Tell the Obama Administration: Protect Bryce Canyon from coal mining

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Dear Mr. Keith Rigtrup, I urge you to reject the proposed Alton Coal Hollow Mine expansion. The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park are iconic natural wonders that must be protected from the destruction of coal mining. The proposed mine would cause hazardous air and water pollution, disrupt critical wildlife habitat for the threatened sage grouse, expose local communities to toxic coal dust, and worsen climate disruption. The Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement predicts that expanding the mine would provide access to 50 million tons of coal over 25 years. Unleased federal coal accounts for up to 43 percent of the potential greenhouse gas emissions of all remaining federal fossil fuels, and must remain in the ground. This plan undermines President Obama’s pledge to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. Your draft environmental analysis also found that the proposal may damage or destroy unidentified archaeological sites and Native American traditional cultural properties, with similar adverse impacts to recreation, a sense of community, social well-being, and tourism-related activities. Tourism is a $6.2 billion industry in Utah that provides valuable jobs and revenue for local economies. In comparison, coal mining had a direct financial impact of only $196 million in 2007 and created very few jobs for local residents, most of which went to out-of-state specialists and drivers. For the local communities, wildlife, tourists, and climate, I urge you to do the right thing and protect the Grand Staircase Escalante, Bryce Canyon, and Utah’s public lands from the unnecessary impacts of mining, hauling, and burning federally owned coal. Please stand with the American people and reject Alton Coal's proposal. Sincerely,

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