Published: June 11, 2019 |

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A controversial proposal to create a gravel mine on land adjacent to the Yellowstone River on the edge of Billings is now in the hands of state regulators, who will give the project a public hearing later this month.

The proposed gravel mine would span 109 acres on private land formerly known as “Oscar’s Dreamland,” at the end of Wise Lane southwest of city limits.

Nearby residents have criticized the plan, however, arguing the amount of noise, dust and truck traffic expected from the mining and gravel-crushing operations are not compatible with the area’s growing residential footprint. They have also raised concerns of the gravel pit’s potential impact to groundwater and to the nearby river.

Billings-based FirstMark Materials, which would operate the mine, submitted its application to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in April. DEQ spokesman Paul Driscoll said Tuesday the agency will hold a public meeting on the proposal Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Big Horn Resort, 1801 Majestic Lane.

The hearing will include an “open house” format, with representatives from the DEQ and other agencies available to answer questions from the public, Driscoll said. That will be followed by a presentation, and a question-and-answer session during which residents can also provide public comments on the project.

There is no end to the public-comment period, Driscoll said, but recommended those comments be submitted by July 1. The agency must make a determination to either approve the project, require the applicant to submit more information or extend the process by July 9.

“We accept comments throughout the process. There’s really no closure on the comment opportunity,” Driscoll said.

Earlier this year, the Yellowstone County Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the mine to include 35 acres of land that is zoned for agricultural use. The remaining portion is unzoned and does not require county approval.

The project has generated fierce local opposition, however, and county residents packed the commissioners’ Feb. 5 public hearing on the proposed conditional use to condemn the proposal. Representatives from FirstMark and the family that owns the property have said the neighbors’ fears are overblown.

Public comments can be submitted to DEQ at deq.mt.gov/Land/opencut under “Firstmark Materials-Oscar’s Site Gravel Pit”

Source: Billings Gazette

To stop by FirstMark’s website, CLICK HERE

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