuchaboutthe“EconomicEngine”ofHouston.Evenifyouareveryfamiliar with the Port of Houston, what do you knowaboutthepeopleandcommunitiesaroundit?Haveyoustood in the shadow of an oil refinery? Visited anenvironmental justice community? Experienced thetoxic sights, sounds,and smellsof thePetroMetro? Ifnot,it’stimeforyoutotakeatoxictour.AirAllianceHouston’stoxictoursareforamateursandprofessionalsalike.We’vebeenworkingforcleanairandahealthyfutureinHoustonformorethan25years.Ourtoxictoursofferauniqueperspectiveonthecitythatyouwon’tgetanywhereelse.OurExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelsonhasworkedcloselywithfencelinecommunitiesadvocatingforcleanairandenvironmentaljustice.Atoxictourwillopenyoureyestotherealitiesofourpetrochemicalindustryanditshumancosts.Toxictoursrangefromtwotofivehours,visitingsitesthatcaninclude:

• SomeofthelargestoilrefineriesintheUnitedStates.• Manchester,“Houston’smostpollutedneighborhood.”• GalenaPark,anenvironmentaljusticeor“fenceline”communityof11,000residents.• AirmonitoringstationsthatdeterminewhetherHoustonmeetsfederalairpollutionstandards.• Texashistorylandmarks,includingtheSanJacintoMonumentandtheSantaAnnaCaptureSite.• KinderMorganHoustonBulk,oneofthelargestpetroleumcokeexportfacilitiesontheGulfCoast.• Superfundtoxicwastesites,includingUSOilRecoveryandtheSanJacintoRiverWastePits.• Barbour’sCutandBayportShipChannel,twoturningbasinsformega-shipsdeliveringcargo.

Ourtoxictoursarereal,andraw.Youwillseeneighborhoodsthatyouhaveneverseen.Youwilldrivethroughindustrialfacilitieslargerthanyouthoughtpossible.Youmayevencomeawaywithaheadache.Butyouwillneverforgetwhatyousee.“TheToxicTourwasanincrediblyimpactfulexperienceforbothmeandmystudents.Itopenedoureyestostarkexamplesofpollutionhappeninginourowncity.Afterthetour,thestudentswereabletotalkaboutpollutionandtheirenvironmentinanentirelynewway.”–AnthonyM.,teacheratSt.Catherine’sMontessori.ContactusnowtobookaToxicTour!

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ToxicTourRouteandStops

Thisisourstandard,three-hourtour.Otheroptionsareavailablebyrequest.GoogleMapthistour:http://bit.ly/2fPSJzN.

Start:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.1. ClintonDriveMonitor–9525½Clinton,Dr.,Houston,TX77029.2. GalenaParkSportsComplex/DredgeMaterialPlacementArea–1900NorthMainStreet,

GalenaPark,TX77547.3. SanJacintoMonument–MonumentCircle,LaPorte,TX77571.4. ShellDeerParkRefinery–1000TidalRoad,LaPorte,TX77571.5. SantaAnnaCaptureSite/PasadenaRefining–Pasadena,TX77506(restroombreak).6. USOilRecovery–400NRicheySt,Pasadena,TX77506.7. LyondellBasellHoustonRefining–12000LawndaleSt,Houston,TX77017.8. HartmanPark/ValeroHoustonRefinery–9311E.Ave.P,Houston,TX77012.9. Brady’sLanding–8505CypressSt,Houston,TX77012.10. DerichebourgRecycling-1WharfSt,Houston,TX77012.11. SouthernCrushConcrete/Cemex–600LockwoodDr,Houston,TX77011.End:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.

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ToxicTourDestinations

GoogleMapthistour:http://bit.ly/2fPSJzN.Start:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.AirAllianceHouston is theHouston region’s cleanair andpublic healthnonprofitorganization.OurEaDoofficehouses5full-timeemployeesandacommunityorganizerwithPublicCitizen.1.ClintonDriveMonitor–9525½Clinton,Dr.,Houston,TX77029.ThisambientairmonitoringstationisownedandoperatedbytheCityofHouston. One of themost comprehensivemonitoring stations in the region, it samples for pollutantsincluding:ozone,particulatematter (PM10andPM2.5),SO2,NOx,CO,andvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs).AirAllianceHouston’sownparticulatemattermonitoringinGalenaParksuggeststhatcommunitymayexperienceelevatedPM2.5levelsandaheightenedcancerriskduetodieselpollution.

2. Galena Park Sports Complex/Dredge Material Placement Area – 1900NorthMainStreet,GalenaPark,TX77547.TheGalenaParkSportsComplexservesthe11,000+citizensofGalenaPark,TX. North of the Sports Complex is a Dredge Material Placement Area, adumpsiteformaterialdredgedfromthePortofHouston.Thisdredgematerialisoftentoxicandcanpresentasafetyhazard.

3.SanJacintoMonument–MonumentCircle,LaPorte,TX77571.Builtin1936tocelebratethecentennialofTexasIndependence,theSanJacintomonumentstandsat570feettall,anditispossibletotakeanelevatorridetothetop.Admissiontothemuseumisfree.Thisistheonlystoponourtourwithapublicrestroom.4.ShellDeerParkRefinery–1000TidalRoad,LaPorte,TX77571.Thisrefineryhasacapacityof316,600bbl/day,makingitthesecondlargestontheHoustonShipChannel.In2013,ShellsettledaCleanAirActlawsuitbroughtbytheSierraClubandEnvironmentTexasconcerningahistoryof illegalpollution.Shellpaida$2.6millionfineandagreedtospendat least$115milliononpollutioncontrolequipment.5.SantaAnnaCaptureSite/PasadenaRefining–Pasadena,TX77506.ThesiteofMexicanGeneralSantaAnna’scaptureonApril22,1836.NextdoortoPasadenaRefining,a99-year-oldrefinerywithacapacityof100,000bbl/day.Thistroubled refinery has been fined more than $1 million since 2011 and operatedwithoutafederalpermitforalmosttwoyears.AirAllianceHoustonfiledapetitionover this illegal operation and organized the Pasadena community for a publichearinginwhichdozensofresidentsspokeabouttheirconcernswiththisfacility.

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6.USOilRecovery–400NRicheySt,Pasadena,TX77506.OneofthenewerSuperfundtoxicwastesitesinHouston,USOilRecoverypurportedtobeahazardouswastedisposalcompany.Infact, the company’s owner, Klaus Genssler, was improperlyhandlingandstoringtoxicwasteswithoutdisposingofthem.Aftercommunity members complained of odors to Harris County(whoseenvironmentalofficesarelessthanamileaway),thesitewas investigated. Genssler was indicted on six felony counts,whereuponhefledthecountry.Cleanuponthesitebeganin2016.

7.LyondellBasellHoustonRefining–12000LawndaleSt,Houston,TX77017.ThethirdlargestrefineryontheHoustonShipChannelwithacapacityof263,776bbl/day.Thisrefineryismore than 100 years old, although it was well maintained formuch of that time. Its current owner,LyondellBasell,hashadsomeproblemsthrough2016atseveralofits14Houston-areafacilities,includingastringofpoweroutagesatthisrefineryin2016.8.HartmanPark/ValeroHoustonRefinery–9311EastAvenueP,Houston,TX77012.Located in thecenterofManchester,“Houston’smostpollutedneighborhood,”andsurroundedby theValeroRefinery(100,000bbl/day),theHoustonShipChannel,thePortTerminalRailYard,I-610,ametalrecyclingfacility,achemicalplant,andafertilizerplant.AirmonitoringshowssevencarcinogensintheairinManchester.9.Brady’sLanding–8505CypressSt,Houston,TX77012.Apopularrestaurantsince1984,Brady’slandingislocatedontheHoustonShipChannel.Seafoodlunchbuffets are a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. Several private group dining rooms offerexcellentviewsoftheHoustonShipChannel,asdoesadecknexttotherestaurant.10.DerichebourgRecycling-1WharfSt,Houston,TX77012.DerichebourgRecyclingisascrapmetalrecyclingfacilityinHouston’seastend.ThefacilitywasthesubjectofanagreementwiththeCityofHoustontoreduceairpollution.AfterafireonNov.1,2014,AirAllianceHoustonlearnedthattheagreementallowedthecompanytohaveseveralfiresayear.Today,AirAllianceHouston is part of an NIH grant to study the scrapmetal recycling industry that includes the City ofHouston,UTHealth,andRiceUniversity.

11. Southern Crushed Concrete/Cemex – 600 Lockwood Dr,Houston,TX77011.Theconcretebatchplant industryhascomeunderscrutiny inHoustonrecently,inpartduetoouradvocacyefforts.SouthernCrushed Concretewon a lawsuit against the City of Houstonthatinvalidatedacityordinanceregulatingthatindustry.Nowweareseekinglegislativechangeatthestatelevel.

End:AirAllianceHouston–3914LeelandSt,Houston,TX77003.AirAllianceHoustonreliesondonationstodoourworkcleaningupHouston’sair.Ourtoxictourshavealwaysbeen—andalwayswillbe—free.YourfinancialsupporthelpsustocontinueourworkimprovingairqualityandqualityoflifeinHouston.WeencourageyoutoconsideradonationtoAirAllianceHouston.Thankyou.

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ToxicTourOptionsandAdd-onsWeprovideavarietyoftouroptionsandadd-onssothatyoucancustomizeyourtourexperience.Ourstandard,three-hourtourbeginsattheAirAllianceHoustonofficesat9:00AMonSaturdayandincludesa light breakfast. It offers eleven points of interest and four stops, with a heavy focus on Houston’spetrochemicalindustry.Wearehighlyflexible,andwewillworkwithyoutoplanatourthatisrightforyouandyourgroup.PleasecoordinatewithourExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelson.TourGroupSizes1-3People:OursmallesttoursareledbyourExecutiveDirectorBakeyahNelson.14People:Heldinarented15-passengervan,thistourforupto14peoplefeaturesadriverfromAAHandBakeyahastourguide.27People:Thistourtakesplaceinarentedmini-buswithanon-boardrestroom.Bakeyahservesastourguidewhileadrivernavigates.DiningOptionsBreakfast:Wesupportlocalbusinesses,andourtoursfeaturebreakfasttacosfromBrothersTacoHouse,aninstitutioninHouston’sEastEnd.Weprovide1-2tacosperpersonandcoffee.Lunch:Brady’sLandingoffersadeliciousseafoodlunchbuffet.Privatediningroomsarealsoavailableforrentalforapresentationormeetingbeforeorafterthetour.AAHofferspresentationsonavarietyofsubjects.Oryoucanplanyourownmeetingorpresentation.AlternateRoute:Baytown&thePortofHoustonThisalternativetourrouteoffersdifferentpointsofinterest,includingthelargestsinglemanufacturingcomplexinthenationandmorestopsinthePortofHouston.Toincludethisroute,youmusteitherplanforalongertourorworkwithBakeyahtoremoveotherpointsofinterest.Thisrouteincludes:

• ExxonMobilBaytown–3465MarketStreet,Baytown,TX77520.Thesecond-largestrefineryinthenation,withacapacityof560,500bbl/day.

• Morgan’sPointCemetery–GeorgeAltvaterBlvd,LaPorte,TX77571.LocatedwithintheBarbour’scutturningbasinandPortofHoustoncontainerterminal.

• Barbour’sCut/BallesterFishingArea–Ballester,LaPorte,TX77571.AniceviewoftheBarbour’sCutturningbasin,wherelargercargovesselscanmaneuverwithintheHoustonShipChannel.

• HoustonYachtClub-3620MiramarDr,LaPorte,TX77571.LocatedinShoreacresandadjacenttotheBayportturningbasin.

• Bayport-3803SunriseDr.,LaPorte,TX77571.Thesecondoftwoturningbasins.• Bayport Cruise Terminal - 4700 Cruise St, Pasadena, TX 77586. This $160 million cruise ship

terminalwasatotalfailure.Recentlyrepurposedforautoimports.

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WaiverandRelease

I,_______________________________,agreetothisreleaseofallclaims,waiverofliabilityandassumptionofrisk(“WaiverandRelease”).IwaiveanyandallclaimsImayhavenowandinthefuture,andreleasefromallliabilityandagreenottosueAirAllianceHouston,itsofficers,agents,representatives,employees,hireddrivers,ortourguides[hereafterreferredtoas“Staff”]foranypersonalinjury,death,propertydamage,orlosssustainedbymeasaresultofmyparticipationinatourorexperienceofferedbyAirAllianceHoustonduetoanycausewhatsoever,includingwithoutlimitation,negligenceonthepartofAirAllianceHouston, itsStaff,tourpartners,orotherparticipants. IfurtheragreethatifIviolatethisagreementandattempttobringsuitagainstanypartofpartiesnamedherein,thatIwillbeheldresponsibleforattorney’sfeesandanycostsincurredbythatpersonindefendingsuchaction.I amaware that the tours andeventsoffered, in addition to theusualdangers and risks inherent, have certainadditionaldangersandrisks,someofwhichinclude:

• PhysicalexertionforwhichImaynotbepreparedandweatherextremessubjecttosuddenandunexpectedchange.

• Exposuretotoxicanddangerousairpollutantsthatmayhaveimmediateorlongtermhealtheffects.• Delaysorchangestothetourscheduleduetoroadclosures,accidents,ortrainsblockingroads.• Interactionswithcompanyofficials,privatesecurityforces,and/orlawenforcementofficers.

Iacceptalltheinherentrisksoftheproposedtourandthepossibilityofpersonalinjury,death,orpropertydamageorlossresultingtherefrom.Further,Iagreeatalltimesduringthetour,toabidebyandcomplywithanyadditionalinstructionsgivenbymytourguideoranyotherStaffandIacceptthatnon-compliancemayresultininjury,death,orpermanentdisability.Iunderstandthatnon-compliancemayresultinmyremovalfromthetour.InenteringthisWaiverandRelease,Iamnotrelyingonanyoral,writtennorvisualrepresentationsorstatementsbyAirAllianceHoustonoritsStafforanyotherinducementorcoerciontogoonthetour.Iconfirmthat,bymyownfreewill,IhavereadandunderstoodthisWavierandReleaseandagreethatthisWaiverandReleasewillbebindinguponmyheirs,nextofkin,executors,administrators,andsuccessors.IagreetoholdneitherAirAllianceHoustonnoritsStafforfacilityliableinanywayshouldanyharmcometome.Iagreetograntthesponsorsofthistouroreventtoaworldwide,royalty-freelicensetousemyphotographic,video,ordigitallikenessforpromotional,educational,and/orcommercialpurposes.Bysigningthiswaiver,IaffirmthatIhavefullyunderstoodandagreetotheseTermsandConditions,WaiverandReleaseofLiability._________________________________________________________ ____________________________Signature Date_______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________PrintedName Phone _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________Address Email____________________________________ ___ _________________City ST ZIP