BLM supports Utah’s rural economy by approving the Sevier Playa Potash Project
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FILLMORE, Utah — Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the Sevier Playa Potash Project Record of Decision (ROD) during a signing ceremony held at the Utah State Office. The project, located on BLM-managed lands in Millard County, Utah, is consistent with Executive and Secretarial Orders for increasing the availability of 35 critical mineral commodities from federal lands. The ROD and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are available on the BLM ePlanning website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/home.
The project is expected to create 275 jobs in the region during construction and maintain 175 full-time employees to operate the many facilities and structures over the 35-year lifespan of the project. Workers would be hired from the surrounding communities to support operations.
“The signing of this ROD represents eight years of coordination with cooperating agencies, consultation with Tribes, input from the public, and close coordination with Crystal Peak Minerals,” said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash. “The project could double the United States’ national production for Sulfate of Potash, strengthening our local and national economy, and increasing the local workforce in Millard County by 4.5%.”
“I am grateful to stakeholders in the private and public sectors for working together to make the Sevier Playa Potash Project a reality,” said Governor Gary Herbert. “This plan ensures that mineral development will minimize the impacts on the environment and the health of nearby communities while creating as many as 175 stable, long-term jobs in Utah’s Great Basin.”
The project proponent, Crystal Peak Minerals, holds the rights to mineral leases on 124,223 acres of public lands on the Sevier Playa in Millard County, Utah. The area contains subsurface potassium-bearing saline brines that make the site viable for potash production. Potash is primarily used as agricultural fertilizer for high-value crops like nuts and berries. The United States is one of the largest potash consumers in the world.
“The Sevier Playa Project is great news for Utah. It will have a huge impact on the local economy by creating good, family-supporting jobs,” said Congressman Chris Stewart. “It’s also exciting to see more potash being produced domestically, especially in Millard County. I am pleased to have Crystal Peaks Minerals operating in my district and am proud to be a part of today’s event.”
Copies of the ROD, Final EIS, and supporting documents are available online or at the following locations:
1) The BLM Fillmore Field Office at the above address and;
2) The BLM West Desert District Office at 2370 South Decker Lake Blvd., West Valley City, UT 84119.
For additional information, please contact Clara Stevens at 801-977-3100. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.