A permit for a second quarry near Saxony Lutheran High School has been filed with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, while the public comment period begins today for another quarry proposed near the same area.

Strack Excavating, LLC, is proposing a 76-acre limestone quarry between U.S. 61 and County Road 601, according to an application received by DNR on Oct. 19.

Earlier this month, Heartland Materials submitted plans to DNR for a 161-acre limestone quarry and after reviewing the proposal, DNR is now accepting public comments.

Written comments, requests for an informal public meeting, and/or a formal courtroom hearing may be made through Dec. 2 to the director of the Land Reclamation Program at the Department of Natural Resources.

A site plan for Strack's proposed quarry and the complete permit application for Heartland Materials may be viewed online at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/fruitland.htm.

Look for more on this story later at semissourian.com and in Thursday's Southeast Missourian.