Friends of the Land

Environmental Stewardship appeals TCEQ vote to permit Corix McKinney Rough wastewater permit.

“TCEQ sees no evidence of excessive attached algae in this segment of the river.” — Testimony from TCEQ staff.

By H.S. Connett, Friends of the Land

Environmental Stewardship is filing an appeal to Travis County District Court to reverse a decision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approving a permit for a 10-fold increase in wastewater treated at LCRA’s McKinney Roughs Park in Bastrop.

.The outcome of the case could have significant ramifications for how the river’s water quality is monitored, whether Texas is following EPA rules, and if higher standards might be required for wastewater permitting in the river below Austin..

Full article here

Rambo Materials Settlement Includes Stringent Water Monitoring, Advisory Council

BASTROP, TEXAS, AUGUST 28, 2025 — Creating a Citizens Advisory Committee and adopting a more stringent surface and groundwater monitoring protocol are highlights of a settlement reached by Rambo Materials, Environmental Stewardship and Friends of the Land.

The agreement will reduce noise and dust from Rambo’s Wilbarger Bend sand and gravel mining operation while also implementing more stringent planning and monitoring of its ground and stormwater impacts on this critical watershed in western Bastrop County.

“This agreement highlights the need for enhancing communication and implementing best practices through-out the basin will help protect the health of the river and the surrounding communities,” said Skip Connett, co-founder of Friends of the Land.

Full article here

Three Gravel Mines Move Into Wilbarger Bend

Does this look like agricultural land to you? Why are sand and gravel mines, like this one in Bastrop County, allowed to keep mined land in tax exempt agricultural valuationinstead of being appraised at their true commercial value, as required by state law?

Mining Operations Not Paying Fair Share of Property Taxes

Here is Google Earth map history of Texas Aggregates’ sand and gravel operation near FM 969 in Bastrop County. Since it bought the farmland in 2002, all but 1 of its 635 acres has remained in ag exemption — until 2023 (table below).

For the 2023 tax year the property initially received its ag exemption again despite most of the property being mined. It was later changed to wildlife exemption for 585 acres. The property’s assessed value for 2024 is nearly the same as it was in 2014. Taxes due in 2024 are $8209. Estimated taxes without exemptions are listed as $121,219. (see table #2 below)

Google Map of Mine in 2023