Quarries; Environmental Management Department prohibited form issuing permits under certain circumstances; procedures for local government approval provided; advisory boards provided for

HB 578 requires local governments to approve new quarry projects before the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) can issue permits, shifting approval authority from the state to local authorities. The bill mandates that local governments review specific documents - including a traffic impact study, reclamation plan, and community advisory plan - and hold a public hearing before granting approval. After approval, local governments must establish an advisory board of residents and business owners to monitor the quarry's ongoing impact on the community. This directly affects quarry operators (who must seek local approval), local governments (who must review applications and hold hearings), and nearby residents (who gain input through public hearings and advisory boards).