February 16, 2018
It seems like every time I turn around, there is a new dig site opening up on FM 1753. In just three short miles, what I’m calling the Dirty and Dangerous Three, there will soon be NINE entrances and exits for the various sand mining companies that are making a killing destroying not just the land, but our community and way of life.
If you haven’t seen it, I suggest you come out and make the drive for yourself. Heading west out of Ravenna on FM 1753, the first company you will encounter is Resolve Aggregates. After that, you will see many entrances and exits for N-Tex Sand and Gravel. Towards the end of the three miles, you will encounter Martin Marietta’s huge entrance/exit. In between all that mess, you will see houses because this isn’t an industrial park, this is a community where people live. Every star on the map below represents an entrance or exit for sand trucks, but keep in mind, Google Maps can’t update fast enough to keep up with the digging being done in this area. Several areas that look untouched in this map are now being dug.
If you do come out and see it for yourself, this is one of the first things you will notice–lots of signs like this:
These signs warn us locals to watch out for the big trucks that are speeding up and down the roads all day long. My question is: where are the signs warning the truck drivers to watch out for those of us who live here? Where are the signs telling them to watch out for the school bus? For the elderly people who have lived here their whole lives? For the families traveling to school and work? For the farmers and ranchers on tractors? The message of who dominates the road is clear.
Speaking of dominating the roads, if you need to travel on the dirty, dangerous three today, expect to be stopped by construction for the entrance for N-Tex’s newest dig site. They have about a quarter mile of the road blocked off for their contraction convey.
If there is sand in your area, be warned that the sand companies will be coming your way sooner or later. I can post pictures, but they don’t really capture the scope of what is happening.
Trucks entering and exiting at Martin Marietta.
Resolve Aggregates’ Entrance. Not too long ago, horses hung out here. Now, only trucks come through.
Goodbye trees, goodbye wildlife, goodbye fields, goodbye cows. N-Tex has more dig sites on 1753 than any other company.
This used to be a beautiful corner with lots of oak trees.
Life on the Dirty and Dangerous Three
Fannin County Sand Mining Report 