Proposed mine in Parleys Canyon draws concern for homeowners, environment

SALT LAKE CITY — A new rock quarry could shake things up in Parleys Canyon.

It’s drawing concerns for homeowners and for the environment.

The owner has about 650 acres of land in the canyon, but the proposal is for the mine to take up about 20 acres.

Still, with drilling, dynamite, and hauling of materials through the canyon, people are nervous about the prospect.

It’s still not clear where the proposed limestone mine would be, but when you hear of a project like that out in the area, it draws a lot of questions.

“I commute this canyon sometimes seven days a week,” said Necia Emery.

Emery said she not only worries about the loads of limestone that will come out of the mine and through the canyon.

“I’m concerned about my water in Salt Lake, and very concerned about my water up here, and the wildlife, too,” she said.

The prospect of dust and impacts to the environment here are the focus of many questions nearby homeowners have.

“That’s going to necessitate heavy equipment traveling right past our entrance to our property, basically our driveway,” said Joel Wyner.

But the owner of Tree Farm LLC, Jesse Lassley, said they’ve carefully outlined plans in the over 300-page proposal to mitigate impacts on the environment.

“And, you know, animal displacement, and the water these animals drink, and the members of the community drink, and that Salt Lake City residents drink, it’s just, everyone should be concerned, not just our community,” said Emery.

According to the plans, a large retention pond would filter out sediment, and good housekeeping measures would be used to avoid chemical seepage from equipment in the mine.

Lassely said the quarry would be in an area that would make it very hard to see from the highway, and he said they’re working to avoid impacts to wildlife in the area, too.

Still, it’s hard for many in the surrounding area to not be concerned.

“We’re doing everything we can now to try and make it better, so why are we letting something like this go in?” Emery asked.

An online petition against the mine already has over 2,000 signatures.

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining will take public input through email at oilgasmining@utah.gov.

Lassley said they will do everything they can to address every regulation and concern the board may have.