It has come to our attention that Lauren Concrete has petitioned TCEQ to build a concrete batch plant at 4901 US Hwy 290. This enhanced control application provides us with very little time to respond. Our concerns include the nuisance of particulate matter affecting ambient air quality and potential negative health impact to residents in the Dripping Springs ETJ.  Additionally, we have significant concerns with water usage by this batch plant as west Dripping Springs depends solely on the Trinity aquifer. Klatt Properties, LLC aka Lauren Concrete drilled 4 Agricultural wells on this property in 2016. Each of these wells show drilling into the middle Trinity aquifer (where most west Dripping Springs residents get their water). This certainly begs the question why one ranch would have 4 Agricultural wells and now build a commercial plant? There are reports of individuals on McGregor and Bell Springs that now have dry wells due to the lack of rain.
 
Further, this batch plant will increase traffic along this repurposed section of US Hwy 290. This section of US Hwy 290 was repurposed into two lanes with a turn lane as a temporizing safety measure due to fatalities. The plant will be permitted for 300 cubic yards of concrete per hour of operation. One cement truck can haul 10 cubic yards of cement. Potentially in any given day of a 14-hour operation, 420 trucks would be utilizing the Hwy 290 corridor through Dripping Springs.  This does not include the trucks hauling aggregate into the plant.
 
Said hours of operation will begin at 6am Monday-Saturday, 6 days per week, 52 weeks per year. One silo will be a 70’ structure creating an aesthetic, light, and sound nuisance and pollution along the historic Texas Hill Country Trail (US 290). The permit requests three silos.
 
We ask, as members of the Dripping Springs ETJ and constituents of elected officials, for your assistance in contesting this batch plant that we feel strongly will adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of the ETJ and surrounding residents.  The comfort and peaceful enjoyment of our properties will be threatened by this commercial entity. 
 
If this cause resonates with you please sign the petition so key decision makers are aware of this issue. 

Janet Culver and Brooke Livingston for concerned citizens of the Dripping Springs ETJ and west Hays County

janet.doslagos@gmail.com

livingston.bl@gmail.com

IMPORTANT!!! ********* If you have not already submitted your comments to TCEQ, please  using the following link and Permit Number 152632) http://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/   ********