But SUWA again challenged it. "While the company and the state division contend otherwise, we contend that six years later they approved that permit again without getting that data" previously ordered, Bloch said.

The Board of Oil, Gas and Mining is now working through those issues with the company and SUWA to determine if the state permit was properly issued and if work on the mine can begin — or if the permit again should be rescinded and more study done.

"I suspect that (board review) may conclude by the end of 2007, but not anytime sooner," Bloch said.

Meanwhile, Murray says he intends to win the ongoing wilderness battle. "We plan to build it," he wrote about the mine. He added that he hopes to have it open in 2010 and said it would create 400 or more jobs.

(An annual review and forecast of coal by the Utah Geological Survey had less optimistic predictions about new jobs at Lila Canyon. It said, "It could employ up to 200 people and produce up to 4.5 million short tons of coal per year.")

Murray wrote, "This is a critically important project for all Utahns. The coal will be needed to fuel electricity needs. The jobs will be the best."

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com