Prepared By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC
The Environmental Practice Group of the Brunini Law Firm publishes a summary of the proceedings of each monthly meeting of the Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board and of the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality. We strive to provide, in a succinct newsletter format, the key points addressed in each meeting that will be of interest to the regulated community in Mississippi.
If you have any questions concerning the content of a newsletter it 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.
Meeting Summary
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Permit Board (Board) convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on March 8, 2016 at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson. Mr. David H. Snodgrass, RPG chaired the meeting. The Board approved minutes from the February Regular meeting along with non-controversial actions/certifications by the staff since the February meeting.
Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
In accordance with MDEQ staff recommendations, the Board approved the following surface mining bond releases.
Surface Mining Bond Releases:
| Permittee | County | Permit | Staff Recommendation |
| Columbus Brick Company | Clay | P94-095 | Initial 60% Release |
| Columbus Brick Company | Clay | P84-005 | Initial 82% Release |
| Talbot Bros. Const. Co. and Talbot Bros. Grading Co. | Grenada | P12-007 | Initial 60% Release |
Surface Mining Permits to Transfer:
| Permittee | County | Permit | Staff Recommendation |
| Kyle M. Mallette (Ms. Haidee Oppie Sheffield, Administrator of Estate) transfer to Jackie L. Richards, Jr. | Jackson | P98-057A | Approved |
| Buford Partners, L.P. transfer to Mississippi Sand Solutions, LLC | Warren | P80-005T2 | Approved |
Surface Mining Permit:
James Matheny, with the Office of Geology presented the Surface Mining Permit Application of Lee Allen and Associates, LLC (Hinds County, Permit Number A1929) to the Permit Board. The Application is a modification/expansion of a previously-exempt 4 acre surface mine and proposes to open pit mine 50 acres to a total depth of 10 feet for borrow material. There were two Visitors from the Presidential Hills Subdivision who spoke in opposition.
Board members posed questions on several potential issues including (but not limited to):
- Zoning;
- Stormwater Permit;
- Buffer Zone;
- Notification of adjoining property owners as well as State and Federal Agencies;
- Environmental Justice;
- Increased drainage into the Bogue Chitto Creek, and
- Reclamation Plan
The Board approved a motion to continue the matter until the Applicant submits documentation from the City of Jackson that the subject property is properly zoned for a surface mine and also submits a more detailed engineering analysis as to the runoff rates, stormwater control and flooding issues.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Roy Furrh, MDEQ Legal Counsel stated that the Star Landing Rubbish Site matter (DeSoto County) will be scheduled for the May 10th or June 14th meeting. He also reminded the Board to file their Statements of Economic Interest.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on April, 2016 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.
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