Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972 Marshall, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a revised Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and a draft Above-ground Storage Tank (AST) permit for the proposed Asbury Asphalt Cement Bulk Storage Facility about four miles north of Granite Falls. An EAW for the proposed project was prepared and put on public notice in February 2009 (as the Asbury Bulk Facility). Due to subsequent modifications made by the project proposer related to water use and wastewater disposal, a revised EAW has been prepared and is being re-noticed for review and comment on the modifications. The 30-day public comment period for the revised EAW runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 30, 2009. The public comment period for the draft AST permit runs from Nov. 30, 2009, through Jan. 15, 2010. A public information meeting on the draft AST permit will be held Jan. 7, 2010, at 7 p.m., in the Granite Falls City Council Chambers, 641 Prentice St. The MPCA will provide information about the project's draft AST permit and environmental review staff will be available to answer questions about the EAW. Duininck Inc. proposes to build a storage tank and associated equipment to load, store and unload asphalt cement, with the possible addition of up to three more tanks in the future. The revised EAW includes new information about the installation and use of a well on site, wastewater disposal, and updated information on the air-emissions control system. Copies of the revised EAW are available for review at the MPCA offices in St. Paul, 520 Lafayette Road N.; Willmar, 1601 E. Highway 12; and Marshall, 1420 E. College Drive, Suite 900; and on the Web at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html. Or a copy of the revised EAW may be requested by calling 320-214-3786. Questions about the revised EAW should be directed to Karen Kromar at 651-757-2508 or 800-657-3864. Comments on the EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2009, to Karen Kromar, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN, 55155-4194, or they may be e-mailed to Karen.Kromar@state.mn.us. The MPCA has drafted an AST permit, which includes requirements addressing air emissions, secondary containment, overfill alarms, corrosion protection, and inspection and maintenance of the tank and piping. The draft AST permit is available on theWeb at hhref="/news/. The draft AST permit and permit application will also be available for public inspection and copying from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at MPCA offices in St. Paul, Marshall and Willmar. A copy of the draft AST permit will be mailed to anyone who requests one in writing or by calling the MPCA. For additional information, contact Sandra Johnson at 651-757-2469 (TDD 612/282-5332; outside the Twin Cities metro area,TDD 800-657-3864). Comments on the draft AST permit should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2010, to Sandra Johnson, MPCA, Industrial Division, Land Permits Unit, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194, or they may be e-mailed to Sandra.Johnson@state.mn.us. Comments must include a statement of your interest in the revised EAW or draft AST permit; a statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including references to specific sections; and specific reasons supporting your position. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed, or to decide if additional permit requirements are necessary, or a contested case hearing for the permit is warranted.