Pub. 7 2017 Issue 3

19 MINING FOCUS boundaries of the 1.88 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument located in Kane and Garfield Counties, Utah. The proclamation creating the national monument in September 1996 resulted in the cancellation of the proposed Smokey Hollow Coal Mine located within the new monument boundaries. Preliminary reports are that Secretary Zinke has recommended boundary adjustments to the Grand Staircase. Although the final decision rests with the president, the Utah coal industry is hopeful that monument boundaries may be redrawn to allow the leasing and development of federal coal reserves within the Kaiparowitz Plateau. In summary, the early actions of the new administration have been the cause for optimism to an industry which is vital to Utah. The coal industry continues to fuel more than 70 percent of the state’s electrical energy, is valued at over $800 million and provides some 2,000 high-paying jobs, and is a significant portion of local tax bases. The decisions to lift the leasing moratorium on existing federal coal reserves, reduce regulatory burdens and consider the possibility of opening new coal reserves are critical to extending the life of Utah’s coal industry. X Denise A. Dragoo is a partner with the Salt Lake City office of Snell & Wilmer. Dragoo focuses her practice in natural resources and environmental law, including coal, water, mining, public land, and issues affecting energy-related minerals and the oil and gas industry. She serves on Utah’s Energy Advisory Council to the Governor’s Office of Energy Development and on the Board of Directors, Utah Mining Association. The early actions of the new administration have been the cause for optimism to an industry which is vital to Utah. The coal industry continues to fuel more than 70 percent of the state’s electrical energy, is valued at over $800 million and provides some 2,000 high-paying jobs, and is a significant portion of local tax bases.