Friends of the Jocko Actions
Friends of the Jocko’s Comments on the MT DEQ’s Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), prepared by Ferguson Law; and supporting attachments:
- Official EA Comments prepared by Ferguson Law, 2-24-2023 (pdf);
- Exhibit A – Comments on Hydrogeologic and Environmental Resource Information Presented in the Draft EA, HydroSolutions, 2-21, 2023 (pdf);
- Exhibit B – Comments on Air Quality Presented in the Draft EA, HydroSolutions, 2-21, 2023 (pdf);
- Exhibit C – Noise assessment of stone/aggregate mines: six case studies, E.R. Bauer & D.R. Babich (pdf);
- Exhibit D – Traffic Volume Estimates for Project Operational Scenarios (pdf);
- Exhibit E – Email from DEQ Section Supervisor Whitney Bausch to MT DEQ’s Carly Russell, Sept. 30, 2022 (pdf).
Friends of the Jocko’s 2nd set of comments to the MT DEQ, responding to Riverside Contracting’s Amended Permit. Prepared by Ferguson Law, 11-10-22.
Friends of the Jocko’s official comments to the Montana DEQ on Riverside Contracting’s permit, and the DEQ’s handling of the process. Prepared by Ferguson Law, 9-6-2022 (pdf).
Actions
MT DEQ approves the Rehbein Pit, releases a Final EA, and also releases a Revised Permit. April 3rd, 2023
Riverside Contracting’s Amended Permit, received by DEQ on 12-6-2022.
Montana DEQ Second Deficiency Letter to Riverside Contracting, Nov. 22nd, 2022
EWAM and the Garden of 1,000 Buddha’s comments to the MT DEQ about Riverside Contracting’s project, 11-4-22.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes comments to the MT DEQ about Riverside’s permit application, 9-20-22.
Riverside Contracting’s Amended Permit for the asphalt plant & gravel pit, Sept. 21st, 2022. This amended Permit Application is in response to the MT DEQ deficiency letter of 8-17-22.
Montana DEQ Deficiency Letter to Riverside Contracting, Aug. 17th, 2022, detailing what Riverside must do to advance permitting process.
Riverside Contracting Permit Application for Asphalt Plant and Gravel Permit in the Jocko Valley, April 7, 2022 (pdf)
Riverside Contracting letter notifying public if they want to request a public meeting (contains letter, response form and topographic map), – April 28, 2022 (pdf)
HB 599, amending the Montana Open Cut laws, 2021 Montana Legislature (pdf)
Fact Sheets & Handouts
Download Friends of the Jocko information to print, hand out, or post. Read the fact sheets to quickly familiarize yourself with the issues.
- Basic Facts, prepared 9-2-2022 (pdf).
- Permitting Process — a quick guide to how the permitting process works, prepared 9-2-2022 (pdf).
- Full color 8 1/2 x 11″ flyer to download and hand out or post (pdf).
- B&W handbills to print and hand out. 2-up, front and back (pdf).
Links
Montana Constitution, with Right to Clean & Healthful Environment, Right of Participation, and Right to Know.
Guide to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) 2021
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Opencut Mining Program
Montana DEQ Laws and Regulations
Montana Environmental Quality Council’s web resource page on MEPA.
A Citizen’s Guide to Public Participation in Environmental Decisionmaking, 2002 MEPA guide from the MT EQC
Other Organizations involved in similar work
Montana Environmental Information Center
Park County Environmental Council (Livingston & Paradise Valley)
• Proposed Gravel Pit Near Emigrant MT: What You Need to Know. June 11, 2022