The city of Marble Falls is asking for a contested case hearing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding Huber Carbonates’ request for more permitted dust production at its limestone mine on the south side of the city. 

Since April 2025, Huber has been pursuing an air quality permit with the TCEQ to increase its allowable dust production, which would come as a byproduct of conducting more mining and aggregate work at its quarry, located at 849 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. 

“As elected officials, the number one responsibility we have is to the health and safety of our citizens,” Marble Falls Mayor John Packer told DailyTrib. “Limiting the amount of dust in the air is critical to our citizens. Dust can be a nuisance, but it can also be a health hazard over time.”

Packer, along with other Marble Falls leaders, have requested a contested case hearing with the TCEQ for Huber’s permit application. This request, if approved, would send the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings for further review before a final decision could be made. 

In an open letter to the public, city officials cited concerns regarding the potential impacts of increased dust production on nearby homes and businesses and whether or not the data in the application accurately reflected the volume and mass of dust that would be produced if Huber followed through with its intended increases to mining activity. Also cited were the possible impacts on groundwater and surface water, and apprehension on whether TCEQ regulations would be effectively enforced if the permit were to be approved.

“The City believes these issues warrant further consideration through the contested case hearing process,” reads the Sept. 18 statement.

Marble Falls has consistently pushed back against Huber’s permit request. The city filed an official protest against the permit in May 2025. About a year later, in May, the TCEQ came to Marble Falls for a public meeting on the matter. 

As of Aug. 21, the permit was declared “technically complete” by the TCEQ, bringing it slightly closer to approval. 

Huber’s request

According to Huber’s air quality permit application, the company is asking for overall increases to its allowable “particulate matter emissions” at its quarry, referring to the potentially airborne dust and debris that would be produced from its limestone mining operation.

If approved, the permit would allow for longer operating hours, an increase to annual production, and more aggregate storage.

Depending on their size, the particles can be classified as “inhalable,” which poses health risks like decreased lung function, asthma, and other respiratory issues. 

The smaller the particle, the greater the potential health impacts.

• Total particulate matter increase request- from 2.45 tons per year to 10.54 tons per year (314 percent increase)
• Request for increase to particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less- from 1.9 tons per year to 6.26 tons per year (229 percent increase)
• Request for decrease to particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less- from .95 tons per year to .94 tons per year (1 percent decrease)

Over 70 responses were received in a request for comment on the permit, including comments from District 19 State Representative Ellen Troxclair, Marble Falls Mayor John Packer, and Marble Falls City Manager Caleb Kraenzel.

In a 15-page document released on Aug. 13 in response to these public comments (found here under the “application documents” section), TCEQ Executive Director Kelly Keel said the following: 

“The executive director determined that the emissions authorized by this permit are protective of both human health and welfare and the environment.

“The proposed permit contains the required control processes to minimize dust.

“Specifically, the permit requires all in-plant roads, stockpiles, truck loading and unloading areas, parking areas, and other traffic areas to be sprinkled with water and/or paved with a cohesive hard service and cleaned as necessary to maintain compliance with all applicable TCEQ rules and regulations.

“Air emissions from this facility are not expected to adversely impact land, livestock, wildlife, crops, or visibility, nor should emissions interfere with the use and enjoyment of surrounding land or water.”

dakota@thepicayune.com