City: 'Blasting' signs hinder growth

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) - Along the stretch of Highway 281 north of Marble Falls, you won't find much... save an active underground mine and a few businesses brave enough to be its neighbor.

"(It) makes it look like there's something violent and horrible that's going to happen,” said Sara Dorsey, staring out at one of the mine’s warning signs.

Working at the nearby Exxon station, Dorsey hears drivers discuss the unmistakable markers. It's the word "Blast" that concerns most, and the city of Marble Falls says it's frightening off potential developers.

"It's a deterrent for people trying to buy land here,” said Dorsey. “Why would you want to buy property where it says ‘active blasting?’"

That's why the limestone and mineral mining company, J.M. Huber Corp., is working with the city to replace the signs with a less jarring "No Trespassing" message instead. Despite development, there are people who say the signs were put up for a reason, and any lesser warning could put people at even greater risk.

"’No Trespassing’” makes you feel like you're okay, but you shouldn't be there,” explained Cheyenne Hendricks, who drives the highway daily. “’Blasting’ makes you think that there's a bomb or something. It's scary."

"It's put out there to be scary,” said Debra Beck, “so people would stay out of it, because it's very dangerous."

Officials with the mining company would not speak on camera with Austin News. Though they did not elaborate, they confirmed accidents sparked by trespassers on site, even with the strongly worded signs.

"I think, if they put those “No Trespassing” signs up,” explained Michael Rogers, another driver, “they're just trying to make it seem less scary, trying to hide it."

Dorsey's family owns a ranch just down the road. She said, over the years, she noticed glasses shaking on the shelf.

"If you do feel the blasting,” she said, “it's just a mild shake on the ground. You know, nothing big."

The mining company said the new signs should be in place by the end of the year. In addition to the wording change, the signs will also include a phone number for more information on the blasting area.