NEWS RELEASE
February 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111
Public Hearing Planned on Thurston County Asphalt Plant
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) works closely with businesses within its jurisdiction to ensure air quality concerns are addressed as businesses grow and develop. ORCAA also encourages public involvement in the permitting process. Toward that end, a public hearing is scheduled for March 20 in Lacey regarding a permit application from Lakeside Industries, Inc (Lakeside) to establish a new hot-mix asphalt plant in Thurston County.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the City of Lacey Council Chambers at Lacey City Hall. As the administrator of state and federal clean air laws within the six counties of its jurisdiction, ORCAA's approval is required in advance for installation, modification or construction of businesses that may emit air pollutants. Lakeside proposes to establish the new hot mix asphalt plant within the existing Holroyd Company Nisqually gravel mine off Durgin Road in Thurston County.
The plant will be capable of producing up to 400 tons per hour of hot mix asphalt product and will emit air pollution including combustion byproducts, particulate matter and various toxic air pollutants. Proposed air pollution controls and enforceable conditions of approval imposed by ORCAA on the plant will limit emissions to less than 100 tons per year for any single air pollutant. ORCAA's Preliminary Determination to conditionally approve Lakeside's project is based on the finding that the plant will comply with all applicable air regulations and standards. ORCAA assessed air quality implications of air emissions from the proposed new plant and concluded that compliance with applicable air regulations and standards is likely. On this basis, ORCAA recommends conditional approval.
The permitting process administered by ORCAA includes providing public notices and opportunities for public comment on permit applications. Anyone interested viewing the permit application may visit the ORCAA Web site at www.ORCAA.org and click on the "Public Notices" button on the right side of the page. This leads to a page devoted to all actions open for public comment and to all scheduled Public Hearings. For more information, or answers to specific questions call (360) 586-1044.
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The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.