Montana

Pit & Quarry, August, 2004

State officials have approved the expansion of a rock quarry near Emigrant to allow the addition of a concrete mixing plant and an asphalt plant. The Black Diamond Quarry has operated intermittently in Paradise Valley for 70 years, supplying large basalt boulders as well as gravel. Owner John Fanuzzi wants to add the concrete and asphalt operations to meet construction demands in the valley.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality approved the expansions, after performing a brief environmental assessment. DEQ added only one modification to Fanuzzi's plan: It required him to line ponds used in the operation to limit potential for groundwater impacts.