News Release No. 453

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DENIES
AIR PERMIT FOR QUARRY OPERATION IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY

Volume 33-453

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 1, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has denied an air permit request submitted by the Leo Journagan Construction Company. The application was to construct and operate a crushing plant at the Battlefield quarry site in Christian County. In 1997, the department revoked a permit for Journagan to operate a crushing plant on this site due to monitored exceedances of air quality standards in the area.

"We are denying the air permit application due to the lack of sufficient assurance that the proposed crushing plant would not appreciably affect air quality," said Doyle Childers, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. By Missouri Air Conservation Law, the department is required to verify compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and determine if the proposed source will affect the air quality of the area.

"This is an urban area presenting significant complications," Childers continued. "Further discussions with Journagan did not clarify the matter, therefore, the department is denying the permit."

Particulate matter is very small particles released into the air. When inhaled, these particles can aggravate respiratory illnesses and cause difficulty breathing.

Following Sections 643.075.6 and 621.250.3, Journagan Construction, or any parties adversely affected by this decision, may appeal to have the matter heard by the Administrative Hearing Commission within 30 days of the denial.

Questions and comments regarding this denial or the air pollution permitting process may be sent to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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