Public meeting Wednesday on gravel mines

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has decided to analyze the cumulative impacts of all the sand and gravel mines in the Flathead.

The agency will hold a public meeting Wednesday, June 21, allowing people to say what they think should be included in the analysis.

There are roughly 120 permitted gravel mines in the valley. They produced about 2.63 million cubic yards of gravel last year, with a dozen firms accounting for 93 percent of that total.

The comprehensive environmental analysis will evaluate the cumulative, regional impacts from existing and proposed gravel mines.

Wednesday's meeting will help the agency determine the scope of the analysis. The intent, according to a department press release, is to "identify major concerns and assess the need for additional mitigation requirements that aren't necessarily addressed during the analysis of individual sand and gravel permits."

The meeting takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Outlaw Hotel.

For those who can't attend, written comment can be submitted to Greg Hallsten, DEQ Director's Office, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT, 59620-0901.

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