You Ask, We Investigate: Update on Oil Seeping On Knox County Ranch

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You Ask, We Investigate: Update on Oil Seeping On Knox County Ranch

Dan Garcia

Story Created: Dec 26, 2008 at 10:49 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2009 at 1:23 PM CST

More people could be getting involved in what could be a huge environmental clean up case over in Knox County.

A few weeks back, "You Ask We Investigate" looked into land polluted by oil seepage. Robert Crowell owns this Knox County ranch, west of Knox City. It is beautiful property, with the Brazos river running nearby.

"Now I believe this contamination that you see right here goes all the way to the river," said Crowell.

Crowell is talking about oil pipes he believes have been leaking for years. But Crowell is worried the pipes aren't just leaking underground. Crowell says it's only a matter of time before contamination is pulled into the Brazos River. He thinks state agencies aren't doing everything possible to force the company that caused the mess to clean it adequately. Crowell says the company dug this big hole, and carted off the soil but that's as far as it got.

Take a look at the darkened areas they show where old oil still exists. Crowell said, "Strictly an economic issue and a lack of our regulatory commission being Texas Rail Road Commission's Elizabeth Jones as the director... their unwillingness to make them clean it up."

But Robert Crowell isn't giving up. He says he has taken the fight to area authorities and hopes to get the Texas Attorney General involved. Crowell says his soil has tested positive for benzine, lead and arsenic among other chemicals. He's asked several county officials to look into the contamination. He hopes they will ask the Texas Attorney General to investigate.

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