Time Is Precious

ASMC has the discretion to set the public hearing date. This will be the last chance we get for public concerns to be heard which are to be addressed before the issuance of the permit. It is in our best interest to study this permit and raise all the concerns we can. It was made clear to the director of the ASMC that we needed more time to review the permit and that there were parts missing from the permit. The director himself did not receive the environmental survey until August 7th. We received the disc at the library on the 12th. I believe there are deficiencies in this application.

They have an environmental survey with a stamped approval of minimum impact from the Fish and Wildlife department but we have nothing that indicates other environmental impacts such as noise, and air quality or even what the minimal impact will be. The permit states that this minimal impact will occur if best practices are used yet it does not state what these practices are nor how they will be monitored.

According to SMCRA, we should have 30 days of public review AFTER the permit is complete.

Perhaps we have raised enough concerns for ASMC to give us a little more time.