Please help us Save Burnet from the Rock Crushing plant to be built on "Hoover Valley Road"
Please check out the new song below which supports SaveBurnet.com and opposes the proposed Rock Crushing Plant in Burnet. This song was written by Burnet's own and very talented Randy Wright and performed by Jeff Haese…Recorded at DUP Studios by Patrick Devaney & Jet Jobob Rodel.
Click the Download File below to hear the new hit song "Between and Rock and a Hard Place"
Click the Download File below to hear the new hit song "Between and Rock and a Hard Place"
Summary of the Dec 10th TCEQ meeting.
William McCartney’s Op-Ed:
TCEQ representatives stated that the only issue under consideration at this time is the impact the proposed quarry would have on air quality. While opponents voiced concerns about water runoff issues, significant negative impacts on aquifers (with estimated water usage of roughly 50,000 gallons per hour or 400,000 gallons over an 8-hour period and up to 600,000 gallons over a 12-hour operating day), and other environmental hazards, TCEQ made it clear that these issues would only be addressed after the current application is approved. During the meeting, one of the Commission’s representatives made a stunning admission that should spark outrage among policymakers and residents—not just in Burnet County, but across the state. TCEQ admitted that there are no air quality monitors in Burnet County or the surrounding area. The agency tasked with protecting the quality of Texas air collects no data in an area saturated with rock crushing operations, which are known to release pollutants into the air. One speaker mentioned that there may be a single air monitor in Llano and perhaps one in Cedar Park, but none in Burnet County itself. This is, frankly, beyond belief. Anyone who has driven through Burnet County knows the area is home to numerous quarry and rock crushing operations. For example, driving along Highway 281 between Marble Falls and Burnet reveals a string of rock crushers on the east side. Additionally, there are multiple quarries on Fairland Road and along Highways 71 and 29, as well as in other locations. Despite the presence of these operations—discharging dust containing harmful particulates, including carcinogens—TCEQ does not monitor the air quality in Burnet County. Now, the agency is on the verge of approving another rock crushing facility without the ability to tell residents whether the county’s air quality already exceeds acceptable limits. These quarries may already pose a severe health risk, yet the regulatory agency charged with safeguarding Texas’ air quality has no way of determining whether the existing operations are endangering public health. TCEQ—do the right thing. Put this application on hold until air monitoring equipment is installed and sufficient time is given to establish an air quality baseline for the air that we, our animals, and our vegetation depend on to survive. Protecting air quality is your responsibility. It’s time to act.
TCEQ representatives stated that the only issue under consideration at this time is the impact the proposed quarry would have on air quality. While opponents voiced concerns about water runoff issues, significant negative impacts on aquifers (with estimated water usage of roughly 50,000 gallons per hour or 400,000 gallons over an 8-hour period and up to 600,000 gallons over a 12-hour operating day), and other environmental hazards, TCEQ made it clear that these issues would only be addressed after the current application is approved. During the meeting, one of the Commission’s representatives made a stunning admission that should spark outrage among policymakers and residents—not just in Burnet County, but across the state. TCEQ admitted that there are no air quality monitors in Burnet County or the surrounding area. The agency tasked with protecting the quality of Texas air collects no data in an area saturated with rock crushing operations, which are known to release pollutants into the air. One speaker mentioned that there may be a single air monitor in Llano and perhaps one in Cedar Park, but none in Burnet County itself. This is, frankly, beyond belief. Anyone who has driven through Burnet County knows the area is home to numerous quarry and rock crushing operations. For example, driving along Highway 281 between Marble Falls and Burnet reveals a string of rock crushers on the east side. Additionally, there are multiple quarries on Fairland Road and along Highways 71 and 29, as well as in other locations. Despite the presence of these operations—discharging dust containing harmful particulates, including carcinogens—TCEQ does not monitor the air quality in Burnet County. Now, the agency is on the verge of approving another rock crushing facility without the ability to tell residents whether the county’s air quality already exceeds acceptable limits. These quarries may already pose a severe health risk, yet the regulatory agency charged with safeguarding Texas’ air quality has no way of determining whether the existing operations are endangering public health. TCEQ—do the right thing. Put this application on hold until air monitoring equipment is installed and sufficient time is given to establish an air quality baseline for the air that we, our animals, and our vegetation depend on to survive. Protecting air quality is your responsibility. It’s time to act.