Updated August 3: Protest Against Concrete Plant

Updates Regarding Proposed Concrete Plant in New Sweden 

(as of 8/3/23)

Dear Friends of New Sweden,

We got confirmation yesterday that the hearing will indeed take place next week:

TCEQ Public Hearing for Air Quality Permit #173049
6:00 pm, Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Courtyard by Marriott Austin, Pflugerville; Pflugerville Conference Center

We need YOUR help to get people out there – let’s get 100+ again this time. We must rally more support! The more our protest community grows and digs in on the issue now, the better we will be prepared for any additional hearings at the county or elsewhere.

Call to Action

1)  Submit comments to TCEQ (see tips below) in protest against Permit #173049. Feel free to send the same protest letter that you sent before. It is imperative that TCEQ see that we’re not giving up. (https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/)

2)  Make your plans now to attend the Aug. 9 hearing. Please carpool, bring your family, and offer rides to your neighbors. Please reply to this email and let us know if you’ll be there or not. With it happening during the summer and harvest time, we need help getting people to attend!

3)  Spread the word: Post to social media and forward this email. Here’s a social media blurb you can use, and flyers and a map are attached to this email.

Help us keep this concrete plant out of New Sweden!! A 24/7 concrete batch plant belongs on an industrial site, not in the middle of ag land and the historic New Sweden community. Visit this link for details! (http://mandaschool.org/savenewsweden/)

4) If you can help hand out flyers this weekend, let me know and we’ll make arrangements to get them to you.

Tips for comments to TCEQ:

The TCEQ application is for an air quality permit. In your letter, please express a concern about the high winds in the New Sweden area that would easily spread the volatile organic compounds and other substances known to be harmful to humans and livestock. Those of us in the countryside know that the winds are unobstructed where the trees are sparse, and there is no doubt that the dust from the two concrete plants will not be controlled or contained.
 
The concrete plant will detrimentally affect the community in many ways:

  • Dust will cause damage to our properties, our pets and livestock, our agricultural crops, and our physical health and well-being.
  • Truck traffic at all hours of the day and night will greatly damage our roads, cause dangerous driving conditions, and produce toxic emissions.
  • Continuous grinding and mixing noise could occur 24 hours a day.
  • Air pollution from concrete plants is known to be deadly and to increase health issues including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
  • Concrete plant will stress regional water supply and cause contamination and flooding of surface and groundwater.
  • Other industrial development will surely follow a plant like this, blighting the area’s natural beauty and devaluing the entire community.
  • 24-7 operating hours will have countless negative effects on the quality of life in the area.

Please submit your letter electronically BY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9th, at: www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ for Permit #173049 or mail your letter to:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Office of the Chief Clerk
MC-105 PO Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087          
Many generations have worked hard to preserve and maintain this beautiful countryside. Many newcomers have quickly embraced the area and made it their home. The historic New Sweden Lutheran Church and Manda School, the only two room schoolhouse left in Travis County, shine among other features of historic significance. We must fight and stop them from opening the door to industrialization of this beloved countryside and special historic community.

Please join us in this protest! Thank you for your help!

RESOURCES & MEDIA

Thank you everyone for continuing your efforts to protect New Sweden and all of Texas from these harmful industrial sites.

 

(as of 7/23/23)

Dear Friends of New Sweden,

5 Star Concrete’s next public hearing with the TCEQ is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9 at 6:00 in Pflugerville. It is for Permit #173049.

Efforts are underway to request a postponement and a change in location for the August meeting.

We must write letters once again concerning this issue. Feel free to send the same protest letter that you sent before but be sure to add a request for a change to the date and venue. Even if you have recently submitted comments, please do so again with the requested changes. It is imperative that TCEQ see that we’re not giving up even though a second hearing is required.

Call to Action

1)  Submit comments to TCEQ (see tips below) with the date and location change request and in protest against Permit #173049. (https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/)

  • Request a postponement to September 27th or in October. Be specific about your farming activities or summer vacation plans on August 9 if those activities will make participation difficult for you on that date.
  • Request a venue change to the New Sweden Lutheran Church, 12809 New Sweden Church Road, rather than in Pflugerville.

2)  Mark your calendar for Aug. 9 and Sept. 27 for the public hearing, Hopefully we’ll convince them to change to the September date, but we need to hold the August date in case that doesn’t work out.

3)  Spread the word: Post to social media and forward this email. Here’s a social media blurb you can use, and flyers and a map are attached to this email.

Help us keep this concrete plant out of New Sweden!! A 24/7 concrete batch plant belongs on an industrial site, not in the middle of ag land and the historic New Sweden community. Visit this link for details! (http://mandaschool.org/savenewsweden/)

Tips for comments to TCEQ:

The TCEQ application is for an air quality permit. In your letter, please express concern about the high winds in the New Sweden area that would easily spread the volatile organic compounds and other substances known to be harmful to humans and livestock. Those of us in the countryside know that the winds are unobstructed where the trees are sparse, and there is no doubt that the dust from the two concrete plants will not be controlled or contained.

The concrete plant will detrimentally affect the community in many ways:

  • Dust will cause damage to our properties, our pets and livestock, our agricultural crops, and our physical health and well-being.
  • Truck traffic at all hours of the day and night will greatly damage our roads, cause dangerous driving conditions, and produce toxic emissions.
  • Continuous grinding and mixing noise could occur 24 hours a day.
  • Air pollution from concrete plants is known to be deadly and to increase health issues including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
  • Concrete plant will stress regional water supply and cause contamination and flooding of surface and ground water.
  • Other industrial development will surely follow a plant like this, blighting the area’s natural beauty and devaluing the entire community.
  • 24-7 operating hours will have countless negative effects on quality of life in the area.

Please submit your letter electronically at: www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ for Permit #173049 or mail your letter to:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Office of the Chief Clerk

MC-105 PO Box 13087

Austin, TX 78711-3087

Early August is a terrible time for getting people to show up – not only is it so hot, but many people will still be on summer schedules and vacations and unable to attend, as school will not yet be in session. Additionally, farmers are tending to the summer harvests. After school starts back up, schedules will be more predictable and manageable for community members.

Many generations have worked hard to preserve and maintain this beautiful countryside. Many newcomers have quickly embraced the area and made it home. The historic New Sweden Lutheran Church and Manda School, the only two-room schoolhouse left in Travis County, shine among other features of historic significance. We must fight and stop them from opening the door to industrialization of this beloved countryside and special historic community.

Please join us in this protest! Thank you for your help!

(as of 6/23/23)

5 Star Concrete has submitted a new air quality permit request to TCEQ. The community needs to come together to figure out next steps. More on that in early July.

In the meantime…..

  • We have more time now to learn about the issues surrounding concrete batch plants and other harmful industrial development – see resources below.
  • If there are still people who are not receiving our communications, please have them email SaveNewSweden@gmail.com to sign up for the email list.
  • Let’s celebrate that our community came together quickly around this cause because we all care greatly about the land, the history, the crops and livestock, our roads, and most importantly, the wonderful and diverse people who live and travel throughout the area.

Resources to Learn More About Concrete Batch Plants in Texas

Texas Tribune article published earlier this month

Guide to Air Quality Permitting for Concrete Batch Plants

Public Citizen – organization with a history of fighting concrete plants

Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining

Thank you everyone for continuing your efforts to protect New Sweden and all of Texas from these harmful industrial sites.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Keep Concrete Plant out of New Sweden
Keep concrete plant out of New Sweden - map