Don't Let This Become the Future of Modena Canyon
Our Immediate Focus
Building Support to Save Modena Canyon
In response to the outrage of Modena Canyon and Hamlin Valley landowners and visitors, the Iron County Planning Commission tabled action on PCI's application to destroy 200 acres of unique canyon environment, with a likely future plan to extend this to more than 1100 acres. The Planning Commission refused to hear public comment at its March 6 meeting, and largely dismissed the public's health, safety, and general welfare concerns about permitting this to begin. You can help by letting us know if you were left out of public notices about this and want your voice to be heard in future actions by the State of Utah and the Federal Bureau of Land Management. If you are concerned about the impact of spreading magnesium chloride on 9 miles of canyon road frequented by open vehicle and OHV traffic, livestock and wildlife; if you're a hunter, OHV trail user, landowner, birder, rock hound or any other person interested in wildland preservation, please help us share your thoughts on how a surface mining operation like the one shown above will affect the things you care about (the image above was presented at Iron County Planning Commission meetings to illustrate what we're facing).
PCI has contiguous mining claims for 1120 acres of land in the most sensitive part of Modena Canyon, on both sides of the canyon road and completely incorporating the exposed geological formations that make this canyon unique. In addition to the 200 acre area now approved by Iron County, they have applied to the state Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and the Bureau of Land Management for approval of a much smaller 20 acre area in the mouth of Nelson Canyon. The reason for seeking approvals for this smaller area is apparently to reduce avoid public review and to reduce the initial costs associated with guaranteeing ultimate reclamations efforts. This also has the effect of delaying the amount of land subjected to environmental review to only 10% of the area approved by Iron County.
When the Bureau of Land Management begins its review of the proposed project's impact on the human and natural environment, we'll be there, and we'll need your help. Until then, we need your help connecting with other individuals, groups (hunters, OHV enthusiasts, naturalists), and content experts (e.g. lawyers, engineers) willing to join with us.
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