The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published a final Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the proposed construction of a landfill for auto shredder residue (ASR) to be located at the corner of U.S. Highway 87 and Shepard Acton Road, 6 miles west of Shepherd and 7 miles north of Billings in Yellowstone County, Mont.
Pacific Steel and Recycling applied to DEQ for a Solid Waste Management System license to construct and operate the landfill. The proposal includes disposal activities on approximately 90 acres within a 320-acre parcel of private property, with no more than 6.07 acres operating at a given time. Pacific Steel and Recycling proposes to landfill approximately 25,000 tons of ASR per year from their existing auto shredder and recycling facility in Billings. With completion of the final EA, DEQ also approved issuance of a solid waste license for the facility. Construction is proposed to begin in mid-June and wrap up in January 2025.
DEQ reviews applications and licenses solid waste management facilities according to state laws, which include requirements related to siting, construction, operation, maintenance, groundwater monitoring, stormwater controls, and recordkeeping. The application review ensures that licensed facilities are protective of human health and the environment. DEQ is also required to assess potential environmental impacts that may result from the proposed facility under the Montana Environmental Policy Act, also known as MEPA. DEQ prepared a draft EA to document the anticipated impacts of the proposed landfill and accepted public comments on the draft between Oct. 20 and Nov. 30, 2023. A public meeting was held on Nov. 21, 2023, to provide information and answer questions about the proposal. Over 350 comments were received on the proposal and responses to substantive comments are included in the final EA document.
The final EA, application, and supplemental application information are posted on DEQ’s website at: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publicnotices-folder/PacificSteel-solidwaste-06-10-24. A community meeting will be held to provide information on DEQ’s decision. Details of the meeting will follow with at least three weeks advance notice to allow community members to plan to attend.