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Rock Quarries
The Edwards Aquifer, and other aquifer in Texas, are being blasted, chopped, and dug up. Often the limestone rock is crushed at the site of the quarry before being hauled off in large trucks, frequently to road construction sites.
* Currently there are no adequate state regulations to protect groundwater, surface water, or adjacent communities from the impacts of the rock crushers and quarries.
* Where these facilities are located in Edwards Limestone, the underlying aquifer is particularly vulnerable to contamination, whether or not the quarry actually excavates to below the aquifer water level.
* Local communities experience air quality degradation, dangerous roadways with higher traffic volume, and water quality degradation. They have no voice, however, in quarry or crusher siting or operational decisions.
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance recommends that the Texas Legislature act immediately to:
- Require a moratorium on rock crusher and quarry permits until adequate regulations to protect groundwater, surface water, and neighboring communities have been promulgated.
- Empower local elected officials to regulate crusher/quarry siting, land use compatibility, air and water quality.
- Prohibit rock crushers or quarries within one-half mile of residences, churches, schools, hospitals, day care providers, parks, or surface water used as a public drinking water supply.
- Prohibit rock crushers or quarries where the county commissioners court has determined that the proposed rock crusher or quarry will impair the health, safety, and welfare of county residents.
- Require an accurate determination of the effect of any proposed crusher or quarry on groundwater, surface water, and roads prior to permitting.
- Require notice of any proposed crusher or quarry to land owners within one mile of property boundaries.
- Require operational methods and equipment to protect air and water quality.
- Control blasting, heavy equipment operation, stockpiling and transportation operations to protect surrounding neighbors and water supplies.
- Limit the maximum active mining area and maximum quarry depth.
- Control blasting by limiting the charge size so that physical motion, dust, or noise does not damage adjacent property.
- Require that blasting areas be covered to contain dust.
- Limit the size, weight and number of vehicles from the quarry or crusher using public roads.
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