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Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

INTERIM COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 18, 1997 - 2:00 p.m. - Room 303 State Capitol



Members Present:                    Members Absent:
    Sen. Alarik, Myrin, Cochair                Sen. R. Mont Evans
    Rep. Bradley T. Johnson, Cochair            Rep. Jordan Tanner
    Sen. Joseph L. Hull
    Rep. Eli H. Anderson                 Members Excused:
    Rep. Craig W. Buttars                Sen. Craig A. Peterson
    Rep. Mary Carlson                    Rep. Melvin R. Brown
    Rep. Beverly A. Evans
    Rep. James R. Gowans             Staff Present:
    Rep. Tom Hatch                    Ms. Constance C. Steffen,
    Rep. Dennis H. Iverson                    Research Analyst
    Rep. Evan L. Olsen                    Ms. Jeanenne B. Larson,
    Rep. Michael R. Styler                    Associate General Counsel
    Rep. Daniel H. Tuttle                    Ms. Joy L. Miller,
    Rep. Bill Wright                        Secretary


     Note: A list of others present and a copy of the materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.


1.     Committee Business - Sen. Myrin called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m.

2.    Gypsum Mining - Mr. Brett Webster, United States Gypsum Company, stated they have operated a manufacturing plant in Sigurd, Utah since 1948 and currently have 87 full-time employees. Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral that is vital to their operation. In the 1980s his company began investigating alternative sources for gypsum, because the reserves at the Sigurd plant were declining. An area in the San Rafael Swell was identified as containing a massive deposit of gypsum. In the early 1990s they successfully negotiated the acquisition of some mineral claims. They began an exploration process working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop an environmental assessment of proposed mining operations in the area. The assessment has been completed and has identified areas requiring mitigation. The mining operation approvals are ongoing. He asked the committee to support their efforts in obtaining the necessary permits to mine the gypsum in the San Rafael area.

    Mr. Neal Mortenson, Western Clay Company, said they operate a minerals processing plant in Aurora which specializes in high purity gypsum. The operation is important to the economy of Sevier County. Mr. Mortensen said they presently have a small mining operation west of the San Rafael Swell. He noted the brightness of the gypsum there is unique. He

indicated a letter of protest from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) to the BLM regarding an application to expand the mine stated the company should not mine within lands proposed for wilderness designation by SUWA. He said the company tried to find gypsum in an alternative area suggested by SUWA, but there was a problem with the quantity, quality, and access. Therefore, the company elected to mine at their present location. He said they will be out of gypsum on their five-acre permitted area this fall. He asked the committee to support the application for mining.

    Mr. Tom Bingham, Utah Mining Association, commented that the areas proposed for gypsum mining are not wilderness study areas and yet there are several applications that have been denied on that basis. He encouraged the committee to support the proposals.

    Mr. Lee Taylor, United States Gypsum Company, said the company in the past served 54 percent of the market in Salt Lake City. They are now down to 25 percent. He asserted it is important to be able to service the community with in-state reserves.

    Rep. Carlson explained that she was not opposed to the mining but expressed her concern that she did not know enough about the land in question.

     MOTION: Rep. Iverson moved to support the efforts to obtain the necessary permits to mine gypsum in the areas in question. The motion passed with Rep. Carlson voting in opposition.

     MOTION: Rep. Gowans moved to approve the minutes of May 21, 1997. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Wright was absent during the vote.

3.    Wildlife Proclamations - Mr. John Kimball, Division of Wildlife Resources, distributed a document outlining the proclamation review process. He explained that the administrative rules coordinator determines if the existing proclamation is consistent with other proclamations, legislative changes, the Utah Code, and language required by the Division of Administrative Rules. A basic document is then drafted and sent to the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) for public review. Issues are discussed and voted on by the RACs. A rough draft is then prepared and sent to the Wildlife Board for its approval. Any action taken by the RACs must be followed by the Wildlife Board or the board is required to give an explanation why it did not follow a RAC recommendation. The rules coordinator prepares a final draft, incorporating any action taken by the Wildlife Board. The Proclamation Review Commission reviews the final draft before publishing. Mr. Kimball distributed proclamations on fishing, big game, and antlerless hunting.

     MOTION: Rep. Evans moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

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