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Show Governor Agrees With BLM Coal Statement In a recent letter to the Bureau of Land Mangement, State Director Roland Robison, Governor Scott Matheson stated that the State agrees with the BLM's recommendations for unsuitability for coal development in the southern portion of the Henry Mountain study area. He stated that the State would exchange 18 sections of state land in the Garfield county portion of that study area (in which coal reserves of more than 50 million tons lie) for a similar protion of land in areas north of Gar field county primarily in Wayne County. Stating that state agencies and departments had spent several weeks reviewing the draft study and the issues surrounding coal development in the Henry Mountains area, Matheson said he welcomed the opportunity to comment on it. He said that state officials had met with the National Park Service and representatives of the Amax Coal (Continued on Page 6) Governor Agrees With BLM Coal Statement (Continued from Page 1) Company, applicant for tne preference right coal leases within the study area and had also reviewed the concerns expressed by local elected officials and local citizens. He said that they had traveled throughout the area examining the geology, assessing Impacts on Capitol Reef National Park overlook of Swap Mesa, assessing wildlife impacts, analyzing the considerable tran sporation problems and generally reviewing the concerns that would be associated with strip mining in the area and in general felt that the state had conducted a "thorough and professional analysis of a very complicated and controversial issue." His letter stated that he felt that "much of the controversy seems artificial" and was generated by a "misunderstanding of the preference right lease application (PRLA's) process and the immediate plans of the coal company." His letter said that the "economic and transportation constraints associated with the existing PRLA's are more serious obstacles" to coal development" than any of the environmental objections." He said that the state shares BLM concerns about the Swap Mesa Overlook in Capitol Reef National Park and the "critical winter range of the unique bison (buffalo) herd." The letter added that the situation was complicated by seven sections of leased state lands containing estimated local reserves of 50 million tons within the area listed by the BLM as strip-pable but unsuitable. Acknowledging that some of the specific impacts could be debatable, the letter stated that "protracted analysis, debate and litigation is a disservice to all parties and delays the reasonable development of available resources far beyond those which would be directly Impacted by this decision." As a result Matheson said that the state sought a position that would provide three fold benefits: an increase in local tax base and employment in Wayne and Garfield counties, "geographic diversification of the coal mining industry in Utah," and a maintenance of the Important scenic and wildlife resources in the Henry Mountain area. The exchange of the 18 sections of land In Garfield County all State lands for a block In the Kings Raach -Wildcat Mesa and the Factory Butte areas was the way of accomplishing the three proposed goals. Matheson said he did not see his action as " 'writing off in perpuity" the southern coal deposits of the Henry Mountains area. Garfield County Commissioners appeared to have some serious questions about the Governor's suggestions and indicated they would approach the governor at the first opportunity about the letter. |