The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board (“Board”) convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on January 11, 2017, 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 December meeting and the non-controversial actions/ certifications completed by the staff since the December 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 (MSG201911) and issuance of construction under the Storm Water Coverage (MSR107315) for A’s Farm, LLC, in Walthall County. The application proposes ten poultry houses and construction activity on sixteen acres of disturbed land. Staff stated that upon notification by the Applicant, one neighboring property owner submitted a letter of objection and a local church submitted a signed petition citing issues including health concerns and property values. No one in opposition was present at the meeting. Because the facility’s application is complete and the Applicant is in compliance, MDEQ staff recommended issuance of the Permit.
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 |
| Bellew Sand and Gravel | Forrest | P97-026 | Initial 90% |
| Boydstun Lumber Company | Winston | P87-021 | Initial 90% |
| Boydstun Lumber Company | Winston | P94-027A | Initial 50% |
| Green Brothers Gravel Company, Inc. | Copiah | P09-005A | Final 20% |
| Golden Triangle Sand and Gravel | Lowndes | P89-013T | Initial 90% |
| Golden Triangle Sand and Gravel | Lowndes | P98-041 | Initial 90% |
| Hammett Gravel Company, Inc. | Yazoo | P06-029A | Additional 20% |
| Joe McGee Construction Company, Inc. | Madison | P11-018A | Initial 80% |
| Joe McGee Construction Company, Inc. | DeSoto | P13-003 | Initial 10% |
| Birdsong Construction Company, Inc. | Hinds | P96-066 | Initial 25% |
| Ralph Weldy | Forrest | P94-140A | Initial 90% |
Surface Mining Transfer of Acreage:
The Board approved the transfer of 120 acres in Holmes County from the adjacent mine owned by Baldwin Sand & Gravel (“Baldwin”) to Hammett Gravel Company, Permit P10-020AAA (“Hammett”) increasing Hammett’s permitted acreage from 83.5 acres to 203.5 acres and reducing Baldwin’s permitted acreage from 290 acres to 170 acres.
OTHER BUSINESS
Staff presented and Board approved the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for consideration regarding the issuance and modification of Water Pollution Control Permit to Discharge Wastewater in Accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit No. MS0061751 to Mississippi Power Company, Kemper IGCC Facility (Plant Ratcliffe), Located in Kemper County, MS.
Mr. Roy Furrh, MDEQ Legal Counsel reminded the Permit Board members that they need to file their annual ethics statement.
Mr. Roy Furrh, 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.
Mr. Furrh briefly discussed the suit between West Rankin Utility Authority and the City of Jackson and stated that oral arguments are today before the Rankin County Chancery Court.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on February 14, 2017, at 9 a.m.