Frac Sand Plant Opposed Near Texas Historical Site

There is opposition to a proposed frac sand processing plant in parts of Atascosa and Bexar counties, Texas. On Jan. 28, approximately 100 people gathered on Old Applewhite Road for two hours to share their concerns about the mine, according to the Pleasanton Express, one of which is that the site for the proposed plant is a historic one.

Pamphlets were handed out and many signed the petition that began, “We the undersigned call the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to take action and ask that they refrain from permitting Sand Mining of Texas LLC or any of its affiliates from being able to operate on or around Bruce Road and Applewhite Road in Atascosa County, Texas.”

The petition asks TCEQ to take into consideration that this is a fairly new industry in Texas with little oversight and regulation on these types of industrial sand mine processing plants. This can mean huge consequences for future health, stated the petition.

“This frac sand processing plant poses serious health risks from fugitive dust that has no way of being contained on site. Mining, blasting, crushing, cleaning, loading and hauling are all examples of how the crystalline silica can become airborne,” the petition stated.

The proposed plant is near the site of the Battle of Medina, which was fought approximately 20 miles south of San Antonio de Bexar on Aug. 18, 1813, as part of the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish authority in Mexico. Spanish troops led by General José Joaquín de Arredondo defeated the Republican Army of the North, consisting of Tejano-Mexican and Tejano-American revolutionaries participating in the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition, under General José Álvarez de Toledo y Dubois. It was the deadliest battle in Texas history.

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