Gravel-pit measure bites dust

A bill that would have made it harder to prohibit new gravel pits probably died last week in a Montana Legislature committee.

House Bill 557 would have kept local governments from prohibiting new gravel operations anywhere except on property that was located in a residential zoning district and that was taxed as Class 4 residential property.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ralph Heinert, R-Libby.

It was prompted by complaints from agricultural landowners and gravel-pit operators in Flathead County who say county commissioners here misused state statutes to limit mine operations in the West Valley.

After narrowly advancing through the Montana House in February, HB 557 was tabled Friday by the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Gail Abercrombie, a representative of the Montana Contractors Association, said the vote followed party lines, with the committee's five Democrats supporting the decision to table and four Republicans opposing it.

Two last-minute amendments also were defeated, she said. One would have allowed local governments to prohibit gravel pits in residential zoning districts on lots less than 20 acres; the second proposed a 40-acre lot size standard.

It's possible the bill could be revived before the end of the 2007 session. However, that would require a vote to reconsider by the Natural Resources Committee or a majority vote of the full Senate.

Given the Democratic majority in that chamber, Abercrombie said she didn't see much likelihood of that happening.

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com