CALL TO ACTION!
Public Commenting Period: Quarry and Mine Permit Application near Highland Lakes
A quarry has been proposed near Inks Lake and Longhorn Caverns. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is accepting public comments on the project, as they are one of the permitting authorities. The LCRA has determined the application from Asphalt Inc. to be "administratively complete", however, NO hydrological or geological assessment has been completed.
The proposed site is about 3 miles as the crow flies from the Longhorn Caverns and will be mining above the Ellenburger-San Saba Aquifer, a major source of groundwater in the area. Without thorough assessments, the potential impacts of mining near these environmentally sensitive features cannot be adequately considered.
Help us urge the LCRA to require the applicant, Asphalt Inc, to conduct thorough environmental assessments of the potential impacts this mining operation could have on the surrounding area prior to permit approval.
Comments Due: Friday, February 7 by 11:59pm
How to Submit: Comments to the LCRA can be submitted electronically, by mail, or delivered in-person.
Electronic Submission:
Deliver In-person:
LCRA – HLWO Comment
3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
Mail:
LCRA – HLWO Comment
Mail Stop L106
P.O. Box 220
Austin, TX 78767
Sample Comment Text:
RE: HLWO permit application number 2024-5606
To Whom It May Concern,
I [or your business / organization] strongly oppose the approval of permit application #2024-5606 in Burnet County. The applicant, Asphalt Inc., must be required to conduct thorough hydrological and geological studies to assess the potential damage a mining operation could cause in such an environmentally sensitive area. Longhorn Caverns, a unique and fragile karst system, is directly connected to the region’s groundwater. The blasting necessary for rock extraction risks widening fissures and fractures within the cave system, leading to irreversible structural damage and potential groundwater contamination. Without comprehensive studies, the full extent of these risks cannot be known or mitigated.
OPTIONAL - Add a personal connection to the Longhorn Caverns, an experience with the impact of quarries, or personal comments on the vulnerability of our groundwater.
As the agency charged with protecting the Highland Lakes and regional water resources, the LCRA must go beyond merely verifying administrative completeness when reviewing this permit. A project of this magnitude demands a rigorous, science-based assessment to determine whether it poses an unacceptable risk to critical natural resources. I urge the LCRA to uphold its responsibility by requiring the necessary studies and safeguards before any permit is considered.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Previous Call to Action: TCEQ's list of general best management practices for Aggregate Production Operations (APOs)
The public commenting period closed January 24, 2025. We are now awaiting notice from the agency on next steps.