Friends of the Land

Riverkeeper makes case before administrative judge:

Lower Colorado below Austin is impaired.

By H.S. Connett, Friends of the Land

AUSTIN, TX — A contested case hearing scrutinising major changes to a wastewater facility in Bastrop County concluded Tuesday with conflicting opinions on the health of the Lower Colorado River below Austin. The outcome of the case could have significant ramifications for how the river’s water quality is monitored, whether Texas is following EPA guidelines, and if higher standards might be required for wastewater permitting.

Bastrop Bus Stop Needs More Protection, Residents Say

Three Gravel Mines Move Into Wilbarger Bend

Proposed Rock Crushing Site across from Wilbarger Bend Road

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