EGF asphalt plant under review

A subcommittee of the East Grand Forks council has released a series of recommendations for an asphalt plant by R-J Zavoral & Sons near County Road 17 and west of Highway 2.

The subcommittee was formed in response to a July report by the MPCA in regards to an enforcement violation by Zavoral at a pair of portable hot mix plants.

The group is suggesting a five-year probationary period…monthly inspection reports…and annual emission testing. Council member Brian Larson served on the subcommittee.  “We wanted to find a way to instill confidence in our public that this plant will always be operating in environmental compliance.”

The company says the so-called stack testing can only be run when the plant is operating at full capacity – and that’s not always the case.

Mayor Steve Gander says all sides need to work together to ensure compliance.  “We are in a partnership with our residents and businesses in this community.”

The city issued a special use permit for the project back in May.
The council agreed to let the subcommittee fine-tune the agreement before bringing it back for action.