Parley’s Canyon: Environmental groups and concerned residents will attend a public hearing to voice their opposition
DAQ has issued an ITA (Intent to Approve) to Granite Construction for new mine in Parley’s Canyon despite overwhelming opposition from the public and local officials
Environmental groups and concerned residents will attend a public hearing to voice their opposition
(Salt Lake City / Millcreek)—Despite widespread public opposition, the Utah Division of Air Quality announced it intends to issue an air quality permit for a new proposed limestone quarry/gravel pit in the heart of Parley’s Canyon. The mine has been vigorously contested by the public for over 4 years, with an opposition petition protest gathering over 27,000 signatures. City and county officials and environmental and public health groups see this looming approval as the consequence of terribly weak Utah mining laws, and an egregious example of state government serving corporate special interests instead of the public interest.
Granite has been clear from the beginning that they intend to carve a massive mine of 635 acres or more in the middle of Parley’s Canyon and this application is a clear gaming of the system to ultimately get that enormous mine. Applying first for a six acre “mini-mine” allows Granite to get their foot in the door and then exploit state law to get the rest of it.
WHAT:
The Division of Air Quality will hold a public hearing for its Intent to approve a new mining permit in Parley’s Canyon
WHEN:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
WHERE:
Millcreek City Hall, located at 1330 East Chambers Ave., Millcreek, UT 84106.
Grandview Room on the sixth floor.
Dr. Brian Moench, President of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment said, “If this mine is allowed to happen, it would be the definitive poster child of a state government that has utterly failed its citizens. No one should be fooled by Granite strategy. By applying for only a six acre “mini mine,” Granite’s intends to evade the kind of air quality scrutiny that would almost certainly prevent such an enormous mine, and then exploit state law passed last year for the gravel industry that would prevent anyone from stopping them expanding to the rest of the 635 acres and beyond.”
Images of the newly constructed “road to nowhere”
Fugitive dust coming off of the Kilgore Mine in Parley’s Canyon
“The I-80 South Quarry in Parley’s Canyon must be stopped. Our current mining laws and regulations are not balanced or sensible from the standpoint of public health and safety or in protecting and preserving the environment. The Utah Division of Air Quality and other state agencies must look first toward the public and the environment. They must focus on policies and decisions that prioritize public health, environmental preservation, and the well-being of communities over financial gains and big industry in the name of growth.” said Andrew Smith of SaveParleys.org.
“Once Granite has their air quality permit for a six acre mine, there will be increased potential for expansion. They will claim sunk costs, and continue growing their footprint. They have already shown this eagerness by building a road to nowhere – cutting through forest and habitat to build an access point for their would-be investment. This is a classic example of a trojan horse project, irresponsibly and inappropriately segmenting their larger project to bypass local authority and environmental quality regulations.” says Jack Stauss of Save Our Canyons
Over the years our legislature has helped the mining industry keep Utah’s mining laws extraordinarily weak, keeping the public and our environment virtually unprotected. Parley’s Canyon provides critical watershed, recreation, wildlife habitat, Gateway to the upcoming Olympics and natural beauty all of which has far more economic value than a gravel pit.
FAILURE TO STOP THIS MINE WOULD MEAN STATE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED ITS MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY – PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.
BACKGROUND:
On August 8, 2025, Granite Construction submitted a “New Source Review Notice of Intention” (NSR NOI) to the Utah Division of Air Quality for a permit to generate air pollution from what they are now saying will be a 6-acre operation at the proposed I-80 South Quarry in Parleys Canyon.
Granite using gaps in the regulatory process to obscure their plans and incrementally develop a large gravel pit that would not be allowed if they were forced to be transparent about their intentions
● This unexpected “start over” occurred nearly three years after Granite sought simultaneous permits for a 20 acre quarry/mine and 635 acre mine. The division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (DOGM) ruled against simultaneous applications.
● Granite was very clear in their initial hearings before DOGM that their long-term intention is to develop a 635 acre quarry in Parleys Canyon, many times larger than the current Harper’s quarry on the north side of I-80 The property owner helping Granite, Jesse Lassley, owns other parcels in the canyon such that the mine could eventually even exceed 635 acres.
● Granite has spent significant money this winter carving a huge scar in the mountain for a frontage road to the proposed quarry site, despite the fact that Salt Lake County has indicated that the 635 acre parcel of property is not eligible for a condition use permit to develop a quarry.
● The property owner has challenged the County’s determination in Third District Court and recently filed a motion to extend discovery in the case and postpone scheduling the trial until March 7, the day after the legislature adjourns.
● HB 355, passed during the last legislative session, prohibits a local government from denying the expansion of an existing gravel pit onto property they already own. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Casey Snider, said on the floor of the House that HB 355 was explicitly not intended to create an option for Granite to develop the gravel pit in Parleys Canyon.
More information:
Parley’s Canyon is the iconic eastern gateway to our capital city. Persistent canyon winds and weak state laws combine to doom dust suppression efforts at the existing Parley’s mine. At the much larger proposed new mine, the effort would still require 200,000-1,000,000 gallons of water per acre of disturbed land per year. The hundreds of thousands of people living downwind of the mouth of the canyon would be put directly at risk from this new pollution source in the canyon. Significant canyon watershed would be destroyed and water quality in Parley’s creek and two nearby reservoirs would be degraded. The mine would be a high risk for causing a catastrophic wildfire.
THIS PROJECT IS TOO RISKY FOR A COMPANY WITH A HISTORY OF NON-COMPLIANCE
● Granite has violated at least 46 environmental rules or regulations at federal, state and local levels relating to air pollution, failing to control fugitive dust, hazardous waste, operating without a permit, violating air quality standards, violating the Clean Water Act and water pollution
● Granite’s history of violating environmental regulations is especially ominous in light of the dire state of Utah’s water shortage and existing air pollution burden.
More information at: https://www.saveparleys.org/
From DAQ’s public posting:
Company Name: Granite Construction Company
Location: Granite Construction Company – I-80 South Quarry – Off Exit 132, Ranch Exit of Interstate I-80, East of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT
Project Description: The Granite Construction Company (GCC) has requested to operate an aggregate mining facility at its I-80 South Quarry in Salt Lake County. The facility will consist of aggregate mining, crushing, and screening operations. GCC will operate crushers, diesel generators, conveyors, a feeder, and a screen at this location. The facility will be a new minor source of PM, NOx, CO, SO₂, VOCs, and HAPs. It will be located in an area designated as maintenance for PM₂.₅, as well as nonattainment for ozone and SO₂.