State regulators have upheld their tentative approval of expanded strip mining at a tar sands deposit, but with key caveats requiring operators to monitor nearby springs for potential groundwater contamination and submit documentation showing the mine is in compliance with air quality regulations.
The decision issued Friday by Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining director John Baza is a partial victory for environmentalists who contend the PR Spring Mine is hydrologically connected with nearby springs below in the Book Cliffs. Moab-based Living Rivers has long argued the mine would damage springs vital to ranches and wildlife — but to no avail until now.
In past decisions upheld by the Utah Supreme Court, state environmental officials have steadfastly refused to require monitoring. Now the state is showing a change of heart after hearing testimony from a University of Utah geologist two weeks ago.
U. researcher Bill Johnson has published findings this year in a peer-reviewed journal that he says prove the PR Spring Mine would pollute neighboring springs.
"The feedback we received from concerned individuals helped us determine that these two additional amendments were necessary for the expansion to move forward. I believe the direction we've gone helps mitigate their concerns," Baza said in a prepared statement. "We're committed to accessing our state's abundant natural resources in an environmentally responsible manner. To ensure responsible mining at PR Springs, we have asked the mine operator to provide more information."
The mine is already approved to operate on 213 acres on the Uintah-Grand county line on Tavaputs Plateau and is only beginning mine operations. Last year, U.S. Oil Sands submitted a request to expand its mine by 104 acres. Now it has until Nov. 1 to submit monitoring plans that Living Rivers will be helping design. It is barred from processing ore until DOGM approves these plans, according to Baza's order.
Attorneys for the Calgary-based company had argued monitoring would be a waste of time and effort since the ridge-top mine has no connection with any groundwater source and chemicals from the company's process to separate oil from ore wouldn't degrade any groundwater that may be present. Prior findings by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality endorse both claims.
Johnson told Baza that his research shows these two assumptions are "demonstrably incorrect." Mine officials countered that Johnson's findings contained "errors."
bmaffly@sltrib.com
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A small group from Peaceful Uprising, Utah Tar Sand Resistence and concernced citizens read statements and performed a skit with children on the steps of the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources as a security man records them before a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Paul Baker with Utah Minerals Regulatory Program speaks at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A small group from Peaceful Uprising, Utah Tar Sand Resistence and concernced citizens read statements and performed a skit with children on the steps of the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources as a security man records them before a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Citizen looks at map with proposed tar sands mine footprint on the Uintah- Grand County line at a crucial hearing at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Paul Wickelson and his sons Otis, 6, and Lev, 3 performed a skit on the steps of the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources before a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Paul Baker with Utah Minerals Regulatory Program speaks at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Tar sands industry representatives, environmentalists and citizens attend a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City regarding the expansion of the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Shea Wickelson, left, her husband Paul and their son Lev, 3 performed a skit on the steps of the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources before a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune A small group from Peaceful Uprising and Utah Tar Sand Resistence and concernced citizens read statments and performed a skit on the steps of the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources before a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in Salt Lake City.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune John Baza, Director of Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining opens a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City regarding the expansion of the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Attorney John Davis and Barclay Cuthbert-Vice President Operations with U.S. Oil Sands, left, and Rob Dubuc, attorney for Living Rivers and Bill Johnson, Professor of Geology at the University of Utah, right, speak out at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City regarding the expansion of the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Attorney Rob Dubuc, working on behalf of Living Rivers speaks out at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City regarding the expansion of the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Bill Johnson, professor of geology at University of Utah speaks about his water study of the area around the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City. U.S. Oil Sands wants to expand their mining operation.
Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Attorney John Davis and Barclay Cuthbert-Vice President Operations with U.S. Oil Sands, left, and Rob Dubuc, attorney for Living Rivers and Bill Johnson, Professor of Geology at the University of Utah, right, speak out at a crucial hearing Tuesday June 30 at the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining at the Utah Dept. of Natural Rescources building in Salt Lake City regarding the expansion of the PR Spring Mine on the Uintah-Grand County line.
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