Canyon oil-sands plans worry landowners
Black Sands to exercise rights north of Roosevelt
Last month, Black Sands Holding Co. sent notification letters to approximately 15 landowners outlining plans to exercise the mineral-lease rights the company has purchased from the privately held Whiterocks Energy LLC.
Alan Propp, senior engineer for Black Sands, said he wants those people with surface property rights to know that Black Sands Energy will be a "good neighbor" and will reclaim all the land that is disturbed, "under all applicable regulations."
Propp said the first item on the company's agenda will be to conduct core drilling on the private mineral leases after obtaining the proper permitting from the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Black Sands was formed 2 1/2 years ago, and the company's chief executive officer is Frank Glinton, who resides in Boulder, Colo.
Black Sands Energy Corp. is a joint venture partner with Nevtah Capital Management Corp. Korean investors are financing their exploratory work in Whiterocks Canyon and other sites to produce oil from oil sands to the tune of $29 million.
There have been rumors for decades that exploration for the rich oil-sands deposits in the canyon was imminent. So far, only rather benign core drilling has gone on from time to time. However, with oil prices around $62 a barrel and rising, those people who want to protect the canyon from an intrusion of widescale mineral extraction are organizing and examining their options.
Black Sands' notice of intent to explore "has been overwhelmingly met with shock and great alarm," Tammy Bostick-Cooper wrote in a nearly three-page letter to state and local officials. Cooper, writing on behalf of the Whiterocks Property Owners Association, addressed concerns that included the environment and aesthetics, as well as economic and legal issues.
Uintah County commissioners have heard nothing of the plans of Nevtah/Black Sands and have invited members of the property-owners association to meet with them next week, said Commissioner Darlene Burns.
Bostick-Cooper and her husband Lewis are one of three property owners who live in the canyon year-round. They moved there seven years ago to live "off the grid, gently on the land" on their 20 acres. Like many private-property owners in the canyon, their land is surrounded by Ashley National Forest in an area zoned for recreation, forestry and mining.
Bostick-Cooper said she isn't completely against energy development, but does want to ensure it is done right.
Comments
- Luxury home market stalls 12:02 p.m.
- Kirk Douglas classic on DVD 11:38 a.m.
- Zion fire moving southeast 11:36 a.m.
- More school-money than expected 11:24 a.m.
- Virginia 'Freedman's' project done 11:12 a.m.
- Teen relive Mormon trek 11:12 a.m.
- Oldest American to scale Mount Everest 11:07 a.m.
- Knicks sign first-round pick 10:59 a.m.
- Armstrong third, Leipheimer fourthe 10:58 a.m.
- 6.0 quake in China 10:43 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Man spots his stolen car
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
252 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
162 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
119 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
98 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
76 - Letters: Single-payer system best
75
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
where do you meet?
anyone who wants this girl to share "any" of the blame are wrongheaded and...
Yep--just when you thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous, a couple of...
Thanks Bill for helping to stop this genocide and getting other nations...
So easy for those with no standards to cry and whine about those with them....
I seem to recall a black woman who once was asked politely to give up her...
What the Jazz need to do is trade all the players and fold. These guys are...
Its time to let Paul go and be over paid for a back up roll. Thats all he...
What if something like this happened to YOUR child?
It seems to be that people are forgetting who coached one of the best power...


You can be the first to comment on this story.