Burnet County quarry expansion protest prompts public meeting
An aerial view of APAC Texas LLC on U.S. 281 between Marble Falls and Burnet shows the footprint of the quarry, which is asking to expand its operations by 56 percent. Courtesy graphic
CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — A proposed quarry expansion and the potential increase in the amount of dust from rock-crushing operations prompted a group of landowners to protest an air quality permit by APAC Texas LLC before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The APAC rock-crushing facility currently produces 7.7 million tons of crushed rock per year.
The company has requested an amendment to its air quality permit to increase the annual production to 12 million tons per year, a 56 percent increase.
Along with the company’s proposed production expansion, the amendment to the permit addresses the amount of dust in the air, which would increase by approximately 18 percent if approved.
“We protested the permit modification. Depending on how that goes, there could be a contested hearing at a later point,” said Paul King, member of the Texas Hill Country Property Rights Coalition.
King joined with a handful of other landowners who live adjacent to the quarry property, located just north of Marble Falls on U.S. 281 near the Fairland Road intersection.
“We’re concerned when we see how white the trees are along the highway. Increasing by 56 percent will just put more particulate matter into the air,” King said. “Air is our primary concern, but also, the quarry sits right on top of the Ellenberger Aquifer.
“That’s where us ranchers in the area get our water from, but that’s also where several municipalities get their water from — Burnet and Bertram,” he added.
The coalition also hired an environmental attorney to assist them in their efforts against the quarry expansion.
Since the landowners approached TCEQ with their concerns, the regulatory board launched a process that starts with a public meeting to gather input and answer questions about the permit and amendment request.
“The amendment would also allow for the purchase or construction of additional equipment that’s necessary for that increased output,” said Brian McGovern, the media relations specialist for TCEQ. “TCEQ conducts a technical evaluation of air permits to determine whether or not the proposed controls would be effective in maintaining the output limits that are imposed in the permit.”
About 10 years ago, TCEQ approved an expansion by the former owners of the plant, Capitol Aggregates, up to the current level of 7.7 million tons of rock crushing per year.
Adjacent landowner Lee Gaddis said he recalled the battle ending at that time after the former quarry operator sold to another company and the state approved changes to the permit.
“It’s a massive plant to begin with. We just think it’s a long-term negative for the air quality of the region,” Gaddis said. “The emissions that we’re talking about are microscopic particles of dust that we really can’t see, and they’re really dangerous to people’s health if we get too much of it.”
Gaddis added he believes rock-crushing facilities — as many as three, including APAC along U.S. 281 — not only threaten air quality but also hamper residential expansion between Burnet and Marble Falls.
“It’s a major long-term concern to both of these communities, not to see it increase in production in the middle of these populated areas,” he said.
The public meeting is 7 p.m. May 5 at Riverbend Conference Center, 701 First St.
“During the informal discussion period, the public will be encouraged to ask questions of the applicant and TCEQ staff,” McGovern said. “The comments and questions submitted orally during the informal discussion period are not going to be considered before a decision is reached on the permit application, and no formal response will be made at that time.”
TCEQ officials said they will use the public response for insight into local concerns.
“A lot of times, there are things to consider that people who live there are aware of that we are not fully aware of here in Austin,” McGovern added.
Despite the current battle, landowners say they are supportive of the industry.
“The plant employs a lot of people, and they’re good people,” Gaddis said. “We don’t object to the plant as it is. We object to its expansion.”
King added, “We’re pro-business, pro-jobs, but there’s a balance. Everything should be done in moderation. We want jobs in the area. We want our community to grow and thrive, but we want to do it in a smart way.”
Calls to APAC Texas were not returned.
connie@thepicayune.com
3 thoughts on “Burnet County quarry expansion protest prompts public meeting”
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Question is: how do the citizens obtain a legal hammer to mandate that the local politicians and state officials start enforcing existing environmental rules and regulations and considering the public health and land impact situations for new and/or expanded operations? So far, Burnet Politicians have demonstrated a complete disregard for the environmental impact created by quarries in the county, and the TCEQ is just as bad in that they continually fail to enforce the continuous environmental dust cloud rule violations by APAC Texas LLC,Capitol Aggregates and Cactus Canyon Quarries. Seems the TCEQ always provides notifications of a pending inspection with ample time for these companies to adjust equipment and procedures to pass inspection.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL:
TCEQ Rules
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/rules/indxpdf.html
TCEQ Checklists For Texas Administrative Code 106 Subchapter E – Environmental Quality
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/permitting/air/forms/permitbyrule/checklist/sub_e_checklists.html
See PDF document: Permits by Rule, Sand and Gravel Processing 106.149 (TCEQ Form – 10111)
I agree with the protesters, it is horriable what they have done to that area half the trees are dead from all the dust and sometimes you can’t even see the road when you are going to Burnet TX, something needs to be done and quick.
Kudos to these folks standing up against the expansion. I agree with the perspective given in the last paragraph by King. There needs to be a balance.