Several environmental groups submitted a letter to the state last week requesting a public comment period for Constantine Metal Resources’ revised wastewater management plan, which the company submitted two weeks ago.
The groups also asked the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to make a final decision about its 2019 remand of Constantine’s waste management permit.
“Constantine is seeking approval for a substantially modified wastewater discharge plan that the public has not had an opportunity to review,” the letter reads. “DEC must provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on this plan prior to making a decision that could have very significant consequences for the environment and for the people who live in and rely on the Chilkat River watershed.”
DEC spokesperson Laura Achee said the department is “still reviewing the letter” and wouldn’t have a response before press time.
Two weeks ago a DEC representative told the CVN a public comment period is not required for Constantine’s revised application because the company isn’t seeking a new permit.
The state issued Constantine a waste management permit in 2019 but quickly remanded it for further review. There was a public comment period at the time, before the original permit was issued.
In its revised plan, following the results of groundwater dye tracer studies, Constantine changed the location and length of its wastewater disposal system, added an active water treatment plant and repurposed two settling ponds.