HELENA — People living in the Helena Valley will have a chance to weigh in on a DEQ permit for a proposed gravel pit two miles north of Helena.
The 61 and a half-acre site is off Mill Road, just west of McHugh Drive.
Valley Sand and Gravel has requested an open cut mining permit for the site to mine sand and gravel.
Neighbors have expressed concerns over potential noise and the impact on water wells and property values.
The Department of Environmental Quality says it wants to hear from as many people as possible.
The public meeting and open house will be Wednesday, February 12th at Helena Middle School, located at 1025 N. Rodney Street.
Doors open at 5 at night.
The meeting will start with an informal open house.
DEQ scientists will provide a short presentation on the application beginning at six.
The formal public comment period runs from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
DEQ says anyone who wants to speak will be asked to sign up at the door.
They'll be limited to three minutes to give the most number of people the opportunity to speak.
The permit application may be viewed online at https://appecm.mt.gov/PerceptiveDEQOpencutSearch/ by entering “3088” in the “Opencut #” box and clicking the “Submit” button.
DEQ must assess the application under a tight timeframe and is seeking relevant information from citizens with knowledge of local conditions.
If comments received reveal substantial issues not adequately satisfied in the proposed Plan of Operation, DEQ may determine an extended review of the application is necessary.
DEQ must make this determination by Feb. 26, 2020. Therefore, we recommend that interested persons submit written comments before Feb. 21, 2020, to allow time for evaluation.
After the public meeting, written comments may be submitted by email using the “Public Comment for Valley Sand and Gravel, LLC— McHugh 2” link under “Opencut News” at http://deq.mt.gov/Mining/Opencut,
or by U.S. Mail addressed to the
DEQ Opencut Mining Section
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the public meeting and/or provide public comments.
If you require an accommodation, please contact the DEQ Opencut Section at 406-444-4970 or by email at: DEQOpencut@mt.gov
