The proposed mining operation for Parleys Canyon will have a dramatic effect not only on the community of Mount Aire but the entire Wasatch Front. The size and scope of the project presents this as the largest mining operation within the Wasatch Front since the establishment of the Point of the Mountain quarry.

This information was released on November 24, 2021 via the Salt Lake Tribune without any public input. This proposed mine came as a shock to all who care about our water, air, wildlife habitat, and the quality of life for our communities. Furthermore, what has not been studied or determined is the safety of the adjacent Mount Aire Community and the ecology of Parleys Canyon — for example:

• The proposed mining operation is located within Parleys Canyon which is a protected watershed per Salt Lake City Public Utilities.
• Over 50% of the drinking water consumed by residents of Salt Lake City comes directly from the protected watersheds.
• Pollution including noise, light, dust & diesel fumes.
• No risk assessment has been done for the homes in the Mount Aire Community.
• Increased avalanche and rock slides from blasting.
• Impact of having the access gate removed which would remove access to residential parking and pose a security risk. 
• Increased semi truck traffic on 1-80, over 140 trucks per day. 
• Destruction to the landscape and ecology.
• Mount Aire Canyon is a historical canyon with designated historical landmarks within the canyon. 
• Current gravel quarry in Parleys Canyon has a dismal track record for air quality and was denied expansion by the Utah Supreme Court in 2004.
• The proposed mining operation is 640 acres. To put this into scope the current Parleys Quarry is estimated under 50 acres.

The area of Parleys Canyon is in the Forestry Recreation Zone which is supposed to only allow development that is most compatible with the scenery and national resources. For these reasons and many more this proposal for a limestone quarry should be stopped. Please join us in the fight to protect our canyons. 

Full Proposal for Limestone Quarry: 

https://fs.ogm.utah.gov/FILES/MINERALS/PERMITS/035/M0350054/2021/Incoming/11122021a.pdf

More Information:

https://saveparleys.org

Past Articles:

https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/harper-companies-dust-storms-parleys-canyon/Content?oid=2147959

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/2004/nov/24/utah-supreme-court-rejects-gravel-quarry-expansion/

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2021/11/24/major-limestone-quarry/