Scofield council declares proposed Kitty Mine No.2 location 'unsuitable,' moves to bar extraction in agricultural zone

The Scofield Town Council voted May 19 to adopt a resolution declaring the proposed permitting location for Kitty Mine Number 2 — proposed by Coal Energy Group LLC — "unsuitable and incompatible with the health, safety, welfare, and long term vision of the town," and to amend the town land-use code to prohibit extraction and mining in the agricultural zone.

The council's resolution, read aloud during the meeting, said the proposed mine location would increase truck traffic, noise, dust and lighting and could threaten a recently funded water well and historic resources in Scofield. Committee member (S4) read that the council had determined the proximity of the mine "would jeopardize tourism opportunities and harm town businesses by increasing traffic, noise, lights, and dust," language the council voted to adopt.

Why it matters: Scofield's economy relies in part on heritage and scenic tourism along Highway 96. Council members said they worried that industrial-scale mining operations adjacent to the town would undercut tourism, disrupt community events at Town Park and create safety and infrastructure strains. Planning and Zoning had earlier recommended changing Table 2, use 1.32 in the land-use code so that extraction of sand, gravel, stone, minerals or similar resources is not allowed in the agricultural zone; P&Z reported a unanimous vote to forward that recommendation.

The council moved the land-use amendment and approved it by voice. Committee member (S3) moved the amendment; the motion was seconded and the council polled in favor. The council then moved and adopted Resolution 05/2025 opposing the Kitty Mine Number 2 permitting location and agreed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, the Bureau of Land Management and other relevant permitting agencies.

Liberty Smith, who presided over the meeting, praised planning and zoning work on the ordinances: "Without her work, we just wouldn't be here at all," she said, referring to a planning member who drafted the noise and lighting language. Council members also stressed that several sections of the draft ordinances require attorney review before final action.

What happens next: The amendment to the land-use code and the resolution are now part of the public record and will be sent to state and federal permitting authorities as input on the Kitty Mine permitting process. The draft noise, nuisance and lighting ordinance discussed at the meeting will return to the town attorney and be revised before any final council vote.

Votes at a glance: the motion to amend Table 2 (extraction ban) passed by voice vote; Resolution 05/2025 opposing the proposed Kitty Mine No.2 permitting location was moved by Committee member (S3), seconded, and adopted on a council poll.

The council did not adopt the draft noise/nuisance/lighting ordinance at this meeting; members requested attorney review and further revisions.