Biedermann’s Quarry Bill Heads to Committee

A quarry bill introduced by Canyon Lake’s State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-73) goes before the Texas House’s Environmental Regulation Committee on Wednesday, and community and environmental activists who oppose the development of a rock quarry in central Comal County plan on testifying in favor of the measure.

H.B. 3798 would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to perform an aggregate production-operation (APO) air-quality study that would force the agency to validate its air models based on real-time data and to confirm whether aggregate-production operations like the proposed Vulcan Quarry would negatively impact public health.

“This is a common-sense bill and strongly supported in the Hill Country,” Biedermann said in an email.

David Drewa, director of Communications for Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry, which opposes development of the controversial 1,500-acre open-pit limestone quarry in a high-density residential area, said Vulcan isn’t the only APO interested in the area.

“It’s critical that we support good legislation like HB 3798 in order to achieve better long-term protection for the citizens and natural resources of the Texas Hill Country,” he said.

“Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry strongly supports HB 3798 since it gives authority to require mining permits, perform unannounced inspections of quarries, and monitor and report on quarry mining activities. This bill also requires TCEQ to conduct a statewide air quality assessment and take necessary actions based on the results of the study.”

Several members of Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry and Friends of Dry Comal Creek will be making the drive to Austin on Wednesday to testify in support of HB 3798.