We Want to Save Modena Canyon

Most members of the Modena Canyon/Hamlin Valley community first learned from a Facebook post on February 1, 2025 that Iron County was considering a Conditional Use Permit for a 200 acre surface mining site on BLM-managed public land in Modena Canyon. The Subject Property shown on the accompanying map includes a portion of the eroded tuff "ghost rocks" halfway up the canyon. The Iron County Planning Commission scheduled a hearing on the permit application, which was held during its February 6 meeting in Cedar City.

Iron County zoning ordinances allow surface mining on land zoned for agriculture IF it finds:

1.The proposed use at the proposed location will not be unduly detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.
2.The proposed use will be located and conducted in compliance with the goals and policies of the Iron County general plan and the purposes of this title and the land management code.
3.That the property on which the use, building or other structure is proposed is of adequate size and dimensions to permit the conduct of the use in such a manner that will not be materially detrimental to adjoining and surrounding properties.

The February 6 hearing ended with a resolution passed by the Planning Commission to continue the issue for additional discussion at it's March 6 regular meeting.

At the hearing, presentations were made by the County Planner, followed by comments by representatives of Progressive Contracting Inc (PCI), the Applicant. The Planner noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (posted here) between PCI and Iron County, had already been executed, allowing PCI to modify and maintain the Modena Canyon Road from SR 56 to the proposed mining site for as long as mining operations took place, with a $3,000 posted bond. The county would be obligated to provide culverts, cattle guards and low water crossings and to increase drainage along the road for 1,000 feet south of the proposed site.

The County Planner also presented a letter from the Utah Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals permitting PCI to operate a 20 (not 200) acre site under rules for small mines, subject to approval of BLM and other conditions. While it was implied that BLM approval was imminent, public comment demonstrated that BLM has not yet begun its environmental assessment for the proposed project.

The County Planner projected a Site Plan Image (posted here) with red lines showing boundaries of how close to Modena Canyon Road and to the main body of the "Ghost Rocks" eroded tuff it proposed to mine, with a blue line showing the initial point at which the project would move east of the road, and north. A proposed 14-point draft of permit conditions was presented to members of the Commission, but not shared with the public.

Following the public hearing, the County Planner sent a letter (see below) to a limited number of people who were already aware of the proposal, inviting additional comment to be received by February 20. There would be no outreach to residents or landowners of Modena, Modena Canyon, or Hamlin Valley. The planning Commission intends to act on the proposal at its March 6 meeting, with no further public hearings.

Primary concerns of the community are:

The apparently predetermined awarding of a permit, given the County is committed to supporting the proposal, the County Commission having already executed an agreement to provide material resources at taxpayer expense to facilitate the development of the proposed mine

The Planning Commission is plainly determined to act on a premature and to date incomplete proposal which does not meet the standards in the county ordinance for a Conditional Use Permit.

The proposal threatens the health and safety of all users of the only road to and from Hamlin Valley, poses similar threats to livestock and wildlife grazing and transitting through the canyon, and will have devastating environmental and negative value impact on private property.

Many potential impacts of the proposal are discussed in the documents below, relating to the planned destruction of natural spaces, the massive consumption of water (44,000 gallons a day from an as yet unknown source), changes to water flow within the canyon, changes to Modena Canyon Road, the application of Magnesium Chloride to the road surface, and the proven hazards of silica dust from crushing the volcanic tuff.