Martin Marietta Materials Southwest Division has entered into an agreement with local landowners for a long-term lease to extract limestone products used for the construction of homes, roads, schools and churches.  We expect quarrying operations to begin in approximately 2011.

The quarry will encompass 1,200 acres approximately seven miles north of Highway 90 between D’hanis and Hondo.  The site is located in a rural area of western Medina County.

Medina County is blessed with a natural abundance of high quality limestone.  The railroad in Medina County allows us to use the safest, cleanest and most efficient method of delivering our product.  Most counties in the United States are home to at least one aggregates operation.

No.  We have purchased all the land for this project at top market prices from willing sellers.

No.  With the exception of materials delivered to local projects, aggregates produced by the quarry will primarily be transported by rail.  A railroad spur will link the quarry to the existing rail line at Highway 90.  One train equals more than four hundred trucks kept off local roads.

The spur will cross only two lightly traveled county roads and will carry an average of two to four designated quarry trains per day.  The wait for crossing when trains are present will be minimal.  Appropriate safety precautions will be used for the safety of local drivers.

Our rail line will run primarily along a ridge on high ground.  We have studied the land closely and do not expect there to be any impact on existing water features.

Martin Marietta’s investment in Medina County will result in significant economic benefits for local residents.  The $50 million to $75 million project will become one of the largest taxpayers in the county, with combined property taxes estimated at more than one million per year.  The project will employ more than 50 people with average salaries of $40,000 per year plus benefits.

Limestone quarries have existed over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone for nearly 100 years.  Our quarry will use proven methods, such as clean electricity, that do not pose a threat to the aquifer.  As with our other facilities over the Recharge Zone, we will take every precaution to protect the region’s water supply.  Our activities will be highly regulated by local, state and federal agencies.

We will use best practices to control dust.  The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality requires quarries to obtain an air quality permit by proving that we will control dust from our operations.

Landscaping and berms built around the perimeter of the property will reduce noise and visual impact.

Blasting will be monitored with seismographs so that our activities do not reach the threshold that could cause any damage to nearby structures.

Based on past experiences, we do not expect the quarry will harm property values.  Our quarries in the San Antonio area are located among some of the highest valued properties in the city.  Upscale neighborhoods, schools, churches and shopping centers have been developed around our quarries.