News Articles

January 10, 2024

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Foster

 

I am the President of Friends of the River (FOR) San Bernard, a non-profit [501(c)3] organization representing citizens who live on or around the San Bernard River. Our mission is to restore, protect, promote and ensure a clean, healthy, flowing San Bernard River for the enjoyment of present and future generations. It is our understanding that in March 2023, Charles River Laboratories formed Kandurt LLC to acquire 538 acres of land located on County Road 2 near where Brazoria, Fort Bend, Matagorda and Wharton Counties meet.

 

As we understand, Charles River Laboratories intends to house purpose bred primates in buildings at the site. These primates will be transported to the site on Brazoria County roadways. The property acquired by Kandurt LLC for this project is unsuitable for commercial development, especially a medical research facility. The land is covered in trees, is low lying and near or adjacent to San Bernard River tributaries that have a history of significant flooding. Being close to the upper east Gulf of Mexico coastline, this property experiences frequent tropical storm and hurricane effects.

 

The intended use of this facility to house non-human primates raises many concerns about this site and the impact to Brazoria County citizens, livestock, wildlife and recreational waters nearby. This facility could generate significant quantities of biological waste from the primates housed on site. We are concerned biological waste, including hormones and potential diseases, could be exposed to ground at the site and flow into the San Bernard watershed, a major recreational area we represent.

 

FOR is concerned about the public’s health and safety, the animal welfare and pathogen introduction with the development of this facility. This type of facility is not a good fit into the quality of life in Brazoria County or the San Bernard watershed. Friends of the River (FOR) San Bernard is adamantly opposed to the proposed Charles River project. We support landowners, as well as our Brazoria County Local, State and Federally elected officials that are outspoken in opposition to this project.

 

Sincerely,

John Swanson
President, Friends of the River San Bernard

 

Cc:   Congressman Randy Weber