Mining and drilling would not be allowed in the 1 million acres remaining in Grand Staircase, along with 210,000 acres removed from the monument. That would leave nearly 700,000 acres stripped from the monument open to mining for coal, tar sands and other minerals and drilling for oil and gas — with some stipulations to protect nonmineral resources. The Bureau of Land Management’s preferred alternative indicates “moderate constraints” on about 551,000 acres and “major constraints” on 108,000 acres. More than 66,000 acres were deemed suitable for coal mining. The plan would bar mineral extraction on 225 acres at the end of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, including sites important to Mormon pioneer history.
What the new plans mean for mining, grazing, recreation and artifacts in Grand Staircase and Bears Ears
