Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Blm Trustlands Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trust Lands and BLM update: mining leases, Poison Springs solar open house and Goblin Valley power line
Summary
Trust Lands and BLM staff briefed the council on converted mineral leases, a placer-mining lease near Emory, an easement for pipeline infrastructure, an open house for the Poison Springs solar project (June 10), and a signed decision for a small power line serving Goblin Valley State Park; staff noted recent increases in rights-of-way billing rates for some local users.
Trust Lands and BLM staff updated the Public Lands Council on several land- and project-level developments affecting Emery County.
Brian Torgerson of Trust Lands reported a Dingle Exchange parcel now includes converted mining leases (described in the briefing as allowing future exploration and development, including potential uranium leasing). He also noted a placer-mining lease near the town of Emory and an easement application for a pipeline in a local gas field. Brian said a lessee for the Poison Springs solar project will host an open house on June 10 and that the project is pursuing a conditional-use permit through county planning.
A BLM representative described a signed decision approving a 15-kilovolt power line to carry service from the Hanksville area to Goblin Valley State Park along Molly’s Castle Road. The BLM representative said the project follows existing roads and routes and that the BLM analyzed alternatives (including burial and additional generation) and expects potential legal challenges; the office is preparing right-of-way grants and permits.
BLM staff also reported that national-level billing for rights-of-way and permit rates has increased substantially in recent weeks, in some cases more than tripling annual charges; staff advised affected parties they can appeal bills and that the agency is investigating the cause of recent increases.
Other planning updates included reminders that a travel-management plan comment period closes June 8 and that the BLM’s central recreation-area plan amendment is in a protest period with a simultaneous governor-consistency review.
Trust Lands and BLM staff asked the council and public to watch project notices and attend local planning and outreach meetings.
