Pacific Steel proposes ASR landfill in Montana

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has published a draft environmental assessment for an application from Pacific Steel and Recycling, Great Falls, Montana, for the construction of a Class II landfill for auto shredder residue in Yellowstone County.

The proposal includes approximately 90 acres within 320 acres of private property located at the corner of U.S. Highway 87 and Shepard Acton Road, 6 miles west of Shepherd, Montana, and 7 miles north of Billings, Montana. 

In the application, Pacific Steel and Recycling proposes to landfill approximately 25,000 tons of auto shredder residue, or ASR, per year from its Billings recycling facility.

ASR typically is made up of rubber, wood, plastics, textiles, metals and other materials, such as paint and glass.

The DEQ reviews and licenses solid waste management facilities and assesses applications according to the requirements in state administrative rules. These requirements include groundwater monitoring, stormwater controls and operational standards. The application review and permitting process ensures that projects are protective of human health and the environment.

The DEQ prepared the draft environmental assessment in compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act to analyze the potential impacts of the proposal. There is a 10-day public comment period following the publication of the draft EA, after which DEQ will review comments and make a final decision on the application. Public comment closes Oct. 30, and comments can be submitted electronically or by mail. 

To view the draft EA and application, or to submit a comment, visit the DEQ website.