The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is delaying a decision on leasing southern Utah lands to Alton Coal Development for a mine expansion near Bryce Canyon National Park. Instead, the agency plans to conduct a supplemental environmental study addressing issues raised by the public and other federal agencies.
A final decision had been expected this year, but now will be delayed until next year. The BLM said its supplemental study will address issues raised by the other agencies and 177,000 people who commented. The strip mine currently operates on private land but is seeking to expand onto public land. Salt Lake Tribune
