The Texas Materials Group has indicated it plans to revive an old railway along U.S. 281 between Burnet and Lampasas for the purpose of hauling crushed granite between quarries.
Many residents who live near the site of the proposed reactivation are mad-as-you-know-what about it, because they expect new operations along the old railroad track will produce excessive noise, harm protected species, lower property values, increase air pollution, threaten personal health, traffic safety and even more issues.
During their regular meeting April 8, Burnet County Judge Bryan Wil- son, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery signed a formal resolution to indicate their official opposition to the railway and promptly forwarded the document to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Only a few hours after the commissioners met April 8, more than 200 local residents attended a town hall meeting on the railroad subject in Burnet at the Hill Country Fellowship main auditorium, 200 Houston Clinton Drive.
Beierle hosted the town hall. He mentioned the only substantive power county officials may possess on the railroad issue is restricted to forwarding to the Texas Department of Transportation complaints residents could document about minor conditions or incidents at rail crossings that could interfere with livestock moves.
“That is about it,” Beierle said.
Nevertheless, the commissioner urged the crowd to gather as many details related to whatever circumstance could affect the future of their land, as many descriptions as possible, and forward all of them to as many officials outside the county as they can, including STB board members.
“Start looking at your property,” he said. “If you do not tell them, they won’t know anything about your land. You have to let them know about your land.”
After the end of a review period that could extend several months, the STB board could deny or grant approval of the railroad, Beierle added.
Already, Beierle pointed out, State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (HD-19), State Sen. Pete Flores (SD24) and State Rep. David Spiller (HD-68) have forwarded letters to the STB board to express many of their key concerns about the railroad.
“There are too many possible environmental impacts to list in particular, and we therefore request the highest-possible level of environmental review your office may provide,” Troxclair wrote to Adam Assenza, one of the STB board members.
Too, U.S. Representative John Carter (Texas- 31) is monitoring the issue, Beierle said.
“It seems like everybody you want to get on board to help us – is getting on board to help us,” Beierle added.
None of the town hall public speakers sounded happy during time for comment.
“I doubt if this (railroad) will make things any better,” Carol Hall said. “I hope people who are in a position to help us do something - will do something to help us.”
As he spoke to attendees, Austin attorney Dennis Donley (who owns property near the railroad) positively echoed the comments by Beierle.
“The real way to stop this (railroad) is in (Washington) D.C. at the (STB) board, Donley said. “Make sure you do everything you can think of. It is a painful process, but it is the only way to do it.”
