Utah
Utah division approves small mine operation at Parleys Canyon months after county ban
Automobiles drive via Parleys Canyon on I-80 Nov. 29, 2021. A Utah division authorized a plan for a 20-acre mine operation within the space on Monday. (KSL-TV)
Estimated learn time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The combat over mining in Parleys Canyon took one other twist Monday, as Utah officers authorized a plan for “small mining operations” at a proposed quarry — months after Salt Lake County officers handed an ordinance banning mining within the space.
John Baza, director of the Utah Division of Oil, Fuel and Mining, authorized Granite Development’s request to function a mine inside a 20-acre house owned by Tree Farm, LLC, close to Mount Aire, although the corporate should obtain further permits from native and federal businesses earlier than operations can start.
“Previous to commencing mining operations, Granite shall acquire all vital permits and approvals required by county, state and federal regulatory businesses and authorities having jurisdiction over any facet of Granite’s mining operations,” Baza wrote in a 22-page doc, explaining the method, enter and strategies behind the division’s choice.
He additionally wrote that Granite Development is required to make use of “greatest practices” to fence or safe the mining website, put up site visitors indicators, solely blast and excavate throughout sunlight hours, take precautions to “reduce and monitor” seismic disturbance, and adjust to all restrictions imposed by any hearth company throughout a excessive hearth hazard interval.
Baza added that the corporate should “adjust to all different statutes, guidelines, laws, and ordinances relevant to its mining operations,” together with zoning, security, air and water air pollution parts.
Jesse Lassley, Tree Farm’s proprietor, initially filed a request for each a 20-acre and a 600-acre bigger mine at what is named the I-80 South Quarry Undertaking in November 2021. The proposed mine goals to dig for granite, limestone, lure rock and different supplies wanted for building, particularly as Utah’s Wasatch Entrance grows.
The Utah Division of Oil, Fuel and Mining denied the preliminary small operations request weeks later, so it may as a substitute overview the bigger request, which matches via a extra strenuous course of. For example, the division just isn’t required to carry public hearings or settle for public feedback on small mine operations, however that’s required for giant operations.
After an preliminary enchantment of the December 2021 choice, Tree Farm determined to drop its enchantment in March and withdraw its 600-acre mine plan, too, so it may retool its utility. Monday’s ruling got here after Granite Development, which was introduced on to function the mine in January, filed a brand new discover of intention to mine inside a 20-acre plot of the I-80 South Quarry on June 15.
Baza wrote that his choice relies on “findings of reality, conclusions of regulation and evaluation,” additionally noting that Granite Development shall be required to submit a big mine utility and “present further surety to cowl reclamation of the bigger space as a part of the applying course of” sooner or later if it decides to broaden mining operations.
Matt Lusty, a spokesman for Granite Development and the I-80 South Quarry Undertaking applauded the choice in an announcement to KSL.com on Tuesday, saying that the state company “met its statutory obligation” to overview and approve the request.
“Our mining utility has proceeded transparently and in compliance with all related legal guidelines and laws thus far, and can proceed to take action,” his assertion reads, partially, including that the corporate is properly conscious “there shall be ongoing regulatory necessities that we should meet.”
That features approval from Salt Lake County, which authorized an ordinance in April that bans mining and mineral extraction from forestry and recreation zones, equivalent to Parleys Canyon. The ordinance was dropped at the county council after residents and conservation teams spoke out concerning the proposed mine when particulars of it emerged.
“Lively measures are vital to guard our canyon surroundings and protect recreation alternatives,” stated Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, after the council voted on the measure.
A lawyer for Tree Farm argued on the time that the ordinance is “blatantly opposite” to a state regulation that prohibits ordinances that cease operations associated to essential infrastructure supplies. However county attorneys contended that there was “a robust authorized foundation” for the ordinance when the regulation was going via the county course of in February.
The distinction in legal guidelines means Monday’s choice is probably not the ultimate phrase on the matter. Salt Lake County officers didn’t instantly reply to KSL.com’s request for touch upon the ruling Tuesday morning.
In the meantime, the group Save Parleys Canyon, a companion of the nonprofit Save Our Canyons, which additionally opposed mining operations, issued an announcement on its web site blasting the ruling.
“This announcement is in line with our perception for the way abysmal Utah’s legal guidelines and laws are for safeguarding land, air, water, folks and communities,” the assertion reads, partially. “Having one other dusty mine, compounded by a dusty lake mattress, subsequent to probably the most populated area, the business middle of Utah, is inappropriate, harmful, however the epitome of the Utah approach — a scarcity of take care of the folks and locations that make (made) Utah nice.”
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Utah
Utah family creates 'Giving Gallery' to spread joy of art
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — You might have heard of little libraries in neighborhoods, but have you heard of Giving Galleries?
A family in Cottonwood Heights is using their love for art to bring joy to those around them.
On the corner of Promenade and Camino is Abigail Bradshaw.
“I’m standing next to an art gallery, my art gallery. That’s my house,” she proudly said.
Abigail is showing her tiny art gallery filled with pieces made by her family and others who want to contribute. This home used to be her great-grandmother’s.
“She was an artist, and so, I wanted to continue that legacy,” said Katie Bradshaw, Abigail’s mom. They found a box, painted it, propped it up, and filled it with tiny art. Anyone can just look at the art, pick up something they like, or put their own piece inside.
Miles Jacobsen is a friend who saw what the Bradshaws were doing and added his artwork to the box.
For people who want to make their own masterpieces, there is also a box of free art supplies in the gallery box. You can come by to pick up paint, paintbrushes, and tiny canvasses to create your own art, which you can drop off at the “giving gallery” to bring joy to someone else.
“I feel really glad that people come and get some art and put it in there,” said Abigail.
Filling the box is something Katie does with her kids.
“I hope that they can carry this with them, that they continue sharing art, no matter where they are,” she said.
Spreading joy to everyone who walks by, and letting the cycle continue.
“I want them to feel happy and glad that they got some, so they could return some back here,” added Abigail.
Utah
Amid traffic, Utah walked to Leafs’ arena pregame
TORONTO — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night.
The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.”
Several city streets had been closed during the day for an annual Santa Claus parade.
The Maple Leafs earned their fourth consecutive win by defeating Utah 3-2.
The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” highlighting his government’s plan to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation.
It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time.
In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena.
Utah
Utah Highway Patrol responds to your suggestions on making Utah roads safer
SALT LAKE CITY — FOX 13 News is Driven to Change and that includes bringing you reports on important topics like road rage, construction, and wrong-way drivers. During our coverage, we continually ask for any questions or concerns you may have along Utah’s roadways.
The feedback has gotten an enormous response, so FOX 13 sat down with Lieutenant Cameron Roden on Good Day Utah to help address input we have been getting, from the perspective of Utah Highway Patrol.
Speeding in Utah, there’s so much of it, and then you can sometimes say that that leads to tailgating, which may lead to road rage incidents. What are you seeing out there in terms of speed and what can we do to lessen the effects of that?
Lt. Cameron Roden: Speed is our number one thing that we see. That’s our number one traffic stop that we make, and we know that it leads to the majority of crashes in the state of Utah. So we definitely put an emphasis on speed and it does lead to other things. Not just crashes. It leads to road rage and other things .So, as far as what changes can we make, we need to start with ourselves, and really say, ‘Hey, do I have a problem?’ You know, we just need to start with ourselves and not think that it’s something else’s problem. If we slow our speeds ourselves, and then it’ll start to to catch on and people will do that speed limit. So, but the legislature has definitely taken some steps to help us address, especially the the speeds that are those excessive speeds where we have that one zero five law now that addresses those speeds and increases fines and and hopefully discourages people from those extreme speeds.
Some of our viewers talked about maybe capping some of the speed limits for truck drivers. Is that something that’s even feasible?
You know, that would be something that would have to go through that, that legislative process to see whether we that would be something that would help. But ultimately, if we we start with ourselves, hopefully that will make that change and reduce crashes and fatalities.
There are things being done to try and intervene and stop wrong-way drivers before they happen. But some of our viewers propose things like spikes. What are your thoughts on implementing something like that?
We’ve had over the last several years, a rash of wrong-way drivers, and it’ll come in onesie twos, and then we’ll go for a period of time without that. And so, but this spike over the last couple of years has caused us to to create a task force to look at wrongly driving what things can be done. And so getting all these stakeholders together between UDOT and Highway Safety, looking at what technologies and things that could be implemented, and and things like, wrong way detection cameras. Those are some things that are being actually used in the state of Utah right now to help us spot those and and advance signage, getting people to realize they’re going the wrong way and turn around. The the spike strips have actually been talked about in our task force a little bit. And if something like that would even be, it is that technology available right now. And as what we could actually implement in the state of Utah, there’s nothing that really fits the bill right now because of our environment. We have our snow plows. We have snow and things like that. Something like that really wouldn’t be practical right now.
Probably the most talked about topic that we’ve received was distracted driving, texting while driving. You went out, I saw on the UHP social media page, that you guys just driving and you look to your right and left and you can find someone texting. What kind of enforcement do we have against distracted driving specifically on your phone?
This is something that we like you said, we see it every day. We go out to crashes,and and we may suspect that a driver may be distracted. And so, it’s something that’s definitely under-reported. It’s it’s a bigger problem than than the numbers really show.And so not only do we address it during our normal patrols.Our officers are seeing it, and addressing it while they’re out there.But we’ll also do targeted patrols where the highway safety office actually gives out additional funds for that targeted enforcement, where we’ll get an unmarked vehicle. We go out driving down the roads where we try to spot these vehicles and and get them stopped because those are those are a big danger on our roadways where our attention and our focus needs to be on driving.
If you have ideas or suggestions for how to make Utah’s roadways safer click here to be taken to our Driven to Change form. There you can share your ideas or suggestions.
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