Montana Agency Extends Comment Period for Cement Plant

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended the public comment period regarding its preliminary determination and the draft environmental assessment on the air quality permit application as well as the final solid waste environmental assessment for the Holcim Inc. cement manufacturing facility. Comments are now due no later than May 30, 2003.

The Holcim facility, located near Trident, Mt., is proposing to use tires as a supplemental fuel in their cement kiln. The DEQ extended the comment period at the request of the Gallatin City-County Health Department.

“The DEQ feels it is appropriate to extend the comment period to allow the Gallatin City-County Health Department an opportunity to provide their comments,” explained Jan Sensibaugh, the DEQ Director.

The draft air quality permit and the environmental assessment may be viewed at the Department’s website www.deq.state.mt.us . Comments regarding the draft air quality permit and the environmental assessment are due to the DEQ by May 30, 2003 and may be sent to Dave Klemp, DEQ Air and Waste Management Bureau, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901. They may also be faxed to (406) 444-1499 or e-mailed to dklemp@state.mt.us.