BLM Releases EA that could affect future of Bonneville Salt Flats
Blue Ribbon Coalition Press Release - Oct 4, 2011

The Salt Lake Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Intrepid Potash Mine and Reclamation Plan Modification Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 60-day public comment period. The public comment period runs from September 9, 2011, to November 7, 2011. The proposed project area is located in Tooele County, Utah, near Wendover, Utah.

The EA describes the potential environmental impacts of the current mining operation and addresses future salt removal and replenishment. The EA with maps is available for review on the BLM's website.

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a unique geological formation that is also central to the history of motorsports and the industries that support motorsports. Scores of world land speed records have been set on the densely-packed remnants of a huge prehistoric lake. The area is so flat, it is possible to see the curvature of the earth. The BSF has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).

For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation and not adequately replaced. By the mid-1990s, the historic raceway had lost over 18 inches of salt crust. Originally 96,000 acres in size, the BSF has been reduced to about 30,000 acres and those lands are threatened unless the salt removed to extract potash is then returned to the BSF. The potash operation is located on federal lands leased by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 

IMPORTANT: If you have had the pleasure to visit this spectacular area and have the time to write a bit about how valuable this resource is, please do so!

Comments must be in writing (paper or electronic) and must be received by November 7, 2011. Email Comments To: ut_slfo_comments@blm.gov. Mail written comments to: Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office, Attn: Cindy Ledbetter, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119. Fax comments to: 801-977-4397.

Please reference the "Intrepid Potash Mine Plan EA" when submitting your comments.

For further information, please contact Cindy Ledbetter, Environmental Coordinator, at (801) 977-4300.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC. 

Brian Hawthorne                                           Ric Foster

Public Lands Policy Director                       Public Lands Department Manager

BlueRibbon Coalition                                   BlueRibbon Coalition

208-237-1008 ext 102                                  208-237-1008 ext 107

• The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) is a national treasure, a rare and unique resource. For motorsports enthusiasts, it is the place where hundreds of records have been set in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.    
• BLM must adopt "Alternative B" from its proposed Environmental Assessment. Alternative B establishes a permanent salt replacement program to help protect the BSF.
• Alternative B is supported by the mine operator, Intrepid, and will require a minimum one-for-one replacement of salt that has been removed for potash mining.
• The BLM has had the responsibility to manage and preserve the BSF since 1946, when the racing area's salt depth was at least 5 feet. It is now only a few inches thick. BLM must live up to its obligation to institute its own supplement program to replenish the salt.