The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board (“Board”) convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on December 13, 2016, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson. Mr. Mike Bograd, RPG, chaired the meeting.
The Board approved minutes from the November meeting and the non-controversial actions/ certifications completed by the staff since the November meeting.
Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL
The Board approved issuance of coverage under the AFO General Permit (MSG201908) and issuance of construction under the Storm Water Coverage (MSR107275) for Tommie L. Landrum II Poultry in Jones County. The application proposes six poultry houses and construction activity on twelve acres of disturbed land. Staff stated that upon notification by the Applicant, eleven neighboring property owners submitted letters of objection citing issues including health concerns, the presence of gopher tortoises, and a stream running through the property. Two individuals spoke in opposition and one read a letter from a third individual, who was unable to attend the meeting. Board members posed questions to those in opposition as well as staff concerning notification issues; buffer area; doctor’s letter confirming health problems; disposal of litter and dead birds. Because the facility’s application is complete and the Applicant is in compliance, MDEQ staff recommended issuance of the Permit. After the vote, Mr. Roy Furrh, MDEQ General Counsel, advised those in opposition that they may request an Evidentiary Hearing on the matter.
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
In accordance with MDEQ staff recommendations, the Board approved the following surface mining bond release:
Surface Mining Bond Release:
| Permittee | County | Permit | Staff Recommendation |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Hinds | PIS-017 | Initial 90% |
| Baldwin Sand & Gravel | Monroe | P92-098AA | Final 60% |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Harrison | P03-030 | Initial 90% |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Harrison | P02-018 | Final 10% |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Marion | P08-013 | Final 10% |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Marion | P08-018 | Final 10% |
| T. L. Wallace Construction, Inc. | Marion | P08-021 | Final 10% |
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Roy Furrh, MDEQ General Counsel, thanked the Board for completing the forms recently required by the Department of Interior – Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation
Mr. Furrh also reminded the Board that the Evidentiary Hearing for Drying Facility Asset Holdings, LLC has been scheduled for the March meeting.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on January 10, 2017 at 9 a.m.