Comment on DAQ’s decision to approve Parley’s mine

It’s time to step up in the fight against the massive gravel pit and mine at the base of Parley’s Canyon.

An aerial view of the interstate leading into the Parleys Canyon to Park City from downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. A mine so close to communities can only worsen air quality and quality of life for residents.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) released an intent to approve the project. We need your voice now more than ever!

The DAQ director says that state law prevents them from denying the permit, which speaks to the absurdity of how state law coddles the extraction industries to everyone else’s detriment. Granite Construction has a long list of environmental violations, and a mine and gravel pit this close to city limits is sure to worsen air quality for residents in an already vulnerable area.

There are still a few hurdles that have a good chance of stopping the mine, but it is time to start showing public opposition.

There is a 30 day public comment period. Residents can review the Intent to Approve document at the link (scroll down and click “View ITA” next to Granite Construction Company- I-80 South Quarry), and submit comments to John Persons, the DAQ project engineer, at jpersons@utah.gov

Comments should be copied to

DAQ Division Director, Bryce Bird at bbird@utah.gov

Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director, Kim Shelley at kshelley@utah.gov and Governor Cox, using the form at https://cs.utah.gov/s/submit

Please mark your calendars for a public hearing scheduled for Thursday June 22, from 9:00 AM until 6:30 PM in the boardroom of the state office building at 195 North 1950 West in Salt Lake City.

UPHE will continue to share information about the comment and hearing process and updates on the proposal.

A gravel pit and mine in Parley’s Canyon can have several air quality effects, including dust emissions, vehicle exhaust, and potential release of particulate matter and pollutants. In an area with an inversion and elevated air pollution levels, these operations close to local communities are an unnecessary and reckless risk.

Gravel pits and mines involve excavation, blasting, and transportation of materials, which can generate significant amounts of dust. Wind can carry this dust to surrounding areas, potentially causing respiratory problems and reducing air quality. Massive amounts of water are used in an attempt to suppress as much dust as possible. We need to be moving towards water conservation.

Mobile source emissions are one of the leading sources of air pollution along the Wasatch Front. The proposed project in Parley’s increases operation of machinery, trucks, and other vehicles, resulting in even higher emissions of pollutants.