Q: Where is the coal mine process? What happens next?

A: You can look at our Legal Action Updates page for in-depth information. Currently, four organizations (Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council and National Parks Conservation Association) have just finished their appeal of the Alton Coal Strip Mine surface mining permit with Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (UDOGM). UDOGM has upheld the permit, so now we face an upcoming Supreme Court Battle, as well as a fight to ensure the company does not get their air permit with the Utah Department of Air Quality.

Q: Are they currently mining in Alton?

A: At this time, Alton Coal Development has not yet broken ground. This is because of a combination of factors. Mainly, they have been suspended from construction until Army Core of Engineers, who has gotten involved in the past few months, is done surveying the mine site for possible wetlands classification. If it is classified as a wetland, the company will then have to apply for another specialized 404 water permit to construct a mine on a wetland area.

Q:Who foots the bill to widen, improve, and maintain the highways for these trucks?

A: At this time, the Utah Department of Transportation, and thus the state taxpayer, would be responsible for all highway maintenance to take place as a result of increased truck traffic from the Alton Coal Strip Mine.

Q: Will there be increased depreciation of the residential and business properties along Highway 89?

A: Yes. Locals who live and own businesses along the proposed Hwy 89 haul route have already noted surface disturbances (driveway pavement cracks and other obvious surface disturbances) from recently increased truck traffic on the Highway. Increasing the truck traffic by 153  42-ton round trips per day will undoubtedly intensify this depreciation of surface structure and building foundations. This problem has been especially bad in the Panguitch, Utah Historic District, and we fear it will get much worse with increased traffic.

There is also the issue of tourism and agriculture to take into account when considering property values. Since Kane and Garfield Counties rely on these two industries for much of their economic base, and both tourism and agriculture stand to be negatively impacted by the mine, it stands to reason that property values might decrease if the income from the two main industries along the haul route decreases. The coal mine will likely not have the capacity to fill this economic void.