A concrete batch plant mixes cement, sand, gravel, water, and other ingredients to produce concrete.

The process can release particulate matter (dust) when cement and aggregates are transferred, stored, mixed, and loaded. Dust can also come from stockpiles and heavy trucks traveling on plant roads.

Of particular concern are PM10 and PM2.5—tiny airborne particles that can be inhaled into the respiratory system—and crystalline silica, a component of sand and stone that can be harmful when inhaled as fine dust.

How far can it travel?

There is no single “safe radius.” Larger particles tend to settle closer to the source, while smaller particles can remain airborne and travel farther depending on wind, weather, particle size, and site conditions.

The main health concern is particulate matter—the tiny particles of dust that can be inhaled by people and animals.

Exposure to particulate pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including aggravated asthma and reduced lung function. Children, older adults, and people with existing heart or lung conditions can be especially vulnerable.

Concrete materials can also contain crystalline silica. Repeated inhalation of fine silica dust can damage the lungs and, at sufficient exposure levels, cause serious disease.

Animals can also be exposed by breathing airborne particles or through dust settling on soil, vegetation, feed, and water. The actual risk depends on the amount and type of pollution, distance, wind and weather, and the frequency and duration of exposure.

Beyond human and animal health, concrete batch plants can have other potential impacts on the surrounding environment and quality of life.

Potential impacts include heavy-truck traffic, industrial noise, nighttime lighting, increased water use, and stormwater runoff that may carry sediment or pollutants from industrial areas.

Dust can settle on homes, vehicles, crops, pastures, trees, and other vegetation. Heavy dust accumulation on leaves can interfere with photosynthesis, potentially stunting growth, damaging vegetation, and, in severe cases, contributing to the death of plants and trees.

These concerns are especially relevant in College Mound because the proposed site is surrounded by homes, farms, livestock, ponds, agricultural land, and wildlife habitat.

The proposed facility seeks authorization to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, potentially extending some of these impacts beyond normal daytime working hours.

College Mound is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have the same zoning and land-use protections that many cities use to separate heavy industrial operations from homes, farms, and community spaces.

Texas counties have limited authority over land use, which can leave rural communities with fewer tools to control where industrial facilities are located.

This raises a larger concern: Is it ever just one?

One concrete batch plant does not automatically mean another will follow. However, as Kaufman County continues to grow, demand for concrete and other industrial services will grow with it. Once industrial development becomes established in an area, there is concern that additional industrial development could follow.

We support responsible growth—but we also believe established rural communities deserve protection.

College Mound is a Community—not an Industrial Zone.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state agency responsible for environmental permitting and regulation in Texas.

For a concrete batch plant air permit, TCEQ primarily evaluates whether the proposed facility meets applicable air-quality requirements, including emission limits, pollution controls, and required distances.

Importantly, TCEQ’s air-permitting process does not address every potential impact on a community. Concerns such as traffic, noise, nighttime lighting, property values, and whether an industrial facility is appropriate for a rural community generally fall outside the scope of the air-permit review.

In other words, receiving an air permit does not mean that every community concern has been evaluated or resolved.

That is why Protect College Mound is working not only through the TCEQ process, but also with the community, local and state officials, environmental advocates, and legal counsel.

The TCEQ permitting process can seem complicated. Here is a simplified version:

1. Permit Application
The company submits an application to TCEQ describing the proposed facility and how it plans to meet environmental requirements.

2. Public Notice & Comments
The public is notified and given an opportunity to submit comments, raise concerns, and request further public participation.

3. Public Meeting
When there is significant public interest, TCEQ may organize a public meeting where residents can ask questions, express concerns, and formally submit comments.

More than 180 comments have been submitted, and College Mound has been granted a public meeting!

The meeting will take place in Kaufman County, making this an important opportunity for our community to come together and make its voice heard.

A public meeting is not a court hearing, and no final permit decision is made that night.

4. TCEQ Review & Hearing Requests
TCEQ considers public comments and qualifying requests for a contested case hearing. Not everyone automatically qualifies; TCEQ determines who meets the legal requirements to participate as an affected person.

5. Contested Case Hearing — If Granted
A contested case hearing is a formal legal proceeding, similar to a civil trial, involving attorneys, evidence, testimony, witnesses, and arguments before an administrative law judge.

If granted, the contested case hearing would likely be several months into 2027. These proceedings take time and involve several procedural steps before the hearing itself.Unlike the public meeting, this is a much more technical and legally demanding process. Only parties who meet the applicable legal requirements can formally participate.

Thankfully, Protect College Mound already has experienced legal counsel on our side and ready to stand up for our community throughout this process.

The administrative law judge generally makes a recommendation, and TCEQ ultimately makes the permit decision.

6. Final Decision
TCEQ ultimately decides whether the permit meets the applicable legal requirements. Depending on the circumstances, a final decision may later be challenged through judicial review.

This process does not necessarily have to reach the final step. The applicant, e.i. the concrete company, can choose to withdraw its application at any time

The process is not over. Public participation still matters.