Rutland County Journal
December 31, 2002

OMYA opponents get chance to rebut

FLORENCE — Opponents of a project at OMYA's Florence plant will get to have their say in writing.

The District 1 Environmental Commission held a 10-hour hearing Dec. 18 on the company’s plan to expand tailing storage at the site. A recess order was issued Dec. 23 outlining the future of the permit process.

Tailings are impurities separated from calcium carbonate when it is removed from slurry. A group of Florence residents, Residents Concerned About OMYA, have gained party status and are opposing the application, saying they want assurances the project will not contaminate local water.

The vast majority of the testimony at the hearing was from experts brought in by OMYA. The recess order said RCO may submit any arguments or evidence it has against the project to the commission by Jan. 17.