Mine, impact will be topic

NORTH LIMA -- A proposed limestone surface mine in Springfield Township and its potential impact on the Honey Creek watershed will be the focus of a Nov. 1 meeting here.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is hosting the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the South Range Elementary School auditorium, 11836 South Ave., to receive comments on an application submitted by LaFarge North America, Inc. 510 W. Main St., Canfield.
LaFarge is requesting to affect up to 9.9 acres of wetlands and 1,165 linear feet of an unnamed tributary to Honey Creek to allow limestone mining on 118 acres near Petersburg.
Anyone wanting to discharge dredged or fill material to waters in Ohio must first obtain a water quality certification from Ohio EPA and a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The proposed project may result in a change from the current water quality conditions in the Honey Creek watershed, but it cannot violate Ohio's water quality standards, the Ohio EPA said.
The state agency will consider various aspects of the project before deciding to issue or deny a water quality certification.
Comments may be presented at a hearing or submitted in writing to: Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water, Permits Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049. The public comment period ends Nov. 8. LaFarge's application and related materials are available by calling (614) 644-2001.