Some local land owners think that a proposed rock crushing plant to be located just outside of Chalk Mountain is, well, ‘for the birds!’

Somervell County residents Lee Clauser and Charles Brown contacted the Glen Rose Newspaper this week in an effort to raise awareness of what they consider could be detrimental to what is left of an endangered species that calls their property home a few months out of each year. A public notice in the paper and two signs almost hidden along a fence on the north side of Hwy 67 W states an application has been made to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to obtain an air permit.

A Mr. Tommy Davis, dba Slick Machines, of Brownwood, Texas, has applied to the TCEQ for issuance of Air Quality Permit Number 82199L002, which would authorize the change of location of a rock Crushing Facility to 11209 US Hwy 67, Glen Rose, Somervell County. The application states that the facility will emit particulate matter including particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter. But this isn’t what has Clausen and Brown’s feathers ruffled, it’s the fact that if granted the permit and allowed to develop a rock crushing plant, two endangered birds may have no home to fly to in the Spring. An additional concern from the complainants is having to watch their surroundings disappear one truckload at a time and all the noise that would go along with operating such a facility. The Brown’s property is directly adjacent to the proposed site.

The rare Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped vireos are known to have nests in the vicinity of the proposed plant. The population of both birds is declining due to loss of habitat and nest parasitism by cowbirds. Although their ranges overlap, their habitat needs differ: the warbler inhabits mature oak/juniper woodlands, while the vireo prefer scrubby, early successional habitat.

The rare Golden-cheeked Warbler is a small, migratory songbird, 4.5 to 5 inches long, with a wingspan of about 8 inches. The nationally and state endangered birds nest only in central Texas mixed Ashe-juniper and cedar trees in ravines and canyons. They come to Texas in March to nest and raise their young, and leave in July to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. Of the nearly 360 bird species that breed in Texas, the Golden-cheeked Warbler is the only one that nests exclusively in Texas.

Black-capped vireos are a great indicator of overall ecosystem health. If your ranch contains this little bird, you likely have great habitat for white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, Rio Grande turkey, and other various species of wildlife. They are vulnerable to changes in the abundance and quality of its habitat. Habitat may become unsuitable for vireos because of natural plant succession, sustained brood parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird, or because of human activities.

Claussen and Brown, both avid bird enthusiasts and active members of the Chalk Mountain Wildlife Management Association and the Ft. Worth Audubon Society, have worked for a long time to develop and maintain an area inviting to the endangered birds. Fellow bird watchers from all over Texas, and the United States have traveled to the area to try and catch a glimpse of the rare birds. Not only do Claussen and Brown feel that the destruction of the habitat would be an injustice to their feather friends that are fighting for existence, but it would also affect the community as a whole.

"These guests visit the local businesses, stay at local Bed and Breakfasts and generally contribute to the tax base in our community. With the newly introduced Bird Trails from the Texas Parks and Wildlife this will only add to the number of visitors in our area."

Allowing a rock crushing plant to move into the neighborhood would not only result in the destruction and removal of the trees where the birds nest, but this excavation process would diminish the "mountains" that make up the ravines and canyons that the birds prefer.

The Somervell County pair is hustling to gather the necessary ammunition to stop the proposed site. The men have only 30 days from the date the application was printed in a local paper, August 14, 2008, to submit public comments, request a public meeting or request a contested case hearing to the Office of the Chief Clerk.

Habitat loss is often the primary factor threatening a species’ existence, habitat actually used by endangered or threatened animals is subject to protection by the Endangered Species Act (ESA).Habitat modifications that would result in harm to the Golden-cheeked Warbler would be considered a violation by private actions under the ESA.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas ranks sixth in the nation in terms of the number of endangered species living within its borders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required by law to assess periodically the status of America’s endangered species and to report its findings to Congress.

Brown stated that since the birds are considered endangered federally and by the State of Texas, they have obtained assistance from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Texas Parks & Wildlife, both of whom are sending Department Biologists to the area this week to review the habitat vicinity. The men have also solicited the assistance from several other area land owners who have worked to maintain a safe harbor for these threatened songbirds, and they plan to continue to fight in order to protect these vanishing birds and the environment they call home.