- BLM is reviewing a coal exploration proposal in Sanpete County.
- The public has until August 11 to submit written comments.
- This is the first national coal exploration notice issued since 2019.
Monday, July 14, 2025 –– The Bureau of Land Management announced Friday that it is seeking public comment on a proposed coal exploration project in Utah’s Muddy Creek Canyon
. If approved, this would be the first coal exploration initiative greenlit by the agency nationwide since 2019.
The proposal comes from Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, which intends to drill ten exploration holes across 9,276 acres of public land in Sanpete County. According to the Bureau of Land Management, low-impact drilling methods will be used to assess underground coal resources in the area.
“This project marks another important step in restoring commonsense access to America’s energy resources,” said BLM Acting Director Bill Groffy in a press statement. “Since April, we’ve taken a series of actions to revitalize the U.S. coal industry—supporting jobs, local economies, and energy security.”
The proposal is one of several coal-related initiatives announced in recent months. Among them are new leasing considerations in the Powder River Basin, emergency lease proposals in North Dakota, and metallurgical coal planning in Alabama. These actions are part of a broader federal initiative announced under the Trump administration to reestablish coal as a pillar of domestic energy policy.
If the Muddy Creek project proceeds, it will undergo environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. This review process will be informed by public input received during the 30-day comment window, which opened with the Federal Register notice on July 11, 2025, and will close on August 11, 2025.
How to Submit Comments.
Written comments must be submitted to both of the following addresses by August 11:
Christina Price, Deputy State Director
Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office
440 West 200 South, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Eric Beard, Geologist
Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
c/o Sufco Mine
397 South 880 West
Salina, UT 84564
The full project plan is available for public review during business hours, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BLM Utah State Office in Salt Lake City. Federal holidays are excluded.
While the Bureau of Land Management has not yet issued a determination on the project, the public comment period offers a formal opportunity for stakeholders, residents, and recreationists to weigh in.
Image:
The Muddy Creek Wilderness Study Area, via BLM website. Located in Emery County, about 30 miles south of the town of Emery, the region is known for its remote terrain, high mesas, and the dramatic canyon carved by Muddy Creek—a tributary of the Dirty Devil River. The area contains sparse vegetation, primarily pinyon, juniper, and desert shrub. The landscape is defined by steep volcanic rock formations and twisted geological features, providing panoramic views for hikers and other backcountry visitors. Local names like “The Pasture” and “Keesle Country” distinguish different sides of the canyon. Visitors to the area are advised to be fully prepared for backcountry conditions, as the region is remote and largely undeveloped.
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