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Application filed for a 42 year Bryant River gravel mining permit- comments needed by March 25!An application was filed with Missouri DNR, requesting a permit for a gravel mining operation on Bryant Creek until the year 2050! This is in-bed gravel mining, which has been proven to raise stream temperature and turbidity. comments are being accepted until March 25 (next week!) from anyone with a "direct, personal interest" in this situation. I am not sure how the DNR will define "direct, personal interest". Of course Ozark waterways are of interest to everyone in the Ozarks who cares about clean water, tourism, and the environment we share. Anyone who might want to speak out about this subject might also want to become a "Friend of the Bryant River" this is a grassroots organization that requires no membership dues and will not send you any "junk mail". If you want to be a friend of the Bryant River, send an email to danieleastwind@hotmail.com and I will put you on the list. HERE IS THE NOTICE FROM THE OZARK COUNTY TIMES THIS WEEK: Spring Creek materials, Inc PO BOX 30 West Plains, MO 65775 has applied for a permit from the Dep. of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Commission, to mine sand and gravel on 10 acres of land located in Ozark County. Sections 16 & 21 Township 23 N. Range 12W in Bryant Creek (5 acres, flood plain pit 5 acres) This operation will be conducted during the approximate dates of 1-31-2008 to 1-31-2050 Comments or requests for hearing and /or informal meeting may be made by any person with a direct, personal interest in one or more of the factors that the MO land Reclamation Comission may consider in issuing a permit. send comments to: DIRECTOR / Land Reclamation Program / DNR / PO Box 176 / Jefferson City, MO 65102
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Sample comment letter
Larry Coen, Program Director
Land Reclamation Program
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Phone: 573-751-4041
Fax: 573-751-0534
E-mail: larry.coen@dnr.mo.gov
Mr. Coen,
As you are aware, Spring Creek materials, Inc PO BOX 30 West Plains, MO 65775 has applied for a permit from the Dep. of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Commission, to mine sand and gravel on 10 acres of land located in Ozark County. Sections 16 & 21 Township 23 N. Range 12W in Bryant Creek (5 acres, flood plain pit 5 acres)
This permit should not be granted. Bryant Creek has a high value for recreational uses, including canoeing and fishing. It is also an important source of clean water and a fisheries resource for Lake Norfork and surrounding communities. Any increased turbidity from gravel mining will harm all of these existing uses.
I have personally enjoyed the beauty, clean waters, and peaceful surroundings of this river on several occasions. Any mining activity near the river would have significant adverse impacts on the quality of the water and surrounding environment. Bryant Creek deserves increased protection as part of the Lake Norfork watershed. Gravel Mining should not be allowed on this river.
Sincerely,
Request a hearing!
This reply to my comment came from DNR
Dear Mr. Porter,
The Land Reclamation Program appreciates your concerns with the permit expansion for a new sand and gravel mining site sought after by Spring Creek Materials in Ozark County. We encourage the public to take part in the application process of new gravel mining permits or sites.
We have your comments of concern on file. The staff director of the Land Reclamation Program will take your comments into consideration when making the decision to grant or deny the permit expansion. The department’s Land Reclamation Program can not simply deny this permit application based on requests. The permit application is in compliance with the provisions of The Land Reclamation Act and an application that meets the standards of the Act must be recommended for approval.
As stated in the public notice there is an option for you to request a public meeting or a formal hearing. If either of these requests is desired they must be submitted by the end of the public comment period which is Thursday March 27, 2008. These requests may be submitted by e-mail, facsimile or regular mail. If the company agrees to participate in a public meeting then a meeting will be scheduled.
If a hearing is requested, you must provide evidence that the operation of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If no evidence can be provided the permit expansion will be approved. If you believe that you have credible evidence you may submit a request for a hearing. The hearing request would be presented to the Commission at one of their regularly scheduled meetings. The Land Reclamation Commission meets every two months in Jefferson City, Missouri. As the petitioner, the burden of proof would be on you to prove that operation of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If the evidence is conclusive that your health, safety or livelihood will be unduly impaired, the Commission may grant a hearing.
If you wish to request a public meeting, formal hearing or have any other questions please feel free to contact me by phone at (573) 751-4041, by e-mail at chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov or by mail at MDNR/DEQ/LRP, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 56102-0176.
Chris Thiltgen
Environmental Specialist
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Land Reclamation Program
Telephone: (573) 751-4041
Fax: (573) 751-0534
chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov
Shawn Porter
greensinger@fastmail.fm