Hearing for proposed Vulcan Quarry in Comal County set for Dec. 8

A lawsuit filed by local citizens' groups opposing a proposed quarry owned by Vulcan Construction Materials LLC will be heard by a judge Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. in the 459th District Court in Travis County.

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 14 by Friends of Dry Comal Creek and Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, aims to reverse the TCEQ’s approval of air quality permits submitted by Vulcan for their proposed rock crushing facility.

Plaintiffs have raised concerns that the new facility could increase area air pollution, pose a threat to the Edwards Aquifer or lead to decreased property values in nearby neighborhoods, according to a press release from Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry.

The proposed 1,500-acre quarry would be located between FM 3009 and Hwy. 46 and would cover a portion of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Vulcan must also receive approval from the TCEQ for a water pollution abatement permit before operations can begin, according to the quarry website. The permit application includes a geological assessment and plans to manage stormwater.

Mining of the quarry is expected to last approximately 80 years, and 40% of the property, including 100-foot buffer zones from the property line, would not be mined, according to the quarry website.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the hearing will be conducted via Zoom and will be streamed live on the district court’s YouTube channel.

A decision in the case is expected to be rendered within a month, according to David Drewa, communications director for Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry.