Residents speak out against Geneva Rock expansion
Last Friday, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (DOGM) held another hearing on Geneva’s application to expand their gravel operations at the Point of the Mountain. The city of Draper has a lawsuit against the massive mine operator for attempting to evade local laws to do so.
Geneva representatives said at the hearing they believe being in close proximity to the community provides a ‘benefit’ and promised to be a ‘good neighbor.’ Residents weren’t buying it though. Former neighbor, Robert Macfarlane, told DOGM he moved after 20 years because of the dust. Residents should not be forced from their homes.
UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench was quoted in a Fox13 article on the proposed expansion, “Utah’s regulation of mining operations — and that includes gravel pits — is one of the loosest in the nation. State regulations in no way guarantee that this isn’t a public health hazard. In fact, all the evidence suggests that it is a public health hazard and will be into the future if this expansion is approved.”
This issue is more than the threat to the health of residents. Residents should have the right to pass reasonable local ordinances to protect themselves when state laws don’t cut it. Just because an operation doesn’t violate state law or a DAQ permit, doesn’t mean that public health is being protected.
The city of Draper deserves protection from perpetual dust and pollution from mines and gravel pits. Gravel pits are four headed pollution monsters: fugitive dust, crystalline silica, heavy metals, and diesel exhaust. The people of Draper have put up with this long enough. All mines eventually come to an end, it’s time for Geneva to clean up their mess at the Point of the Mountain and move on to their 16 other locations on the Wasatch Front.
Lawmakers acknowledge the looming public health disaster of Great Salt Lake becoming a gigantic dust bowl, exactly what Geneva operations are. The city of Draper already faces the public health hazard we are worried about Great Salt Lake causing, including some of the same toxic heavy metals, like arsenic.
