BURNET COUNTY, Texas - Clean air advocates hope to stop a rock demolition plant from opening in southwest Burnet County.
Their ire is over what they call a lenient permitting process set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
"The TCEQ is not even required to do a site visit on any of their applications, which is another thing that really, really concerns me. If they were required to drive out, they would've seen that there's a hospital within a mile," says Marble Falls resident Grant Dean.
Dean has lived in Marble Falls for 35 years. A developer by trade, he’s familiar with bureaucratic red tape, which is why he finds the TCEQ permitting process unusual.
"I didn’t think anything happened in the government in six days, I mean, because it takes months for me to get an application and a permit approved from the City of Marble Falls. But in six days you can pay $900 bucks and you can have your authorization to proceed and leave blanks in your application," he said.
At the root of the matter, according to Dean, is whether or not TCEQ used due diligence when considering the application from Asphalt Incorporated.
Dean is convinced the agency didn't consider the proximity of Asphalt Incorporated's proposed rock quarry to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center or surrounding neighborhoods. He expects they'll quickly see the adverse effects of toxic dust blowing from the proposed quarry if it goes through.
"We have predominantly south winds here at all times which will carry the fugitive dust to the north towards our hospital, towards our town, towards Horseshoe Bay," he said.
TCEQ is currently taking public comment through its online portal.
In a statement, the agency said:
"After the close of the comment period, the Executive Director will issue a formal written Response to Comments responding to all timely written comments submitted to the agency. The comment period for this application has been extended and will close on October 31, 2017. The TCEQ will also hold an informational meeting at which the public will have the opportunity to ask agency staff questions about the permit registration application."
That public informational meeting is scheduled for October 26 at the Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls.
Calls to Asphalt Incorporated have not been returned. We will update this story once we hear back.