Prepared By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC
The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on January 8, 2013, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson. Jan Boyd chaired the meeting attended by all Board members. Minutes from the December meeting were approved, as were all non-controversial permits issued by the staff since the last meeting. Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL
JW Farms (Copiah County)
Issuance of Coverage under the
AFO General Permit MSG201709
The proposed site is located near Hazlehurst, Mississippi. The application is for the construction of six poultry houses for 153,000 broilers. The MDEQ staff received five letters of concern regarding the permit application. The letters were from adjacent landowners and nearby property owners, including a Christmas tree farm, who expressed concern regarding air pollution, odor issues, potential decrease in property value and traffic issues related to the safety of children visiting the nearby Christmas tree farm. MDEQ staff responded to each of these concerns and explained that the agency does not have any authority over the traffic issues. MDEQ staff reported to the Board that the applicant has met all permit requirements, including buffer zones. Following a brief discussion, the Board voted to approve the permit.
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
Surface Mining Application:
Krystal Gravel, Inc.
Copiah A1853
In 2012, this permit application was opposed by a nearby property owner concerned about the environmental impacts from the proposed site, especially on the health of his children. The property owner appeared before the Board in 2012 with a letter from his daughter’s pediatrician to support this position. Today, the property owner returned to inform the Board that he has come to an agreement with the applicant regarding activity at the proposed site. After the Board confirmed that the property owner was “satisfied” with this agreement, the Board voted to approve the permit application by the following margin: 3 Yes; 2 No; 2 Abstain.
Surface Mining Permit to Transfer:
Blackwell Sand Company, Inc.
transfer to Blackwell Sand & Gravel, Inc.
Lauderdale P01-016
Surface Mining Permit to Cancel:
Eutaw Construction Company, Inc.
Marshall P12-023
The surface mining permit to transfer and permit to cancel listed above were approved in accordance with the staff’s recommendation.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on February 12, 2013.
This Newsletter is a publication of the Environmental Department of the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes located in Jackson, Mississippi. This Newsletter is not designed or intended to provide legal or professional advice, as any such advice requires the consideration of the facts of the specific situation.
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