Central Wasatch Commission stands against mine in Parley’s
At an October 2nd meeting, the Central Wasatch Commission unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the I-80 South Quarry. The Commission is composed of the mayors of Salt Lake City, Millcreek City, Sandy City, Cottonwood Heights, Alta, Brighton, Park City, and Summit County, powerful voices in the fight to block the mine.
The resolution writes: “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Central Wasatch Commission that the CWC hereby expresses its strong opposition to the proposed Quarry and any other such open-air mine in the Central Wasatch, and encourages all governmental entities with jurisdiction over and input into the approval process for the proposed mine to act in a manner that will preserve and protect the critical resources of the Central Wasatch to the greatest extent legally possible; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Central Wasatch Commission that although population growth along the Wasatch Front will require new sources of raw construction materials, the Board believes that the site selection process for appropriate sources of such materials should be the result of a thorough, thoughtful public planning process that independently evaluates where these materials will be needed and the economic, environmental, public health, and property impacts of the various siting options to minimize or avoid the types of significant negative impacts posed by the proposed Quarry.”
Residents who frequent the canyon often see large plumes of dust coming from the existing mine in the canyon. An additional mine adding more dust to the canyon would be detrimental to residents’ health and safety.
Dust in Parley’s Canyon 
Photo by Troy Davis
A major concern of many opponents, including the commission, is that state regulations don’t require compliance with fugitive dust protocols from gravel pit operators when wind speed exceeds 25 miles per hour. Wind reports for lower Parleys Canyon show that wind speeds in the area exceed 25 miles per hour 40% of the time.
At the meeting, the board also reported that they had requested information from the Utah Department of Air Quality, and the DAQ “decided that it was not appropriate to present” to the commission.
Find the Commission’s meeting minutes here.