Save Sandy Creek thanks State Senator Dawn Buckingham’s office, State Representative Andy Murr and U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway’s office for their attendance at the TCEQ public hearing and their interest in gathering information on this important issue. Local elected officials attending and speaking were Mike Bird, City Councilman from Sunrise Beach, and Peter Jones, Llano County Precinct 1 Commissioner.
Here is a brief recap of the information presented:
Pictured to the left above is the new plot plan, which shows SIX sand stockpiles. These stockpiles will be 45 feet high and their bases will cover one acre each. This information was not known to the public prior to this meeting.
Scott & White Medical Center, near the intersection of HWY 71 and 281, is about 45 feet high -- the height of the six proposed sand stockpiles. It covers half an acre, so the sand stockpiles will be double its width. Pictured in the section below is an image of the equipment that will be on site.
Property owner Steve Nash and Collier Materials have repeatedly said this was to be a modest plant, but now the truth is known. They will be expanding their production levels multi-fold from what was previously represented. This new level of production will exacerbate all the concerns for area residents, animals, and the environment.
Altogether 25 residents that live closest to the sand mine spoke against it, some detailing their age and significant pulmonary illnesses that will be aggravated by the pollution from the plant. One young father explained that he is on dialysis and has an immune disorder. He felt that the quantity of particulate matter from the plant will assure his death, echoing statements made by others.
Beyond the particulate matter that was the topic at hand, TCEQ explained that they had no idea where the water would come from to spray the sand stockpiles, although all of their conclusions assumed adequate water at all times to keep the pollution under control.
An email from Kevin Collier of Collier Materials was shown, in which he indicated that last year his sand mine in Llano County consumed 1.1 million gallons of water per month. This is almost 50,000 gallons per day. This area has not been proven to produce that volume of water.
Both Steve Nash and Kevin Collier were present at the public meeting but neither offered comments supporting the sand mine, nor did anyone else.
Not one single individual spoke in favor of this project.
Thank you to all who attended for presenting reasoned, articulate, calm, factual testimony.