SUWA: No to Coal Strip Mine

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and other green groups have filed a petition "to halt the proposed Coal Hollow coal strip mine, which would sit just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. They argue that plans for the strip mine fail to adequately account for the potential for harmful impacts on the area's water, air, wildlife and cultural resources. ... On October 19, 2009, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining of Natural Resources approved the permit for the [mine] ... The permit was approved shortly after a meeting between the mine developer -- Alton Coal Development -- and Utah Governor Gary Herbert" (see press release).