Central Texas Farmers Push for Stronger Quarry Regulations
As lawmakers convene at the Texas State Capitol for the legislative session, Central Texas farmers and residents living near quarries are making their voices heard. They are urging lawmakers to pass new bills that would impose stricter regulations on aggregate production operations (APOs), including quarries and concrete batch plants.
Mark Friesenhan, a local farmer, emphasized the need for balance in the industry, stating,
“It’s time to start moving to the middle ground of equity for all the stakeholders involved in the APO industry.”
He and other advocates are rallying behind two bills introduced by Williamson County State Representative Terry Wilson, which aim to bring better oversight and accountability to quarry operators.
Proposed Bills: What They Aim to Change
HB 873 – Requiring Quarry Reclamation Plans
One of the major concerns surrounding quarries is what happens to them once operations cease. Currently, Texas law does not require quarry operators to have a reclamation plan, which means abandoned quarries can be left as large, unregulated pits.
Cliff Kaplan, secretary for Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining (TRAM), explained the significance of House Bill 873, saying,
“What will happen to the quarry after it has lived its life as a quarry? There’s a big pit in the ground. Currently, there are no requirements that operators have to follow to plan for that eventuality.”
If passed, HB 873 would ensure that quarries have a clear and regulated plan for land restoration after they are no longer in use.
HB 1018 – Quarry Certification Program
The second proposed bill, HB 1018, would establish a certification program recognizing quarry operators who voluntarily follow best management practices. The goal is to incentivize operators to adopt environmentally responsible practices, rather than relying on optional guidelines.
Michael Spano, co-founder of the Coalition Of Responsible Environmental Aggregate Mining (CREAM) in Williamson County, expressed his enthusiasm for the bill, saying,
“With the certification, that kind of gives them an incentive. Otherwise, it’s kind of nice, or maybe we can do it, maybe the neighborhoods might ask us to do it, and you know, it’s optional.”
A key component of this bill is that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the largest buyer of construction materials in the state, would be directed to purchase supplies from certified operators. This could encourage more quarry companies to comply with best management practices to gain state contracts.
Why This Matters to the Community
For residents living near quarries, stricter regulations would mean improved air and water quality, reduced environmental impact, and better overall community relations.
Best management practices, such as responsible water consumption and dust mitigation, are essential for addressing concerns raised by people living close to quarry sites. A study published by CREAM in June found that 60% of 200 respondents reported dealing with excessive dust from quarries.
Spano highlighted the importance of improving relationships between quarries and nearby communities, stating,
“We really want them, these APOs, these quarries, these concrete batch plants to be better neighbors rather than to be looked on as invaders.”
The Quarry Industry’s Perspective
The Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA), which represents quarries across the state, responded to the proposed legislation with a statement to Fox 7.
TACA emphasized the growing demand for materials such as aggregates, concrete, and cement, driven by Texas’ rapid population growth. The association stated,
“Our priority for the 89th legislative session is to ensure that we can continue to deliver the critical infrastructure materials required to build the roads, bridges, schools, buildings, homes, and hospitals that sustain the state’s unprecedented growth, in a regulatory environment that provides certainty and consistency.”
While TACA did not explicitly oppose the bills, their statement suggests a focus on maintaining a regulatory framework that allows them to meet the state’s infrastructure needs efficiently.
What’s Next?
With the legislative session underway, the fate of these bills will depend on the support they receive from lawmakers. Advocates like Friesenhan and Spano are urging legislators to take action and consider the long-term impact of unregulated quarries on Texas communities.
As discussions continue, the key question remains: Can Texas find a balance between the need for construction materials and the rights of residents living near quarries?
