State extends comment period on gravel pit proposal in W. Valley

The Daily Inter Lake

The public comment period about the draft environmental assessment for a proposed West Valley gravel pit has been extended through Feb. 17.

The assessment addresses potential impacts from the gravel mine, which is proposed near the intersection of Farm to Market Road and Church Drive.

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment approved a conditional-use permit for a 320-acre gravel pit at this location last year.

Schellinger Construction is now seeking a state permit for the initial, 40-acre phase of that project. The company is proposing to mine, crush and transport roughly 1.5 million cubic yards of sand and gravel during a 10-year period.

Copies of the draft assessment are available on the DEQ's Web site at www.deq.mt.gov/ea/opencut.asp.

Written comments can be mailed to Department of Environmental Quality, Industrial and Energy Minerals Bureau, 109 Cooperative Way, Suite 105, Kalispell MT 59901, or faxed to 755-8977. Comments can be made by phone by calling the office at 755-8985.

Comments also can be e-mailed to rsamdahl@mt.gov.