Draft environmental impact statement for the Holcim (US) Inc., tire burning proposal

2006·1.7 MB·English

by  Montana.Dept. of Environmental Quality

July 2006
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CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................1
Purpose and Benefits...............................................................................................................................................2
Issues Identified During Scoping............................................................................................................................2
Alternatives...............................................................................................................................................................2
Alternatives Considered and Eliminated...................................................................................................................2
No Action Alternative...............................................................................................................................................2
Selected Alternative..................................................................................................................................................2
Rationale...................................................................................................................................................................3
Affected Environment..............................................................................................................................................3
Impacts of the Selected Alternative........................................................................................................................4
Air Quality................................................................................................................................................................4
Human Health Risk Assessment...............................................................................................................................4
Ecological Risk Assessment......................................................................................................................................4
Land Use...................................................................................................................................................................5
Socioeconomics.........................................................................................................................................................5
Property Values.........................................................................................................................................................5
Cumulative Impacts.................................................................................................................................................6
Compliance with Air Quality Standards....................................................................................................................6
Cumulative Impacts for Risk Assessment.................................................................................................................6
Human Health Effects...............................................................................................................................................6
Land Use...................................................................................................................................................................6
Transportation...........................................................................................................................................................7
Water, Soil, and Wildlife...........................................................................................................................................7
Conclusions...............................................................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND BENEFITS 1
1.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1
1.2 History of Application Review and Need for EIS...................................................................................3
1.3 Proposed Agency Action...........................................................................................................................3
1.4 Existing Operations...................................................................................................................................4
1.5 Proposed Changes to Use Tires as Fuel...................................................................................................4
1.6 Purpose and Benefits.................................................................................................................................4
1.7 Regulatory Requirements and Health Guidelines..................................................................................6
1.7.1 Regulatory Requirements...........................................................................................................................6
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TABLE 1.7-1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OF EPA AND STATE OF MONTANA 7
1.7.2 Health Risk Assessment Guidelines...........................................................................................................7
1.8 Public Participation...................................................................................................................................9
1.9 Issues to be Addressed...............................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES 1
2.1 Overview.....................................................................................................................................................1
2.2 Existing Facilities and Operations............................................................................................................1
2.3 Proposed Action.........................................................................................................................................4
2.3.1 Project Facilities.........................................................................................................................................7
2.3.2 System Design............................................................................................................................................8
2.3.3 Material Handling.......................................................................................................................................9
2.3.4 Construction.............................................................................................................................................10
2.3.5 Mitigation Measures.................................................................................................................................11
2.4 Alternatives Considered and Eliminated...............................................................................................11
2.4.1 Fuels.........................................................................................................................................................12
2.4.2 Conversion from Wet to Dry Kiln............................................................................................................12
2.4.3 Off-Site Tire Storage................................................................................................................................14
2.4.4 Reduction in Percentage of Tires Used....................................................................................................14
2.5 Alternatives to the Proposed Action.......................................................................................................17
2.5.1 No Action Alternative..............................................................................................................................17
2.6 Comparison of Alternatives....................................................................................................................17
2.7 Selected Alternative.................................................................................................................................17
2.7.1 Rationale...................................................................................................................................................17
CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 1
3.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1
3.2 Air Quality..................................................................................................................................................1
3.2.1 Inventory Methods...........................................................................................................................................2
3.2.2 Inventory Results........................................................................................................................................2
TABLE 3.2-3 MONTANA AND NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS 10
TABLE 3.2-4 GALLATIN VALLEY 24-HOUR AVERAGE PM PARTICULATE MONITORING DATA
10
(µG/M3) 12
TABLE 3.2-5 GALLATIN COUNTY INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS SOURCES 13
TABLE 3.2-6 BASELINE POTENTIAL ANNUAL KILN EMISSIONS 14
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TABLE 3.2-7 BASELINE POTENTIAL ANNUAL KILN HAP EMISSIONS 15
TABLE 3.2-8. HOLCIM 2004-2005 KILN UPSETS ON A PERCENTAGE OF OPERATING TIME BASIS
23
3.3 Soils...........................................................................................................................................................24
3.3.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................24
3.3.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................24
TABLE 3.3-1 SOILS ON INTERMEDIATE TERRACES AND FANS 25
TABLE 3.3-2 SOILS ON HIGH TERRACES AND FANS 26
TABLE 3.3-3 SOILS ON MOUNTAINOUS UPLANDS 26
TABLE 3.3-4 SOILS WITHIN 10-KM (6.2 MI) RADIUS OF TRIDENT PLANT 27
TABLE 3.3-5 REGIONAL PRIME FARMLAND ACREAGE (WITHIN 50 KM [31.06 MILES]) OF
TRIDENT 28
3.4 Water Resources......................................................................................................................................28
3.4.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................29
3.4.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................29
TABLE 3.4-1 HYDROGRAPHY 29
TABLE 3.4-2 DRAINAGE AREA FOR MISSOURI RIVER HEADWATERS 30
FIGURE 3.4-1 HYDROGRAPH FOR MISSOURI RIVER HEADWATERS 31
TABLE 3.4-3 AREA STREAMS OF THE MONTANA 303(D) LIST 33
TABLE 3.4-5 WATER QUALITY AT TOSTON 36
TABLE 3.4-6 GWIC DATABASE WELLS WITHIN 10 KILOMETERS OF TRIDENT, MONTANA 37
TABLE 3.4-7 PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY 38
TABLE 3.4-8 WATER USE 39
TABLE 3.4-9 HOLCIM’S WATER RIGHTS 39
3.5 Wildlife.....................................................................................................................................................39
3.5.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................40
3.5.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................41
TABLE 3.5-1 SPECIES AND HABITAT WITHIN THE TWO STUDY AREAS 42
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TABLE 3.5-2 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES OCCURRING WITHIN 50 KM OF FACILITY 44
3.6 Vegetation and Wetlands........................................................................................................................47
3.6.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................47
3.6.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................47
TABLE 3.6-1 PERCENTAGE OF LAND COVER TYPE IN 50-KM (31.06 MILES) STUDY AREA 48
3.7 Fisheries and Aquatics............................................................................................................................55
3.7.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................55
3.7.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................55
TABLE 3.7-1 FISH PRESENCE ON MAJOR STREAM REACHES WITHIN STUDY AREA 56
TABLE 3.7-2 SPECIAL STATUS FISH SPECIES WITHIN 50-KM (31.06 MILES) STUDY AREA 59
3.8 Land Use...................................................................................................................................................60
3.8.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................61
3.8.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................61
TABLE 3.8-1 LAND OWNERSHIP AND JURISDICTION – 50-KM (31.06 MILES) STUDY AREA 61
TABLE 3.8-2 LAND OWNERSHIP AND JURISDICTION – 10-KM (6.21 MILES) STUDY AREA 62
TABLE 3.8-4 2002 COUNTY ESTIMATES – CROPS PLANTED AND HARVESTED 64
TABLE 3.8-5 2002 COUNTY ESTIMATES –NUMBER OF HEAD OF LIVESTOCK 65
3.9 Transportation and Public Services.......................................................................................................71
3.9.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................71
3.9.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................71
TABLE 3.9-2 LOGAN-TRIDENT ROAD AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC, 1986, 2001, AND 2004 73
3.10 Cultural Resources..................................................................................................................................74
3.10.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................74
3.10.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................75
3.11 Socioeconomics.........................................................................................................................................75
3.11.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................76
3.11.2 Inventory Results......................................................................................................................................76
TABLE 3.11-3 2000-2030 GALLATIN COUNTY FORECASTS 78
TABLE 3.11-4 1990-2000 GALLATIN COUNTY HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS 78
TABLE 3.11-5 2000 GALLATIN COUNTY HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS BY AREA 79
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TABLE 3.11-6 1990-2000 GALLATIN COUNTY FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT BY
INDUSTRY 79
TABLE 3.11-7 1990-2000 GALLATIN COUNTY EARNINGS BY INDUSTRY ($000’S) 80
TABLE 3.11-8 1990 TO 81
2000 GALLATIN COUNTY MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD AND PER CAPITA INCOME 81
TABLE 3.11-9 1990 TO 2000 GALLATIN COUNTY HOUSEHOLD INCOME DISTRIBUTION 82
CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 1
4.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1
4.2 Air Quality..................................................................................................................................................1
4.2.1 Methods......................................................................................................................................................1
4.2.2 Impacts of the No-Action Alternative........................................................................................................2
4.2.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action..................................................................................................................2
TABLE 4.2-1 POTENTIAL ANNUAL KILN CRITERIA POLLUTANT AND CO EMISSIONS 2
2
TABLE 4.2-5 DEMONSTRATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH NAAQS AND MAAQS 9
4.3 Human Health Risk...................................................................................................................................9
4.3.1 Methods....................................................................................................................................................10
4.3.2 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................12
4.3.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................13
HAZARD QUOTIENT = I/RFD 13
WORST-CASE LOCATION RISKS 15
CUMULATIVE CONDITION RISKS FOR NON-INGESTION* PATHWAYS IN VARIOUS
COMMUNITIES 15
MOST LIKELY SCENARIO CUMULATIVE CONDITION RISKS FOR THREE FORKS RESIDENTS 16
CUMULATIVE CONDITION RISK FROM CONSUMPTION OF LOCAL DEER 17
4.4 Ecological Risk.........................................................................................................................................18
4.4.1 Methods....................................................................................................................................................18
4.4.2 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................19
4.4.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................19
TABLE 4.4-1 REPRESENTATIVE TERRESTRIAL SPECIES ANALYZED 22
TABLE 4.4-2 SUMMARY OF ECOLOGICAL HAZARD INDEXES1 23
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4.5 Land Use...................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.1 Methods....................................................................................................................................................24
4.5.2 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................24
4.5.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................24
4.6 Transportation and Public Services.......................................................................................................25
4.6.1 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................25
4.6.2 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................25
4.7 Socioeconomics.........................................................................................................................................27
4.7.1 Inventory Methods....................................................................................................................................27
4.7.2 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................27
4.7.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................27
TABLE 4.7-1 1997 REVENUE GENERATED BY TIRE DISPOSAL AT EXISTING FACILITIES 29
4.8 Property Impact Assessment..................................................................................................................30
4.8.1 Methods....................................................................................................................................................31
4.8.2 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.......................................................................................................33
4.8.3 Impacts of the Proposed Action................................................................................................................33
4.9 Irreversible & Irretrievable Commitment of Resources......................................................................38
4.10 Cumulative Impacts.................................................................................................................................39
AIR RESOURCES CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 39
COMPLIANCE WITH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS 39
TABLE 4.10-1 INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS WITHIN 50 KM OF HOLCIM (TONS PER YEAR) 40
TABLE 4.10-2 IMPACTS OF TIRE BURNING ON AMBIENT CO CONCENTRATIONS 40
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT 40
TABLE 4.10-3 BASELINE AND CUMULATIVE HAP IMPACTS 41
4.10.1 Human Health Effects..............................................................................................................................42
TABLE 4.10-4 CANCER RISKS FOR THE AGGREGATE OF ALL POLLUTANTS FOR VARIOUS
SCENARIOS 44
TABLE 4.10-5 BEFORE AND AFTER ANNUAL APPRECIATION-AVERAGE PRICE OF HOMES SOLD47
4.11 Mitigation Measures................................................................................................................................47
TABLE 4.11-1 CONDITIONS / RESPONSIBLE POLLUTANTS 48
CHAPTER 5 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 1
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5.1 PUBLIC SCOPING...................................................................................................................................1
5.2 Agency Consultation & Coordination......................................................................................................1
5.3 Public Consultation and Coordination....................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 6 LIST OF PREPARERS 1
CHAPTER 7 REFERENCES 1
Chapters 1 and 2......................................................................................................................................................1
Air Resources...........................................................................................................................................................3
Soils 4
Hydrology and Hydrogeology.................................................................................................................................5
Wildlife 6
Vegetation and Wetlands.........................................................................................................................................9
Fisheries and Aquatics.............................................................................................................................................9
Land Use.................................................................................................................................................................10
Transportation and Public Services.....................................................................................................................13
Socioeconomics.......................................................................................................................................................13
Human Health Risk Assessment/Ecological Risk Assessment/Property Impact Assessment..........................14
Parties Interviewed................................................................................................................................................19
CHAPTER 8 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY 1
8.1 ACRONYMS..............................................................................................................................................1
8.2 Glossary......................................................................................................................................................4
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Holcim Tire Burning Proposal Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
Holcim (US) Inc. (Holcim) has proposed to burn whole tires as fuel in its portland cement kiln at
Trident, MT, and has applied for a modification to its air quality permit to allow tire burning and
for a solid waste license to store tires on its property. The Trident plant is in Gallatin County
near the Missouri Headwaters, approximately five miles northeast of Three Forks, MT (Figure
ES-1).
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) prepared a draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS) to explain the proposal, the possible consequences of the proposal, and the
information and decisions involved in addressing the permits Holcim needs to use tires as fuel.

The executive summary provides an overview of the DEIS. Some aspects of the DEIS, such as
the discussions of property values and the human health and ecological risk assessments, are
involved. Members of the public expressed an interest in these issues, so DEQ took special care
to explain them. A list of acronyms has been included to assist readers, along with the names of
DEQ persons who helped prepare the DEIS.
Holcim’s current air quality permit authorizes combustion of up to 100 percent natural gas, 100
percent coal, 100 percent petroleum coke, or any combination of these fuels. Holcim’s primary
objective for seeking a modification of its existing air quality permit is to realize reductions in
fuel and operating costs. The mid-kiln combustion of tires would supplement up to 15 percent of
the required fuel for Holcim’s kiln.

Holcim submitted an application to modify its air quality permit on October 3, 2001. Between
October 2001 and March 2003, DEQ conducted reviews and requested supplemental information
and clarifications from Holcim. On March 24, 2003, DEQ issued a Preliminary Determination
for the modification to the air quality permit and an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to
the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). A public hearing was held in Manhattan, MT,
on April 29, 2003. Numerous comments were received during the public comment period
(March 24 through May 30, 2003). DEQ considered these comments and issued a revised EA on
August 15, 2003. This EIS was prepared to comply with DEQ’s determination that an EIS was
required and with MEPA.
An application to incinerate tires requires DEQ to determine whether the projected emissions and
ambient concentrations from the proposed fuel would constitute no more than a negligible risk to
the public health, safety, and welfare, and to the environment. If DEQ determines that Holcim’s
applications meet the requirements of the Montana’s laws and regulations, the solid waste license
will be issued and the air quality permit will be modified. Conditions may be applied to reduce or
eliminate environmental impacts.
Interested persons should keep in mind that until Holcim can do a “test burn,” the DEQ is relying
on technical information, engineering specifications, and information from other cement plants
that are currently burning tires to project what the emissions will be. This information has
proven to be reliable in the past.
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