By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Four environmental groups are challenging a mining permit for the company that wants to build the largest cement manufacturing plant in the U.S. south of St. Louis.
The state of Missouri approved the permit earlier this month, allowing Holcim to mine limestone on about 1,600 acres next to the plant in northern Ste. Genevieve County. The environmental groups say mining would damage a biologically diverse area. A statement from Holcim says the company has taken steps to protect the environment and the state has reviewed its plans extensively.
This is the second lawsuit filed in recent weeks by the groups against the project. That lawsuit contends the Corps of Engineers should have ordered a so-called Environmental Impact Statement to measure the effects on such a factory before issuing a different permit.
Holcim still needs an air permit from the state of Missouri before it can start construction.