The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently released drafts of its long-awaited Environmental Impact Statement and air quality permit to allow Holcim to burn 1.13 million scrap tires and more than 16,000 tons of toxic slag waste annually in its cement kiln in Trident, Montana, at the headwaters of the Missouri River.

“We’re excited that after the years of review and the process we’ve been  through that the draft EIS and permit are out and available for public comment. The process is not complete yet,” Eric Ervin, plant manager of the Trident facility, told reporters during a recent conversation, “but we’re looking forward to participating in the remaining steps, answering and addressing  the questions and concerns that might arise.”