BLM seeks public comment on proposed Mobile Asphalt Plant near Pinedale
by Bureau of Land Management
May 10, 2012
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office (PFO) is seeking public input for the proposed use of a mobile asphalt plant within the existing Binning sand and gravel operation two miles northwest of Pinedale, Wyoming., on BD Boulevard. An environmental assessment (EA) for the sand and gravel operation was prepared in 2010 but did not consider impacts from an asphalt plant; the BLM will prepare a new EA to analyze the asphalt plant and tier to the 2010 EA.
The mobile asphalt plant would operate during June, July and August of each year and be removed when not in use. The asphalt plant would operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Material hauling may take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend hauling of four to five truck loads. The asphalt plant will not increase truck traffic volume typically associated with the current sand and gravel operation.
The asphalt plant would have the ability to process up to 250 tons of asphalt per hour. Pit mining and crushing activities would use existing equipment and would not occur simultaneously with asphalt plant operations. Depletion of the 39.9 acre Binning sand and gravel mine is expected within seven years; sooner, if the proposed asphalt plant is permitted to use the existing aggregate.
Aggregate collectively refers to sand and gravel that is quarried and crushed. Asphalt is created by mixing 90 percent aggregate with 10 percent bitumen, a tar-like by-product of processing crude oil and petroleum into fuels. The asphalt material is then heated until applied to roads or other paving projects.
The BLM is seeking constructive public comments to help identify potential issues, concerns, ideas, alternatives or mitigation related to the proposed project. Mail or deliver written comments to the PFO, 1625 W. Pine St., P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; fax to 307-367-5329; or email to cetcheve@blm.gov with "Asphalt Plant" in the subject line. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 11.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
For further information, please contact PFO Environmental Protection Specialist Cindi Etcheverry at 307-367-5375.
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