On Monday, March 4, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management announced that it was extending the public comment period for the proposed issuance of the following permits originally publicly noticed on Dec. 1, 2023, having to do with the Belle Mina quarry:
Grayson Carter & Son Contracting, Inc. – Belle Mina Quarry has applied for the issuance of an Air Permit, Air Permit Number 708-0036-X001, that would authorize the construction and operation of a limestone crushing, screening and conveying circuit at a proposed limestone quarry to be located at 7440 Mooresville Road, Belle Mina, AL 35615. Emissions would be minimized by wet suppression. The department has determined that the equipment/operations proposed by the company should be able to meet State and federal air pollution control requirements.Stoned, LLC – Project Crossroads has applied for the issuance of an NPDES Permit, NPDES Permit Number AL0084480, for a proposed limestone quarry and dirt/chert mine to be located at 7440 Mooresville Road, Belle Mina, AL 35615. The permit would limit discharges of treated drainage from the wet and dry preparation limestone quarry, dirt and/or chert mine, and associated areas, discharging to Limestone Creek and an unnamed tributary to Limestone Creek, classified as Fish and Wildlife, in the Tennessee River Basin. The department has tentatively determined that the proposed actions described in this notice are consistent with the Water Quality Program regulations.
The scheduled Joint Air and NPDES Public Hearing will still be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 6 p.m., at the Calhoun Community College – Decatur Campus, Health Sciences Building #2, Room #109 located at 6250 Hwy 31 N, Tanner, AL 35671, as public noticed on Jan. 26, 2024.
Attendance at the public hearing is not necessary in order to have comments included in the public hearing record. Written comments received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22, the close of the extended public comment period, will also be considered and entered into the public hearing record. Commenters should identify the appropriate facility/permit number(s) on the first page of their comments.
The ADEM-Water Division1400 Coliseum Blvd. mailing address is PO Box 301463, 36130-1463. Written statements can also be emailed to water-permits@adem.alabama.gov.
After consideration of all written comments, review of any public hearing record and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act, the federal Clean Air Act, the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, the federal Clean Water Act, and applicable regulations, the department will make a final determination. The department will develop a response to comments for the permit, which will be posted to the Department’s website at http://app.adem.alabama.gov/eFile/. To find the response to comments and final permit determination, you may search by the Air facility number or NPDES permit number shown above.