Texas law to help preserve future aggregate resources

Senate Bill 2196 in Texas mandates that the Bureau of Economic Geology develop a clear assessment of the location of vital mineral deposits located throughout the state. Photo: P&Q Staff

A new law in Texas requires that the state’s aggregate deposits be charted by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.

According to the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA), Senate Bill 2196 in Texas will allow public and private entities to access a critical materials database that houses identified and mapped aggregate deposits. SB 2196 is effective Sept. 1.

“SB 2196 is good for Texas, as it helps facilitate those materials that are critical to the growth and well-being of residents and businesses,” says Josh Leftwich, president and CEO of TACA. “Charting the state’s abundant natural resources will increase transparency for all stakeholders involved in or impacted by aggregate production operations.”

TACA says SB 2196 mandates that the Bureau of Economic Geology develop a clear assessment of the location of vital mineral deposits located throughout Texas, allowing the information to be easily accessed. SB 2196 provides an opportunity to avoid the unintentional obstruction or stranding of critical materials that result in increased costs and time requirements for public works, infrastructure and private projects, as well as increased traffic and emissions due to longer travel distances between the producer and the project.

Additionally, TACA says SB 2196 will help aggregate producers and housing and commercial developers avoid potential conflicts when determining where existing and possible future locations of suitable aggregate locations exist.