A new air quality permit for the proposed gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon is now available for public review and comment, and we need your help!
Back in 2021 Tree Farm LLC filed two simultaneous applications with the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM); one for a 20-acre gravel pit and the other for a 600-acre gravel pit both on the same property in Parley’s Canyon. The new mine would be across from the existing Harper/Kilgore Quarry.
After considerable public pushback on the 600-acre proposal, and DOGM’s refusal to consider both the large and small mine applications at once, Tree Farm decided to pursue the smaller 20-acre project. However, Tree Farm stated its intent to eventually pursue plans for the large mine.
Following Tree Farm’s applications with DOGM, Salt Lake County passed an ordinance prohibiting new mining projects in the Wasatch Mountains. Tree Farm quickly filed a lawsuit challenging the county’s ordinance. While the dispute between Tree Farm and the county is ongoing, there have been efforts to pass legislation that would amend existing laws and give Tree Farm an advantage in its lawsuit with the county (most recently HB 355 during the 2025 legislative session).
Latest Updates
While the air quality permit is still under review, work related to the Parley’s Canyon project has continued on several other fronts. Multiple agencies and contractors have taken actions that, together, slowly inch the project forward. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happened so far:
DOGM approved the small mine application (20 acres).
- Tree Farm hired Granite Construction to oversee mining operations.
DAQ held an initial comment period after announcing its intent to approve the air quality permit for the small mine (currently paused due to the new air quality permit, see more below).
Utah Division of Water Rights and the US Army Corps of Engineers approved a stream alteration permit which allowed the Utah Department of Transportation, at the direction of Granite, to construct a frontage road to the site of the proposed mine in Parley’s Canyon.
For context, the image below shows an existing gravel mining operation in Parley’s Canyon—not the proposed Tree Farm site discussed in this post.
To our surprise, Granite submitted a new air quality permit application to DAQ in August 2025 for a much smaller operation. Specifically, the new permit reduces the total production from 1.1 million tons per year to 150,000 tons per year and includes only 6 acres of total disturbed land. Because of the smaller footprint, the new permit does not trigger the same air quality modeling requirements as the original DAQ permit. The new permit is open to public comment until January 31, 2026.
Ways To Take Action
Submit a Public Comment to DAQ by January 31st
Share your thoughts on the new air quality permit by January 31. We included some of our concerns, along with talking points below. You can view the full project file here. Send your comments to the project manager John Persons via email (jpersons@utah.gov) and be sure to include the project number in the subject line (Project N161200002). Concerns you express may include:
Improper Segmentation
Our primary concern is that Granite is segmenting its larger plans for a 600-acre mine into smaller phases to avoid having to demonstrate the true, cumulative impact of the project. Granite has publicly stated its intent to eventually pursue a large mine. Additionally, despite the new DAQ permit listing a total production that is 14% of the original permit, the amount of large equipment in the new permit (feeders, crushers, generators, etc.) remains the same. If Granite intends to only mine 150,000 tons per year, why would it need equipment capable of producing 7 times more? Is the project economically viable in its current form?
Insufficient Dust Monitoring
The nearest regulatory-grade dust monitor (PM 10 and PM 2.5) is at Hawthorne Elementary, which is over 5 miles away from the proposed gravel pit. Given the existing gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon, paired with the occurrence of downslope winds pushing dust into the Salt Lake Valley, DAQ should require fenceline monitoring to better measure fugitive dust impacts from this project. Furthermore, DAQ should require Granite to specify its months of operation so that compliance with air quality standards can be adequately assessed. (For example, Utah deals with elevated PM 2.5 levels in the wintertime. Additional PM emissions during these months could create further compliance issues).
Attend DAQ's Public Hearing on January 28th
DAQ is hosting a public hearing to receive comments and hear feedback from the public on the new air quality permit for the project. Join us at the hearing to make sure your voice is heard!
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
- Millcreek City Hall, 1330 East Chambers Ave, Millcreek, UT, 84106 (6th Floor Grandview Room)
Attend HEAL's Clean Air Lobby Day
HEAL Utah will continue to track any legislation that may impact the Parley’s Canyon project. Join us on February 24 for our Clean Air Lobby Day at the Capitol. You’ll learn about any updates related to Parley’s Canyon, along with other bills we’re tracking related to air quality. Register now!
- Tuesday, February 24 2026 (9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.)
- Elk Room, Senate Building at the Utah State Capitol, 350 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
