Troxclair moves to stop rock crusher, introduces bill to tighten quarry rules
State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (District 19) has filed a motion to overturn the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s approval of an air-quality permit for a proposed rock-crushing facility in Burnet County. Photo courtesy of Ellen Troxclair’s office
State Rep. Ellen Troxclair on Monday, March 3, filed a motion to overturn the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s recent approval of an air-quality permit for a controversial rock-crushing plant in Burnet County. She also introduced House Bill 3482, which would put tighter restrictions on new mining operations near lakes, state parks, and youth camps.
The proposed Asphalt Inc. rock quarry would be located on 200 acres just outside of the Burnet city limits on Hoover Valley Road. It has faced fierce public opposition due to its proximity to Inks Lake State Park, Longhorn Cavern State Park, and Camp Longhorn, a youth summer camp. Troxclair, who represents District 19, which includes all of Burnet County, said she is pursuing multiple strategies to protect the area.
“We are very concerned about what’s going on with the rock quarries and extremely focused on making sure that local residents’ property rights are not overrun by new developments,” she told DailyTrib.com. “Based on what is going on right now with the rock quarry, we’ve really been kind of laser-focused on what we can do to make sure that the community’s concerns are heard.”
MOTION TO OVERTURN
In her motion, Troxclair argued that the TCEQ failed to fully evaluate the public health and environmental risks of the rock-crushing facility. The commission approved the permit on Feb. 14, allowing Asphalt Inc. to operate up to 2,640 hours a year and process 200 tons of material an hour.
A motion to overturn, in this context, is part of the TCEQ permit application process. It allows parties to file against the approval of a permit and cite their reasons for doing so, which could lead to a retraction of the approval.
Troxclair’s motion raises concerns about air quality, health risks, and environmental damage, citing:
- the risk of particulate matter exposure, which can cause respiratory issues, especially in children;
- the plant’s proximity to Camp Longhorn, where 500-700 children stay in open-air cabins;
- the lack of local air-quality monitoring stations to track pollution;
- and potential threats to endangered species, including the golden-cheeked warbler and tricolored bat.
“There are few, if any, places in Texas where so many public, outdoor attractions with sensitive habitat are located in such close proximity to each other,” Troxclair stated in her motion.
Camp Longhorn, Inks Lake State Park, Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, and Longhorn Cavern State Park are all within 4 miles of the proposed site.
HOUSE BILL 3482
Alongside the motion to overturn, Troxclair introduced House Bill 3482 on Feb. 27, which would prevent the Lower Colorado River Authority from issuing permits for certain new quarries or mines unless a study confirms the operations would not harm surrounding natural resources.
The bill applies to mining operations within:
- 4 miles of an LCRA-owned lake;
- 4 miles of two or more state parks or caverns;
- and 2 miles of a state-licensed youth camp.
Asphalt Inc. is in the process of acquiring a permit from the Lower Colorado River Authority to move forward with the project.
“We’re going at it from all different angles: pushing back on the existing (LCRA permit application) while also pursuing legislation that would require them to meet additional parameters for a new permit,” Troxclair said.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
According to TCEQ regulations, the state commission will review Troxclair’s motion to overturn and decide whether to grant or deny the challenge. If it does not take action within 45 days of the permit approval notice being mailed (Feb. 14), the motion is automatically denied, allowing opponents to potentially pursue legal action.
HB 3482 will be reviewed during the 89th Texas legislative session. If passed, it could set new limits on future quarry projects across the state. Troxclair urged residents to stay engaged, follow the bill’s progress, and sign up for legislative alerts by contacting her office at 512-463-0490.
“If people will contact my office and request that their information be added to alerts, we will be sending out alerts on when these bills are going to be heard in committee,” she said. “That would be the most effective way for (people) to stay in the loop.”