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BLM says land-exchange signing could trigger 45‑day protest period; county urged to set policy on solar development
Summary
A Bureau of Land Management representative told the Emery County Public Lands Council a land‑exchange tied to the Dingle Act may be signed soon, likely opening a roughly 45‑day protest window; the BLM also signaled an upcoming programmatic EIS on solar that could prompt applications on federal land and urged the county to consider a formal stance.
Kyle, a Bureau of Land Management representative, told the Emery County Public Lands Council that a land exchange tied to the Dingle Act may be signed “potentially this week,” which would start a roughly 45‑day protest period and aim to wrap up in January or February.
Why it matters: the exchange and an expected programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) on utility‑scale solar — Kyle said the programmatic EIS is planned to be signed in December — could prompt commercial solar applications on federal lands in Emery County. Kyle cautioned that those applications will go through the NEPA public‑engagement process and that the county should decide what, if any, position it will take when applications arrive.
Details from the meeting: Kyle said he has begun seeing early outreach from firms interested in putting panels along major transmission corridors and that the new programmatic document will provide direction on how applications are processed. “Once we receive applications, it’ll definitely go through that public process,” he told the council, adding that the BLM will ultimately have to “sign yes or no” on individual proposals. He also described related BLM work in the area, including finishing a San Rafael Swell travel‑management decision record, ongoing appraisal work for several exchanges and construction at a monument dig site that could affect next season’s public access.
County reaction: Council members voiced concern about impacts to grazing and desert landscapes. One member said from the ranching perspective, “We’re the only losers,” and another commented that existing power poles already affect views: “The power poles are ugly enough. Let’s not complicate it.” Several speakers urged the county to update its general plan; one said the current plan “has very little to say about it” and offered little guidance for staff or county responses to federal land applications.
Next steps: Kyle announced public meetings connected to the San Rafael process (an in‑Price session and an on‑the‑land tour) and encouraged attendees to watch for forthcoming NEPA comment windows. The BLM said any formal applications would trigger standard public comment and environmental review procedures.
