Utah board upholds strip mine near national park

[Robbien]

Source: Seattle Times

A coal company claimed victory Tuesday when a Utah state board rejected a legal challenge brought by environmental groups that say a proposed strip mine will pollute waterways and kick up dust at Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Utah Board of Oil, Gas & Mining said Alton Coal Development LLC could strip 440 acres of private lands, the start of a project that could take in thousands of acres of surrounding national forest in southern Utah. Alton is seeking federal approval to enlarge the project.

. . .

Bobbi Bryant, owner of the gift and coffee shop Bronco Bobbi's, said she is opposed to the strip mine because the operation would send coal trucks as often as 300 times a day through Panguitch near the park.

"The noise and fumes from the trucks will make traveling to Bryce Canyon less pleasurable and much more dangerous. Most shop, restaurant and motels owners, myself included, will not get as many customers, and we could be faced with closing our business," she said.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2012524823_aputminepermitchallenge.html?syndication=rss

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There is a creek, wet meadows and seeps on the private land Alton wants to mine. This should qualify the land as federally protected wetlands. However, the mining company gave a donation to a state senator's campaign and the mining approval was fast tracked.

[coffeenap]

1. Fuck this! We are going there in three days!

What will humans not ruin??? I can't stand us.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. When you get there, you will know why this is exceedingly sad.

Bryce Canyon is one of the most incredible places I have ever seen. I must go back soon, and I suppose very soon now. I hope they keep up the fight, and win.

[annm4peace]

2. This is very sad!

I hope people have some energy and time left to protest this.

i'm too busy with the anti-war, anti-tortue.. but I care about the environment also.

[Robbien]

3. The people fighting this are the ones who took the case to this court

Even the Feds are not willing to sign off on it.

But the coal company bought off the state politicians and it appears the court is stuffed with pro-corporate judges.

The article says the people will try to see if there is a way to keep fighting it.

[jberryhill]

5. Hey, it's just a strip mine

It's not like they are going to build a mosque there.

[SLCLiberal]

7. Utah

Also often has some of the worst air in the nation too.

[Bette Noir]

6. Damn. I was so pleased when the Obama administration

canceled the oil leases Bush sold near Arches-- now coal is looking to despoil Bryce. Can't we agree to keep our national parks unruined?