The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board (“Board”) convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on February 13, 2018, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, in Jackson. Dennis Riecke chaired the meeting.
The Board approved minutes from the January meeting and the non-controversial actions/ certifications completed by the staff since the January meeting.
Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL
Waste Division/Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program:
The Board approved the Issuance of Underground Injection Control Permit for Nonhazardous Class I Well (MSI1010) for Injection Disposal Services, LLC of Jackson, MS in Amite County. The required public notices were sent out and no letters of complaint were received. Eight (8) people asked questions during the public meeting and MDEQ issued a response document clarifying points in question. No one appeared at the Permit Board meeting in opposition. Various Board members asked questions about the proposed application which were answered by Mark Williams (Chief MDEQ Solid Waste Division) and by representatives of the Applicant. Because the application is complete, and all requirements met, MDEQ staff recommended issuance of the Permit.
Air Division: Proposed amendments to 11 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 1, Chapter 5. (For information. No action needed)
Chad LaFontaine (MDEQ Office of Pollution Control Air Division) provided information on a public notice for comment on proposed amendments to the Permit Board’s administrative procedure regulations, 11 Mississippi Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 5. The proposed amendments directly align requirements of the Mississippi Environmental Permit Board’s makeup with requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act. This action, in conjunction with actions by the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, will allow EPA to remedy partial-disapprovals of recent state plan submittals to address requirements for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act. The 30-day public comment period began February 2, 2018, and will conclude with a public hearing to be held on March 5, 2018. Following the conclusion of the public participation process, staff intends to bring the proposed amendments to the Permit Board for approval at the March 13, 2018 meeting.
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
James Matheny (MDEQ Office of Geology, Mining and Reclamation) presented the MDEQ Staff’s recommendations and Board approved the following:
Surface Mining Bond Releases
| Permittee | County | Permit | Staff Recommendation |
| Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. | Amite | P94-046 | No release |
| Joe McGee Construction Co., Inc. | Rankin | P14-021 | Initial 90% |
| Joe McGee Construction Co., Inc. | Rankin | P15-001 | Initial 90% |
| Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company | Panola | P89-023T1 | Final 40% |
| Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company | Panola | P94-134T2 | Final 10% |
| Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company | Panola | P01-011 | Final 30% |
Surface Coal Mining Renewal MLMC MS-002 Renewal 3
| Permittee | County | Permit |
| Mississippi Lignite Milling Company | Ackerman | MS-002 |
Surface Mining Permit Modification Reducing Acreage
| Permittee | County | Permit |
| Baldwin Sand and Gravel (The new permit number will be P12-019A | Panola | P12-019 |
OTHER BUSINESS:
James Matheny presented an overview of MDEQ’s surface mining permit application review process wherein he described the responsibilities of MDEQ; the Application review, requirements and inspection process. This presentation was for informational purposes only.
Mr. Roy Furrh, MDEQ Legal Counsel reminded the Permit Board members that they need to complete their annual compliance forms and statement of economic interest forms.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on March 13, 2018, at 9 a.m.
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.
If you have any questions concerning the content of a newsletter, or if you would like further information about the matters addressed in a newsletter, please contact John Milner, the Brunini Firm Environmental Practice Group leader, at jmilner@brunini.com or (601) 960-6842.