Permit For Asphalt Plant To Be Discussed

The public will have an opportunity to learn more about a pending permit for an asphalt plant and rock crusher at the Stratford Road quarry at a public meeting later this month.

The meeting will be held June 17^th in Moses Lake, Wash.

The Washington Department of Ecology heard public concerns about dust coming from the new plant during a 30-day public-comment period that ended on May 29. A spokeswoman for the agency said only two letters were received during the comment period, although there were a total of more than two dozen signatures attached to the letters.

The Department of Ecology is evaluating whether to issue a permanent air-quality permit to allow Central Washington Asphalt Co. to operate the plant. The plant has been operating under a temporary permit for about five year.

At the June 17 meeting, the public will hear brief presentations about the permit and existing air-pollution control systems from Ecology staff and from the project proponent, Central Washington Asphalt.

Most of the time will be dedicated to answering questions from the public.

The permit will be approved if the company meets the criteria set in the permit, which is based on requirements in Washington's Clean Air Act.