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Aggregate Production Operations (APOs): General Best Management Practices (BMPs)

If you own or operate a rock quarry, gravel pit, borrow pit, or similar APO, use these recommendations and resources on industry BMPs to preserve both air and water quality.

The following information is a list of general best management practices (BMPs) for certain activities and operational considerations at aggregate production operations (APOs). TCEQ’s goals for this list include it being easily understood by members of the regulated community and the general public. TCEQ determined that the best way to accomplish this is for the APO BMPs listed here to be generalized and not conflict with the requirements of a particular APO. This list of APO BMPs also incorporates feedback from stakeholders during a published public comment period.

These BMPs do not supersede the actual language and requirements of TCEQ rules, regulations, or permits that may govern specific APO operations, activities, and facilities. The APO BMPs listed here are not enforceable themselves, but the list may highlight or reference regulatory or permit requirements that do apply and improve protection of the environment.

Be sure you are following the specific requirements that apply to your operation and/or its components or activities. Examples:

To find additional compliance information, visit Dirt, Sand, and Rock Quarries and Aggregate Processing Plants: Compliance Resources.

This list of general APO BMPs exists separate from those that apply to the specific context of sand mines located within the San Jacinto River Watershed. For more information about the required BMPs for those sand mines, please refer to Title 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 311, Subchapter J , and the rules’ required TCEQ BMPs regulatory guidance (RG-555) hyperlinked below under Additional TCEQ Resources.

Furthermore, the APO BMPs provided here only speak to activities and operational considerations within TCEQ’s regulatory jurisdiction. Matters not directly addressed here—such as those related to noise or light pollution, blasting, or water conservation—are not within TCEQ’s jurisdiction and may be within the regulatory jurisdiction of another federal, state, or local governmental body.

To find the most current, official copy of TCEQ rules, contact the Secretary of State’s office at 512-305-9623, or visit Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code .

Operating Practices for APOs

Obtain the appropriate TCEQ authorizations for your APO, including authorization for potential emissions source(s) and stormwater discharge(s).

Be a Good Neighbor

The best way to avoid creating a dust nuisance is to avoid creating dust. Take all reasonable measures to avoid creating dust, and appropriately manage the dust you do produce.

  • Use water sprays, sprinklers, mists, or foams regularly to keep dust particles from being blown into the air. Review your permit or authorization for any specific requirements about the use of dust suppressant.
  • Cover dust sources in impermeable materials, such as roofing shingles, wettened tire chips, or housing if appropriate.

Practice Good Housekeeping

Stay organized and tidy to reduce the risk of pollution. Examples:

  • Conducting equipment maintenance and repair in designated areas
  • Maintaining waste receptacles at convenient locations and collecting waste regularly
  • Securely storing chemicals, paints, solvents, fertilizers, and other potentially toxic or hazardous materials
  • Adequately maintaining sanitary facilities
  • Designating fuel dispensing areas equipped with spill kits

Select Appropriate Equipment

  • Use fuel-efficient and appropriately-sized equipment to reduce emissions, operation time, and the overall amount of dust you produce.
  • If your APO includes a rock crusher (or associated equipment), spraying water on it can help suppress dust; be sure you have spray bars installed at the inlet and outlet, at all shaker screens, and at all material transfer points.

Conduct Regular Street Cleaning

Regularly sweep or clean the site entrance, the public roadway fronting the site, and any paved roads on the site. This will reduce the amount of dust and sediment carried away in stormwater runoff.

Site Physical Features

Be mindful of how an APO site’s design, layout, or development can make it easier to protect the environment throughout its life and after closing. For example, an APO’s active operations could occur in stages around the site to allow one area to be stabilized when activities move to the next area. This can leave fewer areas of disturbed earth during the APO’s life, and less work is needed when it’s time for overall closure and final stabilization.

Use Setback Distances and Buffer Zone(s)

The further dust-producing operations are from site boundaries, the less likely they will create a nuisance for any neighbors.

A naturally vegetated or replanted buffer area can help minimize erosion, protect water quality, and reduce the flow and velocity of stormwater runoff. It may also block wind or reduce its speed, lessening the amount of dust blown off-site. In some cases, non-vegetative wind fences can be used to similarly reduce ground level wind velocities.

Vegetated buffer zones are most effective around the perimeter of an APO, or adjacent to sensitive environmental features or urban areas. Consider utilizing a combination of plants that are effective during all seasons.

Use Perimeter Controls

You can manage stormwater discharges by installing and maintaining perimeter controls, such as:

  • Check dams
  • Constructed wetlands
  • Ditches
  • Erosion control blankets
  • French drains
  • Retention basins
  • Silt fences
  • Straw bales
  • Slope drains
  • Riprap outlet protection
  • Berms
  • Dikes or swales

Minimize Sediment Leaving the Site

  • Cover vehicle cargo with tarpaulin, particularly aggregate cargo, to reduce the amount of dust and debris vehicles carry from the site.
  • Install a washing pit or trough before the property exit to reduce the amount of dust and sediment vehicles carry onto public roads. Additional features such as rumble grates or riprap can reduce tracking by dislodging dust or debris from vehicles.

All these methods can control erosion, sediment, and stormwater from the site.

Reduce Dust on Site Haul Roads

  • Temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent haul roads should be designed, constructed, maintained, and treated appropriately for airborne dust generated by traffic.
  • Ensure vehicles are driven at reasonable speeds to reduce dust disturbance.

Stockpiles, Screens, and Conveyors

  • Be sure your stockpiles are only as high as your permit allows.
  • Screens or conveyors longer than 300 feet should be covered.

Spraying water or dust-suppressant chemicals, as appropriate, can also help reduce dust emissions from stockpiles. Again, review your permit or authorization for any specific requirements about the proper use of dust suppressant.

Ponds

  • Ensure any water storage ponds are designed to be large enough and sturdy enough to meet demand. These designs should:
    • Consider accumulation of solids, stormwater runoff, and direct precipitation on the pond surface
    • Include a top freeboard of not less than 2 feet
    • Have side slopes of not more than 3:1 to allow access by a front-end loader to remove accumulated sediment.
  • If a pond is or is proposed to be near any bodies of surface water, additional measures may be effective to protect water quality.
  • Ponds that store certain types of process wastewater may require a protective impermeable liner, such as compacted clay, synthetic material, or concrete. Even if not required, such liners may help ponds contain the liquids they store and prevent contamination of underlying soil and groundwater.
  • Pond designs and installations may be subject to permitting requirements, and they should be certified by a professional licensed by the State of Texas in a field relevant for such features, such as environmental or civil engineering.

Ponds can also aid in water conservation, by collecting water for potential reuse. Please note that water reuse may require specific authorization from TCEQ.

Reducing Wastewater

In some situations, it may be possible to reuse wastewater generated by APO processes instead of consuming additional water resources to achieve the same goal. Such process wastewater may need to be treated or filtered first (e.g., with thickeners, flocculants, filters, settling ponds). Reuse can reduce the amount of wastewater that the APO generates and that it must otherwise dispose of or discharge in a manner authorized by TCEQ.

Protect Groundwater Conditions

Certain APO activities may risk interacting with or contaminating nearby groundwater. To minimize this risk, operators should:

Additional TCEQ Resources

Resources from Other Agencies

TCEQ shares jurisdiction over APO facilities with many other state, federal, and local agencies, and some aspects of APOs are fully governed by other agencies. Concerns about noise and light nuisances may be addressed by your local municipality. Additional resources include: