Comments about ‘Environmental groups challenge strip-mining permit near Bryce Canyon National Park’

Not the enviros, the committee! Have you ever seen a strip mine? Go to Canada - go to West Virginia. Having spent many hours hiking in the canyons around Bryce, I think this is an absolute travesty. Does anybody here think that DOGM is going to look at this impartially? Neither the clean air act nor the clean water act can stop this mess until after they have caused an irreversible problem. Look at the dust that blows from the junk Kennecott pushes over the side of their mine - that is exactly what will be happening in Bryce. This proves exactly why Utah cannot be trusted to protect public lands - because they will only protect it for the highest bidder, never the common good.

These people have their opinions about what constitutes the common good, and I have mine. I like electricity. I think the tradeoffs of allowing a mine that stimulates the economy and reclaims the land as it goes (don't argue that; it's the definition of a strip mine) are worth it.

It's not in the park, and it's legal, so go ahead. How else do you expect to get natural resources if you don't mine?

The same tired old groups make the same tired old objections. It's time we quit taking them seriously because they're the ones who got us into the energy mess we're in -- they oppose nuclear power based solely on ignorance and fear, which means we have built coal-fired plants instead of nuclear and polluted the air more than we should have. Then they oppose every proposed energy solution, including drilling for American oil, thereby THEY have empowered the middle eastern and Venezuelan wackos and placed us in an untenable position. Stop listening to them!

To the business owners in Panguitch and all the towns on Hwy 89 wouldn't it be nice if someone besides a tourist had money to spend in your store. The mine would provide jobs for people from Kanab to cedar and maybe as far away as Richfield. Hwy 89 needs almost any kind of job the can get.

Before spewing your "coal dust is good"comments about how good this will be for the economy and energy I suggest you check the quality of coal and the fact that some if not all will go to China. It is not going to be supplying you with electricity. Also, Rick, when is the last time you have shopped locally along highway 89? If we didn't have the tourists we could not stay in business in these small towns. If the coal mine is for 3 to 4 years what happens to the unemployed when there are no more jobs for them? Can we send them your way to compete for your job?

Anyone who suggest that a coal mine would stimulate the local economy must have been living in the boob shelter for the last 50 years. Go to Virgina, Southeastern Kansas and see the devastated ghost towns and environmental ruins they have and you will how short sighted this argument is. And to the person who argue we need to mine the natural resources, the most abundant natural resources that will never be used up is right about your head: the power of sun (what God gave us). Utah has one of the highest number of sunny days. There will be no need to mine it and it will never end.
The long term negative effect of strip mining is far greater than the short term cash gain you can ever get out of it. Just look over the west side of Point of the Mountain near Draper. It is bad enough that we made those mistakes. I can't imagine someone would actually allow it again.

I think it's time that you coal lovers do some real research before you run your mouths. Obviously you do not know anything about the reality of coal mines and their extremely negative impact on our lives. Do yourself a favor and READ. Your dreaming if you think that any locals will get jobs at the coal mine. They will hire experienced people from all over the US who have specialized training to operate the equipment they will be utilizing, not some local yokel with no experience. It is time to move beyond coal for electricity, there are many other alternatives.

the health of asthma affected persons will necessitate moving from the area for their lives sake. Our children will be in danger, with so much traffic. Our businesses will founder with out the tourist business. I have a motel on Hwy 89, can you imagine the problems people will have, sleeping, driving in and trying to get out when leaving. Panguitch is a historical town. Lumbering trucks cause vibrations on these lovely brick homes. I feel the coal should be shipped by train, build a track to Cedar City. Cover loads with out fail. The filth that follows coal trucks is unbearable. The health is of a primary importance.Coal for China? why? It is not a good grade of coal to begin with.

To Mathew, turn off your computer and get some exersize, go for a walk and breath in the dirty air. Maybe it will remind you of what the coal mine is all about.To thinkin man lets talk about fear and ignorance. I am perfectly aware that one uranium pellet makes the same amount of electricity as one ton of coal. I also know that it requires 40,000 rods of 15 pellets to power a plant for four years. And that plants last for 20-25 years. And I also know that the Utah radiation control board wants Energy Solutions to come up with a casing that can withstand the refilling of Lake Bonneville. You understand that at a min were talking about a thousand years right. Also uranium just like coal and petroleum have to be mined transported and stored, except it requires massive amounts of water per Hour to store. Guess whos water they want to use? thats right Utahs. and guess where they want to store the entire countrys spent rods? thats right! Utah. I am not ignorant about the benefits of nuclear power but that does not mean I am for it.

So, you propose we go back to living without energy? This is the problem with all of the groups opposing this mine and every other project like it. You all love to spout off about how horrible it will all be (nevermind that you are extremely misinformed) but have NO solutions. Please stop using electricity if you are so averse to its production.