Summary of Meeting Held February 9, 2021
Prepared By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC
The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board (“Board”) convened at 9:00 a.m. on February 9, 2021. This meeting was held through a telephone conference call and the public was invited to listen to the deliberations of the Board. The Board first approved minutes from the previous meeting held on January 12, 2021 and the non-controversial actions/ certifications completed by the staff since the January meeting. Then, following a prepared agenda, the Board considered items as follows:
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
Standard Construction Company, Three Sisters Mine Desoto County, Mississippi
Staff presented the proposed Surface Mining Permit Application (A2043) in conjunction with Consideration of Issuance of Coverage of stormwater Permit (MSR322863) from the Office of Pollution Control. A member of the public spoke in opposition to the project, but after discussion, the Board approved the application.
OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL
VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula Operations, Pascagoula, Jackson County, Mississippi
Staff presented the proposed Reissuance of Air Title V Operating Permit No. 1280-00008. A members of the public spoke in opposition to the project, but after discussion, the Board approved the application. Roy Furrh, MDEQ Legal Counsel noted that anyone in opposition to the approval of an application has 30 days to request an Evidentiary Hearing on the matter.
Other Business
All South Construction Company, Neshoba County, Mississippi
Staff presented the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for consideration regarding the Final Bond Release for Surface Mining Permit No. 99-071A, which memorializes the Permit Board’s decision related to the evidentiary hearing held on November 10, 2020.
Mr. Furrh reminded the Board that the Gold Coast Evidentiary Hearing has been scheduled to be heard after the March Permit Board Meeting.
After the regular Permit Board Meeting, the Evidentiary Hearing for the State Port Authority, Gulfport, (“Port Authority”) Harrison County, Mississippi Water Quality Certification (WQC 2018036) began but was not concluded. Mr. Furrh stated the Port Authority Evidentiary Hearing may be continued the March Permit Board Meeting.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on March 9, 2021, at 9 a.m.
This Newsletter is a publication of the Environmental Practice Group 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.