Big Sky – Off Highway 191 is the old Big Sky Grube, the proposed unity development called Quarry Project. It was the subject of many controversy among activists and environmental groups.
Take a look at the story here:
Big Sky's quarry project promises more residential construction – but lingering concerns
Guy Alsenter is the managing director of Upper Missouri Waterkeepers and has actively campaigned for the health of the river in terms of development.
“When you see algae flowers of neon green and it looks like the day of the Holy Patty in the Gallatin River, why is that a problem? It is a problem because the river is sick and we have to use the same common sense that we use when our children are sick: Feed Junk -Food if you try to heal, ”says Alsenter.
Aster refers to studies that show that the flat groundwater in the area of the Big Sky's Canyon, where the Quarry Project Sectic Systems will drain, is connected to the Gallatin flow, which causes concerns about the deterioration in dirt.
“To bring the septic pollution into the groundwater that comes into the river- it is like a house of cards and it makes no scientific sense, and it certainly does not make common sense. I would argue that it is illegal; It is obliged to say “no” by our decision -makers and elected guides if decisions like the quarry represent a race on the floor for water quality, ”says Alstzer.
The quarry development comprises 135 single -family houses, 130 apartments and business premises. Ninety households have already been approved, while the current environmental assessment focuses on the remaining 45 houses in phase two.
At the end of November 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) published a draft for environmental evaluation for phase 2, a main water extension of the main water and four wastewater treatment systems.
In the November draft of the environmental assessment in November, the DEQ said: “DeQ found no expected essential effects on the surroundings from the proposed drinking water, rainwater and sewage systems.”
I asked DEQ for more information about the evaluation that they answered with a series of comments, including:
“In order to be clear, it is not the role of DeQ to determine whether or in which place a subdivision can be developed. This provision takes place at the local level, in this case through the district. “
According to Alsentzer, the DEQ ignores scientific evidence, which began with the consent of phase 1 by Gallatin County in 2019.
“It is annoying to withstand and say to our chosen officials and our agencies:” Do your job, use well -founded science and use proven technology to protect the things that are important to us. “It is not just the law; it is common sense,” says ASSENTER.
I turned to Scott Altman, one of the quarry developers. He rejected an interview in front of the camera, but gave a long statement.
In summary, according to Altman, the quarry is a sustainable housing estate in Big Sky, which deals with the local lack of housing and at the same time prioritizes environmental responsibility through advanced wastewater treatment, document restrictions to ensure long -term affordability and environmentally friendly landscape design, which were developed in close cooperation with local authorities and the municipality.
Asenter wants to find a balance between river health and Montanans.
“Our way of life is connected by clean, healthy rivers. It must begin with decision -makers that create scientific solutions that protect the river quality. It shouldn't be a race down for new development, ”says Alsentzer.
The DEQ checks more than 700 public comments on the design of the environmental assessment for phase 2 of the quarry project.
Read the complete DEQ instructions below:
“It is important to understand that the review of DEQ is limited to the parts of the project that are under our regulatory authority. This includes the facilities of water, waste water and rainwater. We assure that the construction of these facilities correspond to the Montana statutes, rules and standards. In order to be clear, it is not the role of DeQ to determine whether or in which location a subdivision can be developed. This provision takes place at the local level, in this case from the district. In this phase of the process, DEQ's task is to ensure that the developed institutions correspond to the design standards specified in law, rule and circular. “
Read the complete explanation of the Quarry developer Scott Altman below:
“Big Sky faces a critical lack of workers, and we are proud to be part of the solution with the quarry-a carefully designed development that provides high-quality, accessible apartments and at the same time prioritizes environmental responsibility.
From the beginning we worked closely with the Gallatin County Board of County Commissioners to clear the concerns raised by the community during public hearings. As a development near the river, the Commission challenged us to go beyond the minimum requirements and to implement the best possible environmental solutions for wastewater treatment.
Through this cooperation, we identified an innovative solution that was developed by Septic Net, a company in Butte. The septics system for advanced level 2 deals with the wastewater for the same nitrate removal as the treatment system of the Big Sky Water and the sewage district. The Commission demanded that the quarry to either implement this most modern system or establish a connection to a larger community suit system-and prompted the water quality to remain a top priority.
In addition to our development, we have also taken on a proactive role in improving wastewater management in the entire area of Gallatin Canyon. In cooperation with the Gallatin County Commission and the Big Sky Resort Tax Board, we helped with the start of the Gallatin Canyon County Water and Sewer District. This new district will work to remove aging sewage pits along the river and connect properties to a modern sewage system, which drastically improves the water quality and protects the long -term health of the river. The quarry will play an important role in supporting this initiative.
In addition to its environmental obligations, the quarry should ensure long -term affordability of apartments. In order to maintain the accessibility of the local workforce, we use document restrictions for part of the houses and limit short -term rents to prevent them from being converted into vacation properties. This ensures that the living space we have built will continue to serve the employees and residents of Big Sky in the coming years.
We also take additional steps to reduce our ecological footprint by involving ZERO scaping throughout the development, which minimizes the need for irrigation water. By using locals and drought -resistant plants, the quarry will help maintain water resources and at the same time maintain a natural, aesthetically appealing landscape.
The quarry is more than just a residential project – it is an investment in Big Sky's sustainability. By applying the needs of housing buildings in housing construction and at the same time driving environmental protection, we ensure that Big Sky's workers can live near their work without affecting the integrity of the surrounding ecosystem.
Another indication is the commitment of the community, which was previously available through our claim process. So far, there have been 7 public comments in all the hearings we had in Gallatin County at the level of the local big sky and eleven options at the County Commission level. Together with 2 at the state DEQ level. “