Prepared By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC
The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board (“Board”) convened its regular monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on July 10, 2018, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, in Jackson. James Hoffmann chaired the meeting.
The Board approved minutes from the June meeting and the non-controversial actions/ certifications completed by the staff since the June meeting.
Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL
401/Stormwater Branch
Mississippi Export Railroad Company, Helena Industrial Park: Issuance of Coverage under Large Construction Storm Water Permit (MSR107720) and Mississippi Export Railroad Company, Sidings near Carters Road: Issuance of 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC20180012), Jackson County.
Staff recommended and Board approved the issuances of Coverage under Large Construction Storm Water Permit and 401 Water Quality Certification to provide additional space along the Applicant’s existing railroad right-of-way. Public notice was issued by MDEQ, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers and adjacent property owners were notified. MDEQ received letters of objection from adjacent property owners and responded to concerns expressed. The Applicant is required to purchase mitigation credits. No one opposing the Application appeared at the meeting.
Waste Division – Solid Waste Permitting Branch
EPD – Water II Branch, Air II Branch, and 401/Stormwater Branch
Quad County Environmental Solutions, LLC, Quad County Landfill: Issuance of Solid Waste Management Permit (SW0470010580); Issuance of NPDES Storm Water Permit (MSS062383) Issuance of Air Permit to Construct (1780-00053; and Issuance of 401 Water quality Certification (WQC2017077), Marshall County.
Quad County Environmental Solutions, LLC submitted applications in connection with its proposal to upgrade and expand the current landfill to include commercial, industrial and institutional waste, but not to include household garbage. A public notice was issued and there was public hearing on the matter. No public comments were received prior to the hearing; however, representatives of Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority and Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Authority expressed concerns during the public hearing. Representatives from Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Authority appeared at the Permit Board meeting. Concerns included the overlapping of proposed service area; demonstration of need; and proper notification for the initial application in approved 2016. After further discussions and presentations from the Applicant and representatives from Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Authority, Staff recommended and Board approved the issuances of the Applications referenced above.
OFFICE OF GEOLOGY
Ron Porter (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 |
A&P Gravel, LLC | Pearl River | P16-020 | Initial 90% |
Hammett Gravel Company, Inc. | Yazoo | P95-048 | No release |
Good Earth Development, Inc., Mark S. Jordan Company | Madison | P06-030 | Initial 90% |
Martin Meadowlands, LLC | Madison | P10-041AA | Final 10% |
OTHER BUSINESS:
- Roy Furrh, MDEQ Legal Counsel, welcomed Mr. Les Herrington, Mississippi Department of Health as the newest member of the MDEQ Permit Board.
- Mr. Furr reported that Staff will present an overview of the Solid Waste application process during the August meeting.
- Additionally, Mr. Furr reported that there are pending requests for Evidentiary Hearings for Le Poultry and for C.F. Gollott and Son; however hearing dates have not been set at this time.
The next Permit Board meeting will be held on August 14, 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.