Who owns the land where the Mine is located?
The State of Montana and its citizens own 160 acres of land on the east side of HWY 287 between Ennis and McAllister Montana where the Mine is located.
Who is the Operator of the Gravel Mine and Asphalt Plant?
A.M. Welles, Inc. is the operator of the Gravel Mine and will be the operator of all other activities that will occur on the site of the Mine, including a potential Asphalt Plant, Concrete Recycling Plant, Asphalt Recycling Plant, Pug Mill, Wash Plant and other associated activities that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has permitted.
Presence of Native Americans and the Bozeman Trail on the Mine Site?
YES
The Bozeman Trail travelled directly through the current Mine Site and proposed expansion area. Additionally, given that the location of the Mine Site is on the banks of the Madison River, it is extremely likely Native Americans inhabited this area.
In a July 24, 1996 memo from DNRC Archeologist Patrick Rennie to Jim Kalitowski (DNRC Unit Manager), Mr. Rennie noted the existence of 40 Cairns on the eastern boundary of the terrace of the Mine. Consequently, he recommended “keeping all ground disturbing activities a minimum of 15 yards back from the terrace containing the area where gravel quarrying is proposed”. He further recommended that “the site should be evaluated if it will be disturbed”.
Despite these recommendations and knowledge, the eastern geologic bench is now permitted to be eliminated without further investigation or discussion.
Will there be an Asphalt Plant on the Mine Site?
YES
DEQ’s permit approves an Asphalt Plant. Please refer to the following sections of the DEQ Permit:
o Section A1 8 (page 3)
o Section D1 – regarding proposed use of water (page 8)
o Section D5 1 (a)(i) - describes the location of the Asphalt Plant on the “North West corner” of the mine (page 14)
o Appendix page entitled “Site Map” of the DEQ Permit shows the location of the Asphalt Plant https://protectthemadisonvalley.org/
Additionally, a representative of A.M. Welles recently confirmed publicly in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and in an interview on KBZK Bozeman that the mine WILL HAVE an Asphalt Plant. https://protectthemadisonvalley.org/press-news
Will there be an Asphalt Recycling and a Concrete Recycling Plant on the Mine Site?
YES
The DEQ permit also approves an Asphalt Recycling Plant and a Concrete Recycling Plant. Please refer to the following sections of the DEQ Permit:
o Section A1 8 (page 3)
o Section D6 (1) (a) – Asphalt Recycling (page 15)
o Section D6 (2) (a) – Concrete Recycling (pages 15 and 16)
o Appendix page entitled “Site Map” of the DEQ Permit shows the location of the Crusher; Concrete Storage and Asphalt Stockpile along with Asphalt Plant
Does the Mine have a Water Rights Permit?
NO
Is the Mine Using Water WITHOUT a Water Rights Permit?
YES
Observations of the mine reveal water being pumped (without a permit)
The DEQ permit specifically addresses the existence and use of water on the site – yet none of the water usage is permitted. Please refer to the following sections of the DEQ Permit:
o Section B5 (1) refers to the existence of a Lake/Pond on the Mine Site (page 4)
o Section D1 (1) refers to the proposed use of water for an Asphalt Plant and a Wash Plant
o Section D5 (1) (c) (i) and (ii) refers to the location of the Wash Plant and the associated settling pond on the “East Side of the pit halfway north/south”
o Section D5 (1) (c) (v) indicates that the source of the Wash Plant water will come from “on-site well or well within 300 feet of the permit boundary” specifically located as indicated on the Site Map in the Appendix of the Permit
How much does A.M. Welles pay the State to lease and exploit 63.2 acres of land on the banks of the Madison River?
The DNRC Aggregate and Rock Mining Permit effective January 1, 2022 (DNRC Permit) specifically states the following economic arrangement for the mining and use of 63.2 acres on the banks of the Madison River:
o Rental: $0 (waived)
o Royalty Payment: $1.50 per cubic yard of “sand and gravel” mined on the site limited to a maximum of 300,000 cubic yards. This Royalty Payment is only due when the “material is taken and removed from the permit area”.
Is the Operator required to post a bond for future reclamation costs and royalties to the State?
NO - this obligation was “waived” in the DNRC Permit
Will Ennis Schools be impacted if the Mine is shut down and reclaimed?
NO
A significant majority of the royalty revenue from the Mine is directed to the Common School Fund supporting grades K-12 for the entire state of Montana. This royalty is distributed across all 149,181 students in Montana, enrolled in 826 schools with a total general fund budget of $1.153 billion in 2020. Consequently, the average annual royalty from this Mine over the past 28 years contributed 0.0027% of the Total General Education Fund or $37/school approximating $0.20/student.
Does Madison County have other sources of sand and gravel besides this mine?
YES
In addition to the DSL Pit Mine, Madison County has 26 other mines and Gallatin County has 41 mines – see the location of the mines on the DEQ website.
How Many People Does the Mine Employ?
Observations of the mine reveal daily employment of approximately one person (possibly two).
Other than sand and gravel exploited on the Mine Site, is A.M. Welles currently permitted to import, process and sell third party material?
NO
HOWEVER, observation of the Mine clearly reveals the import and processing of third-party material.