DEQ Seeks Comment on Opencut Mining Draft Environmental Assessment for the Marvin Rehbein Gravel Pit Site

HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment for an opencut mining permit application to mine gravel on a 157.1-acre site, known as the Marvin Rehbein site, located within the Flathead Reservation near Arlee in Lake County, Mont. The opencut permit application has been submitted by Riverside Contracting, Inc.

“This site has had strong interest from the community,” said Dan Walsh, DEQ’s mining bureau chief. “While DEQ thoroughly reviewed the application to ensure it meets state law and drafted an environmental assessment to disclose the anticipated impacts, DEQ is accepting public comment on the environmental assessment.”

DEQ is accepting public comments on the draft Environmental Assessment until Feb. 24, 2023. Public engagement is important and public comments are the most effective way to provide input. DEQ seeks substantive comments to inform its decision-making. A substantive comment could be one that identifies an issue, alternative or a resource that should be examined further. DEQ does not base its decisions on a count or tally of how many comments are for or against the project or how many times a certain issue or alternative is brought up. Comments may be submitted electronically or by mail. To view the associated documents and submit comment, visit: Opencut Mining Riverside Contracting Inc - Marvin Rehbein - 3415 Accepting Comments for Draft Environmental Assessment | Montana DEQ (mt.gov)

A copy of the draft Environmental Assessment is also available at the Jocko Valley Library.

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Tags: Press Release and Opencut