This bill would enact an annual permit fee for gravel pits. Currently a lot of these pits stay open indefinitely though they’re not being mined. The fee would establish an FTE to review reclamation (restoration) of the pits. It would also dissuade permit holders from keeping open gravel pits indefinitely as there is currently no fee, thus little motivation to close it. DEQ has been working with MACo and the contractors' association on the bill since there are both private and publicly owned pits. The bill does not weaken review or reclamation requirements. From a water quality standpoint, I’d recommend supporting the bill.
Per Travis Ross:
ReplyDeleteThis bill would enact an annual permit fee for gravel pits. Currently a lot of these pits stay open indefinitely though they’re not being mined. The fee would establish an FTE to review reclamation (restoration) of the pits. It would also dissuade permit holders from keeping open gravel pits indefinitely as there is currently no fee, thus little motivation to close it. DEQ has been working with MACo and the contractors' association on the bill since there are both private and publicly owned pits. The bill does not weaken review or reclamation requirements. From a water quality standpoint, I’d recommend supporting the bill.