Parley’s Canyon Gravel Pit

Contentious Mining Plan Still Under Review

By Angelika Brewer

Parley’s Canyon and the Wasatch Mountains are at the forefront of a controversial debate about whether or not a proposed limestone quarry should move forward. Seemingly, the opinions surrounding the plan are overwhelmingly negative, even prompting a petition called “Save Parley’s Canyon.”

Carl Fisher, a respondent from “Save Our Canyons,” the organization responsible for the creation of the petition, says, “Save Our Canyons learned about this application about a year ago. It was filed right around Thanksgiving time in 2021, when Tree Farm, LLC filed an application before the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM). As we reviewed the application (and in light of the other battles we were fighting, like a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon), we decided we should hire some outside legal counsel to help with this project.”

Still, the road to determining whether or not the project will proceed is a rocky one. In the thick of legal debate, those protesting the mine

are determined to obtain the land at an agreeable price to prevent the construction of the mine. Regulators have approved the project as of August 2022, according to reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune, despite the public and county officials attempts to halt it. However, it was approved with permit requirements that will continue to stall the actual act of mining.

“Our petition stemmed from the fact that we don’t have a high degree of confidence that Utah’s policies or policy makers will do anything to protect our environment. We wanted to start a conversation that suggested not only was there opposition to this proposal, but there was public interest in trying to work with the land owner and/ or his gravel pit operators to see this land protected from mining Carl Fisher of Save Our activities, Canyons. permanently protected for the benefit of people and nature,” says Fisher.

Granite Construction Company is the global operational company responsible for filing for the limestone mine, along with the landowner and partner of the project Tree Farm, LLC. To public knowledge, the original paperwork contained limited information, but was requested at 20 acres, which by law, qualifies for a quick review. This would have made the process relatively easy to get through, but that was before the public found out about it. Though 20 acres of land is considered a small plot for mining, the impact of the mine could be detrimental to the environment, residents, infrastructure and more. In April of this year, Salt Lake County officials passed a law and zoning change that prohibits mining and gravel pits in the Wasatch Mountains. According to the petition, “nearly all county representatives cited they received hundreds of letters asking them to prohibit this destructive use from further tearing apart our Wasatch Canyons.” The DOGM received objections from Salt Lake City and Milcreek, which prompted a further look into the project by John R. Bazza, Director of DOGM. One of the responsibilities of DOGM is to ensure that mining propositions ensure public health and safety. The two objecting cities share concerns about the water supply and dust kickup that will be caused by the mining operation. Seismic shaking and wildfires are also concerns for cabin owners neighboring the site of the quarry in the Mt. Aire Canyon Community.

While Granite Construction Company’s filing registered as a small mining operation under 20 acres, records show Jesse Lassley, the original requestor for the quarry permits, had previously filed for the land to be used

at 400 acres of mining ground over 100 years. This has created urges for the operation to be reviewed as a large mine, rather than the small one it is currently being reviewed as. At that time, before the April law preventing new mining operations was passed, the determination would have been made by the state based on a 2019 law. With the new guidelines, they will be required to obtain permits from Salt Lake County, who seem to be opposed to the operation.

This is only the beginning of what is inevitably going to be a long-lasting battle between the parties. When the actual digging will become active is still unknown. Until that is determined, protestors urge those who appreciate the wildlife, scenery and natural elements of Parley’s Canyon to sign the online petition.

According to Fisher, “So far as the effectiveness, working to protect Utah’s environment will never have enough support. You know you are successful when a damaging proposal has been stopped, when the dozers have been called off. Our founder, Gale Dick, liked to remind us that every loss is permanent and every victory is temporary in our line of work. Land and water laws seldom work for those resources anymore, they’ve been eroded for 50 years. We used to rally and have petitions to uphold the law that protected the very lands and waters we are fighting to protect today — the difference is today, the law isn’t nearly as strong as it was and the pressures are many times as great. We are no longer petitioning to uphold the law, rather to strengthen it, but we are standing below looking straight up at what used to be a conservative baseline. This is a long way of saying, there’s still an active proposal to mine the Wasatch, so the petition, the law, nor your elected officials have been successful to date — they are all a work in process with people on different sides working different angles every day.”

marketplace

out with the old

in with the...

By Richard Markosian

The downtown Salt Lake City retail and restaurant marketplace has seen some big shake-ups since the end of lock-downs.

The demolition of the former Sears, which bookended State Street for over 65 years, now leaves a very large visible void. But State Street has seen some positive developments. iconoCLAD clothing (which offers costumes and clothing for festivals and raves) opened their second location at 855 State. A new coffee shop, Merch Coffee at 1550 South State, opened by Adam and Shelby, now serves the area and SLCC South campus students.

State Street was once the place for pawn shops. Now there are none north of 2100 South. But State Street now has a medical cannabis shop — Dragonfly Wellness (card-holders only).

There are now two vegan houses and several tattoo parlors. State Street used to be where young driving-age kids would “drag state.” A friend of mine met his wife doing that. Is that still a thing? But maybe the appeal of The Fast & The Furious has waned.

The number of restaurants that have closed downtown is very sad: DP Cheesesteaks, Medici Pizza, Les Madeleines and Indian Street Food that only lasted a year on 200 South has been replaced by Laziz Kitchen.

New restaurants have popped up, including the latest creation by the Bourbon Group, adding yet another stellar eatery on 231 South Edison Street called “Franklin Ave.” in the former Salt Lake Harold building where there was once a theater with a famous trap door which led to a bar. It’s a great upcycle of historic architecture.

The sad departure of the Pantages Theater leaves a void on Main Street, but the street is showing renewed life and vitality despite the sad losses to the businesses that were demolished along with the Utah Theater: Reggae Roots, Ary’s Barbershop and Beckett & Rob custom suites (although they still have a location in Sandy). Read about the moving of Southam Gallery in this issue.

Sadly, both art galleries on Main have closed. Hope Gallery, a true “hidden treasure” of Salt Lake, also closed in the historic Tracy Loan and Trust Company Building. While the works of Danish master oil painters can no longer be viewed on Main Street, the building will soon become another upscale restaurant under the Pago Group.

A BAR NAMED SUE

Full bar, food, pool tables, pingpong. 3928 S Highland Dr, SLC + 8136 S State St, Midvale

BEERHIVE PUB

Main Street just got a whole lot cooler! A big, gorgeous bar, hundreds of great beers and good company. 128 S Main St., SLC

BIG WILLIES

Good pub food, sports bar and pool tables. 1717 S Main St, SLC

BODEGA

Home of SLC’s best kept secret. 331 S Main Street BOHEMIAN BREWERY

Czechs know: Amazing food. Amazing beer. 94 E 7200 S

CHAKRA LOUNGE

Tapas, exceptional cocktails, DJ. 364 S State, SLC COTTON BOTTOM INN

Classic aprés ski, famous garlic burgers. 2820 E 6200 S, Holladay

DESERT EDGE PUB

Great food and atmosphere for a night out. Trolley Square

FIDDLER’S ELBOW

Watch the Utes and drink a stein in Sugar House. 1063 E 2100 S

GRACIE’S

Service, drinks, food and ambience—all top notch. 326 S West Temple, SLC

GREEN PIG PUB

Great place to watch the game and have a pint. 31 E 400 S, SLC

HOG WALLOW

Offering spirits & bar food, live music. 3200 E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Cottonwood Heights

KEYS ON MAIN

Live dueling piano bar in the heart of downtown. 242 S Main

LEGENDS SPORTS GRILL

Perfect spot to watch the Jazz and enjoy a burger and a brew. 677 S 200 W

LUCKY 13

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. 135 W 1300 S

PIPER DOWN

SLC’s Most Amazing Rooftop Patio. 1492 S State St, SLC

POPLAR STREET PUB

Good food, great selection of local beers. 242 S 200 W PROPER BREWING CO.

Craft beer and a full bar. Food available next door at Proper Burger Co. 857 S Main St., SLC

RED ROCK BREWING CO.

Utah’s most awarded brew pub: taste why. 254 S 200 W + 1640 W Redstone Center Dr, Park City

SQUATTER’S

Where great dining and beer was born in Salt Lake City. 147 W Broadway (300 S)

THE BAYOU

A must see ‘Beervana’, 100s of beers. 645 S State St., SLC

TWIST

Renovated 19-century boiler room with a patio for clever small plates, pub classics & craft beer. 32 S Exchange Pl, SLC

UINTA BREWERY

A small pub attached to Utah’s biggest brewery. 1722 Fremont Dr. (2375 W)

WASATCH BREW PUB

Superb food and beer. 2110 Highland Dr, SLC + 250 Main Street Park City

WHISKEY STREET

High West and a great vibe classic feel. 323 South Main St.

Celebrating America’s Craft Breweries with over 300 Brands

January 12

Birding on Skis at Alta. Pre-registered skiers can help expand Alta’s bird list with a bird survey in conjunction with Tracy Aviary. Held from 9am to noon, the event is open to those 12 years of age and older, with intermediate ski experience. Must have a lift ticket and pre-register at Alta.com. The tour meets at the bottom of Collins Lift. The event will continue every second and fourth Thursday of the Month through March 23.

January 19

Strictly Ballroom in Pleasant Grove. Ballroom dancing at the Pleasant Grove Rec Center, 547 S Locust Ave, Gym 1, from 7pm to 9pm. Tickets ate $5 at the door and instruction will be provided by Alison Wakefield.

January 19-29

Sundance Film Festival. This premiere world-class event will be held in various venues including theaters in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Sundance. An on-demand package for viewing at home is also available. Visit sundance.org for a full list and ticket information.

January 20-22

Winter Festival Tattoo Convention in Ogden. This event will be held at the Ogden Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave. Local tattoo artists,shops, food trucks, and vendors will be on hand. The Union Station Museum will be open to the public. Admission to the festival is $10.

January 21

Lunar New Year at University Place Orem. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at University Place Orem, 575 E University Parkway. Lion Dance Parades will be held at 12pm, 3pm & 6pm, with fireworks after the 6pm parade.

January 27 to February 4

Moab Music Festival Winterlude concert. Concerts include free jazz on Friday, January 27 at Josie Wyatt’s Grille, Hoodoo Moab Hotel at 5:30, admission is free. On Saturday January 28 the Alison Shearer Quartet will be at the Hoodoo Ballroom at 7pm. General admission tickets at $30. On Friday, February 3 the Winterlude Showcase will be held at Star Hall at 7pm and on Saturday, February 4 a Musical Story Hour children’s event will be held at 10:30am at Star Hall. Both of these events are free.

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